Chinese language as an identity viewed by the younger Chinese ethnics in Indonesia

The political environtment of Indonesia’s New Order regime and the reformation period has brought various views amoung Chinese community in Indonesia on how use Chinese language. The aim of the study is to examine the importance of using Chinese language as an identity among Chinese community in Indonesia as perceived by the younger generation of the community. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative research method. The findings reveal that there are ethnic Chinese respondents who are not able to speak Chinese, conceive Chinese language not as an ethnic Chinese identity. However, the results show that not all respondents that are able to speak Chienese agree that Chinese language to be viewed as an ethnic Chinese identity.