Language Preservation through Public Signage: Analyzing the Linguistic Landscape of the Indonesia-Timor Leste Border

The border between Indonesia and Timor Leste presents a rich and complex sociolinguistic landscape, shaped by centuries of historical, cultural, and economic interactions between communities on both sides. This study investigates the vitality of local languages in the border regions using a linguistic landscape approach, with a particular focus on the presence and function of public signage in urban centers and along cross-border routes. The research aims to explore three core aspects: (1) the presence and status of local languages in public spaces, (2) the influence of cross-border mobility and interaction on language use, and (3) the broader implications for language policy and efforts at cultural preservation. Fieldwork was conducted in the Indonesian towns of Kefamenanu and Atambua, as well as at the cross-border posts, where both government and privately installed signs were analyzed. The findings reveal that Indonesian overwhelmingly dominates public signage, while local languages such as Tetum, Dawan, and Kupang Malay are notably underrepresented despite their continued use in daily conversation and cultural expression. Factors such as urbanization, internal migration, national language policy, and educational priorities have contributed to the reduced public visibility of these regional languages. The study argues that public signage is a powerful tool that reflects broader linguistic hierarchies and power relations. To revitalize and sustain local languages, it recommends the integration of bilingual or multilingual signage, the incorporation of local languages in educational curricula and tourism programs, and collaborative cross-border initiatives aimed at promoting shared linguistic and cultural heritage.