FROM LOCAL VOCABULARY TO DIGITAL LITERACY: DEVELOPING A TORAJA CULTURAL GLOSSARY FOR INDONESIAN LANGUAGE ENRICHMENT

Abstract

The diversity of regional languages constitutes an important part of Indonesia’s linguistic heritage. In the midst of technological development and changing communication patterns among younger generations, documenting regional vocabulary can no longer rely solely on printed resources but needs to be developed in accessible and digitally relevant forms. The Toraja language contains a rich vocabulary associated with social life, cultural practices, the natural environment, traditional objects, community activities, and local knowledge. This article aims to analyze the potential of Toraja cultural vocabulary as a resource for enriching Indonesian and to formulate a framework for developing a digital glossary that can support language and cultural literacy. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach based on documentary analysis and literature review. Data sources included linguistic literature, documentation of Toraja vocabulary, publications concerning dictionary digitization, and official documentation related to regional vocabulary inventory and Indonesian vocabulary enrichment. The analysis focused on identifying vocabulary characteristics, the relationship between local terms and Indonesian, and the components required for developing a digital cultural glossary. The findings indicate that Toraja cultural vocabulary functions not merely as a collection of lexical units but also as a representation of cultural knowledge and identity. A digital glossary should therefore include the local term, its meaning in Indonesian, category, context of use, example sentence, cultural information, and, where possible, audio and visual documentation. Such a model can expand access to local vocabulary while positioning Indonesian as a medium for understanding and documenting regional cultural knowledge. A digital cultural glossary can thus serve as a bridge between regional language preservation, Indonesian vocabulary enrichment, and the strengthening of digital literacy.