1 On the Dynamics of Glocalisation and Minority Language Conservation in Contemporary Indonesia I Wayan Arka Australian National University/Universitas Udayana Abstract This paper discusses the dynamics of glocalisation in relation to minority language conservation issues in an Indonesian context, focussing on cases in eastern Indonesia. Two inter-related types of glocalisation are distinguished (top-down and bottom-up). It is argued that from the glocal perspective, successful efforts in language conservation and advocacy must be interdisciplinary in nature, involving long-term programmes with all stakeholders. They should target the speech communities collectively and individually, empowering them as human beings through different kinds of leadership literacy, and strengthening their economic, socio-cultural and linguistic capitals. Such efforts are highly challenging given that minority groups in the increasingly competitive and glocalised modern world are weak and disadvantaged in all respects, even at the most local level. Makalah ini membahas dinamika glokalisasi dalam kaitannya dengan masalah konservasi bahasa etnik minoritas di Indonesia, dengan menyoroti kasus-kasus di Indonesia timur. Ada dua tipe glokalisasi yang dibedakan: glokalisasi ke bawah dan glokalisasi ke atas. Dari sudut pandang glokal, diargumentasikan bahwa keberhasilan usaha konservasi dan advokasi bahasa minoritas memerlukan pendekatan interdisipliner, dengan program jangka panjang yang melihatkan semua pemangku kepentingan. Targetnya haruslah masyarakat tuturnya, memberdayakan mereka sebagai manusia, agar melek dalam berbagai jenis kepemimpinan, dan memperkuat kapital ekonomi, sosiobudaya dan linguistis mereka. Usaha yang demikian memiliki tantangan tersendiri dan tidak ringan karena, dalam dunia yang semakin terglokalisasi dan semakin kompetitif, masyarakat minoritas biasanya sangat lemah dan kurang beruntung dalam segala level, bahkan pada level yang paling lokal sekalipun. Keywords: globalisation, glocalisation, minority groups, language conservation, socio-cultural capital, linguistic capital, language advocacy Kata kunci: globalisasi, glokalisasi, kelompok minoritas, koservasi bahasa, capital sosio-kultural, kapital linguistic, advokasi bahasa. 1 Introduction * This paper discusses the dynamics of glocalisation in contemporary Indonesia, focussing on a range of issues related to the wellbeing of minority languages in eastern Indonesia, mainly in Merauke and the surrounding areas in west Papua. Glocalisation, a term originally used in a business context and popularised by Robertson ([1994]2012), refers to a process that offers endless opportunities by recognising the increasing significance of the local context in the global setting. An example of this in an Indonesian context is seen in cases where big international companies like the McDonald’s restaurant chain adapt their menus to meet local market needs, such as offering a menu set with rice and chicken. We also see evidence of glocalisation in language-related domains; internationally prominent news agencies like CNN and the BBC have Indonesian channels targeting Indonesian audiences to maximise their global reach because while many Indonesians are fluent in English, Indonesian is the language of the media in Indonesia. Like globalisation, the concept of glocalisation has been applied beyond economics. It has relevance in education (e.g. Brooks & Normore,(2010). In this paper, I argue that it also has relevance in the emerging field of language documentation and conservation. It is widely * I gratefully acknowledge the support of the following grants, which have enabled me to do research reported in this paper: ELDP IPF0011 (2004-7), ARC Discovery Grant (DP10100307), ANU Research Development Grant 2012. I thank my Rongga and Marori consultants for their help with the data, and also my local RAs (Frans Seda in Flores, and Agustinus Mahuze in Merauke) for their hard work and constant help throughout my research.