Language Attitude

Language is a mental attitude or feelings towards the position of its own language or language of others (Kridalaksana, 2001:197). In the Indonesian language attitudes word can refer to the body shape, the upright standing position, behavior or gestures, and actions or action taken based on the view (establishment, beliefs, or opinions) as a reaction to the existence of a thing or event.

Attitude is a psychological phenomenon, which usually manifests in the form of action or behavior. Attitudes can not be observed directly. To observe the attitude can be seen through the behavior, but various studies show that what appears in the behavior does not always indicate attitudes. Vice versa, one's attitude is not always reflected in his behavior.

Circumstances and the attitude formation process is not far from the state language and the attitude formation process in general. As with the attitude, the attitude is also the language of mental events that can not be observed directly. Language attitudes can be observed through the behavior of speech-language or behavior. But in this case also apply provided that not every speech behavior reflects the attitude of the language. Likewise, language attitudes are not always reflected in the behavior of speech. The difference between language and parole (de Saussure, 1976),
then the relationship between attitudes indirectness of language and speech behavior becomes increasingly clearer. Language attitudes tend to refer to language as a system (langue), whereas the said behavior is more likely to refer to the use of concrete language (parole).

Triandis (1971) argue that attitude is a readiness to react to a situation or event encountered. This readiness can refer to the "behavioral attitude". According to Allport (1935), attitude is a mental readiness and nerves, which are formed through experiences which provide direction or influence of the dynamic to the person's reaction to all the objects and circumstances relating to that attitude. While Lambert (1967) states that attitudes consist of three components, namely the cognitive component, affective component, and conative components.

The explanation of these three components as follows:

1. The cognitive component relates to knowledge about the nature around and the idea
     which is usually the categories used in the process of thinking.
2. Components of affective judgments regarding the issue either, like it or not, to
      something or a situation, that person is said to have a positive attitude. If it is instead, it 
      called a negative attitude.

 3. Components conative attitudes or acts as a "final decision" reactive to a state of
      readiness.

Through these three components, people usually try to guess how a person's attitude toward a situation at hand. The third component of this attitude (cognitive, affective, and conative) is generally associated with closely. However, often the experience of "fun" or "unpleasant" from any person in the community led to the three components of the relationship was not consistent. If all three components are consistent, predictable behaviors then it shows an attitude. But if not consistent, then in that case the behavior can not be used to determine attitude. Many experts say that the behavior does not necessarily indicate an attitude.

Edward (1957) says that attitude is just one factor, which is not dominant, in determining behavior. Oppenheim (1976) can determine the behavior on the basis of attitude. While Sugar (1967) based on his research concludes that the behavior is determined by four main factors, namely attitude, social norms, habits, and effects that may occur. Of the four factors it is said that the habit is the most powerful factor, while the attitude is the weakest factor. It is thus clear that the attitude is not the only factor that determines behavior, but the most decisive behavior is habitual.

Garvin and Mathiot (1968) establishes three characteristic attitude of languages, namely:
1. Loyalty Language (Language Loyalty) a language that encourages the community to
    maintain its language and if necessary to prevent the influence of other languages.
2. Pride of Language (Language Pride) which encourages people to develop the language
    and use it as a badge of identity and community cohesion.

3. Awareness of language norms (Awareness Of The Norm), which encourages people to
    use language with care and courtesy is a huge factor influence on the conduct of
    activities using language (language use).

These features are presented Garvin and Mathiot these are the traits of a positive attitude toward language. A positive attitude is the attitude of enthusiasm for the use of language (the language used by the group / speech community where he resides). Conversely, if the characteristics that have disappeared or weakened from a person or a group of self speech community members, it means a negative attitude towards a language has been swept away, or groups of people. The absence of passion or drive to maintain the independence of language is one marker of a negative attitude, that language loyalty is weakening, which could continue to be lost altogether.

REFERENCES

Abdul Chaer, Leonie Agustina. 2004. Sosiolinguistik Perkenalan Awal. Jakarta: PT Rineka Cipta.

Harimurti Kridalaksana. 2001. Kamus Linguistik. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Mansoer, Pateda. 1990. Sosiolinguistik. Bandung: Angkasa.

Nababan, P.W.J. 1986. Sosiolinguistik Suatu Pengantar. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia.

Suwito. 1983. Pengantar Awal Sosiolinguistik Teori dan Problema. Surakarta: Henari Offset Solo.

http://www.google.com-sosiolinguistik-sikap bahasa.

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