Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Language Development and Fostering Agency has introduced the Makassar–Indonesian–English Digital Dictionary, part of a broader effort to protect and revitalize regional languages through digital technology and youth engagement. “Young people are our focus because they possess the strongest means of expression with their mastery of information technology. We aim to ensure that their mother tongue does not become foreign in their daily lives,” Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti said on press statement, Thursday, emphasizing the importance of reaching younger generations.The launch was held under the Campus Enters School program, involving university students in language preservation initiatives. Agency Head Hafidz Muksin highlighted the role of mother tongues in shaping national identity.“By 2025, the Language Agency has revitalized 120 languages across Indonesia and compiled 228 regional language dictionaries as part of efforts to safeguard cultural identity,” he said.Developed in collaboration with BASAsulsel Wiki, the Makassar Digital Dictionary contains 4,358 vocabulary entries. Unlike conventional dictionaries, it functions as a “living dictionary,” allowing users to propose new entries that are verified by expert teams before inclusion. To attract learners, the application offers translations in Makassar, Indonesian, and English, along with multimedia pronunciation videos and interactive quizzes. The agency also signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Makassar city administration to advance language and literature development. Makassar City Education Office Head Munafri Arifuddin underscored the dictionary’s role in strengthening local identity amid globalization. Following the launch, elementary and junior high school students tested the app and expressed enthusiasm for its vocabulary search and quiz features.