Spatial Patterns and Toponymic Complexity in Sepaku: A GIS-Based Analysis of Linguistic Variation in Indonesia’s Future Capital

Authors

  • Nab'han Musyaffa

    Department of Geography, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Depok 16424, Indonesia
  • Yulius

    Research Center for Ecology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor 16911, Indonesia
  • Taqyuddin

    Department of Geography, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Depok 16424, Indonesia
  • Aprizon Putra

    Research Center for Ecology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor 16911, Indonesia
  • Nani Darheni

    Research Center for Language and Literature Preservation, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Imelda Yance

    Research Center for Language and Literature Preservation, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Ramdhan

    Research Center for Geoinformatics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung 40135, Indonesia
  • Mudjijono

    Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Hasanuddin

    Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Bambang Hendarta Suta Purwana

    Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Wasita

    Research Center for Archaeology of Environmental, Maritime, and Sustainable Cultural, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Oetami Dewi

    Department of Sociology, Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), Jakarta 13220, Indonesia
  • Ani Rostiyati

    Research Center for Archaeology of Environmental, Maritime, and Sustainable Cultural, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 12710, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i12.11804
Received: 3 September 2025 | Revised: 13 October 2025 | Accepted: 14 October 2025 | Published Online: 18 November 2025

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the spatial patterns and associations between language variation and place-name morphology in Sepaku Sub-district, the core area of Indonesia's future capital, Nusantara. Using two main approaches in this study, namely spatial pattern analysis and spatial association analysis. Spatial pattern analysis maps language use in Sepaku, particularly through kinship terms and toponymic morphology. Linguistic data were collected through interviews and adapted observations, while toponymic data were gathered across all villages and administrative units in the study area. Dialectometric analysis (Guitter’s classification) was applied to measure inter-point divergence and delineate isoglosses, syllabic structure analysis (CV/CVC/VC patterns) characterized toponyms, and a Geographic Information  System (GIS)-based. The results reveal four dominant language zones, namely Balik (north), Javanese (east), Paser (west), and Banjar (south), that are shaped by historical migration and state-led transmigration. Toponymic complexity varies spatially, where disyllabic names dominate the north and southwest, tri- to tetrasyllabic names prevail in the east and center, and polysyllabic (>4 syllables) names concentrate in the south. A clear spatial co-location pattern was identified between linguistic zones and toponymic structures, indicating that naming patterns reflect underlying cultural and linguistic diversity. The study concludes that Sepaku's linguistic and toponymic diversity highlights the cultural interplay between indigenous and migrant communities. Policy implications of incorporating linguistic heritage into Nusantara's planning through the protection and use of local toponyms and the recognition of multilingual communities will help preserve the region's pluralistic identity amid rapid development.

Keywords:

Cultural Language; Toponymic; Dialectometric; Linguistic Landscape; Nusantara Capital City

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How to Cite

Musyaffa, N., Yulius, Taqyuddin, Putra, A., Darheni, N., Yance, I., Ramdhan, M., Mudjijono, Hasanuddin, Suta Purwana, B. H., Wasita, Dewi, O., & Rostiyati, A. (2025). Spatial Patterns and Toponymic Complexity in Sepaku: A GIS-Based Analysis of Linguistic Variation in Indonesia’s Future Capital. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(12), 1264–1276. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i12.11804

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 12 (December 2025): In progress

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Copyright © 2025 Nab'han Musyaffa, Yulius, Taqyuddin, Aprizon Putra, Nani Darheni, Imelda Yance, Muhammad Ramdhan, Mudjijono, Hasanuddin, Bambang Hendarta Suta Purwana, Wasita, Oetami Dewi, Ani Rostiyati

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