Orthographic Instability in Acehnese Vowel Representation

Abstract

The Acehnese language has a rich vowel system that cannot be fully represented by the standard Latin script. To capture its range of sounds, Acehnese writing often employs diacritical marks such as ô, ö, è, é, and special forms like oe. However, the absence of standardized orthographic guidelines has led to the inconsistent use of these forms across social media, textbooks, print media, and public signage. This study examines how Acehnese phonological complexity is represented through contemporary orthographic practices and how such variation relates to literacy practices and language maintenance. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach combining orthographic analysis and phonological analysis. Data were collected from textbooks, printed publications, public texts, public signage, and other written materials representing current Acehnese writing practices. The collected forms were analyzed in relation to previous descriptions of the Acehnese vowel system and their grapheme–phoneme relationships. The results show that vowel writing system in the Acehnese language has been represented inconsistently: /i/ appears as i or ie; /u/ as u or ue; /e/ and /ɛ/ as e, é, è, ee, ée, èe, ei, while rounded vowels /o/, /ɔ/, and /ʌ/ appear as o, ô, ö, oe, oé. These variations reflect the interaction among phonological complexity, dialectal diversity, historical writing practices and the absence of consistent orthographic conventions. Rather than representing merely spelling differences, Acehnese orthographic variation illustrates broader negotiations between sound representation, literacy needs, and language maintenance. The study highlights the importance of developing future orthographic orientations that consider phonological transparency, pedagogical usability, and social acceptance among language users. Such efforts may contribute to more consistent educational materials, literacy practices, and the long-term preservation of Acehnese as a regional language.