Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk, born on 24 October 1824 in Malacca, was a linguist who left a valuable legacy in linguistic studies in the archipelago. He is known as one of the founders of modern linguistics for several languages spoken in the region, including Malay, Javanese, Sundanese, Toba, Lampung, Kawi (Old Javanese), and Balinese. His work has made a major contribution to the understanding and documentation of the rich linguistic culture of the region.
Life and Contributions
Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk grew up in a multicultural environment in Malacca, which gave him sensitivity to the diversity of languages and cultures around him. He studied theology in the Netherlands, but his deep interest in the languages of the archipelago led him to focus his attention on linguistic studies.
During his life, van der Tuuk investigated various languages in the archipelago, collecting data, publishing dictionaries, and translating classical literary works into Dutch. His contribution to mapping and understanding the structure of Indonesian languages became an important foundation for modern linguistic studies in the region.
Final Tribute
On 17 August 1894, Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk died in Surabaya, leaving an unforgettable mark in the linguistic history of the archipelago. His grave is the final resting place for a linguist who dedicated his entire life to understanding and documenting the region’s rich languages.
Legacy and Influence
Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk’s legacy in the study of Indonesian linguistics continues to be appreciated and studied to this day. His works provide a solid foundation for the development of language studies in this region, as well as enriching understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity in the archipelago.
His valuable footprint has inspired the next generation to continue to explore and appreciate the diversity of languages in Indonesia and beyond. Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk will always be remembered as one of the pioneers in efforts to understand and preserve the linguistic heritage of the archipelago.