<![CDATA[This paper is an attempt to describe the result of study on
Yabenese language choice, in Konda and Wamargege villages,
Teminabuan district, South Sorong regency, West Papua
province. It is estimated that the speakers of Yabenese
language remain 500 left. As a result of language contact with
various ethnic groups, Papua Malay language, and Indonesian
language, Yabenese people are faced with the problem of
language choice in the various fields. The result of analysis of
language choice indicates that there is language shift to Papua
Malay language. Speakers of Yabenese language from child
and teenage groups do not make use of Yabenese language any
longer in domestic field. Meanwhile, the teenage group has
only a passive command over their ethnic language. The result
of analysis on the basis of Maslow’s need hierarchy shows
that to meet all the levels of human’s need, Yabenese people
need to use another second language with wider coverage.
Fulfillment of the need, specifically physiological need, in this
study is considered the impetus of the occurence of Yabenese
language shift.
Keywords: Yaben, language choice, Maslow’s need hierarchy]]>
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