Computerization of Local Language Characters; An Innovative Model for Language Maintenance in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The objective of this study is to provide innovative model for the approach of language preservation. It is necessary to maintain indigenous languages in order to avoid language death. Script applications for indigenous languages are one of the solutions being pursued. This script program will facilitate communication through writing between speakers of indigenous languages. Additionally, the study illustrates the implementation of the Lontara script (Bugis-Makassar local language letters and characters). This script application is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). This study employed the research and development (R&D) approach. Six stages are followed in this R & D study: 1) doing a requirements analysis to determine the viability of Bugis-Makassar indigenous languages in everyday life and also to determine ways to retain them 2) designing and constructing Lontara scripts with hypertext-based applications, 3) producing Lontara scripts with hypertext-based applications, and 4) validating the hypertext-based applications through one to-one testing, small and large group testing. 5) Lontara application revision; and 6) Lontara application as a finished product. This product is designed to be used in conjunction with other interactive applications.