The Faculty of Humanities Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI) proudly hosted the 2025 International Congress of the Linguistic Society of Indonesia (KIMLI) from July 16–18, 2025, at UI Depok Campus. Held in a hybrid format, this year’s KIMLI carried the theme “Indonesian Linguistics: Past, Present, and Future”—a reflective space to explore the journey of Indonesian linguistics while anticipating future challenges amidst globalization.
KIMLI is a biennial scientific event initiated by the Linguistic Society of Indonesia (MLI), a professional organization that has brought together researchers, lecturers, students, and language enthusiasts since 1975. Since the first congress in Malang in 2009, KIMLI has evolved into a prestigious forum for linguists across Indonesia and around the globe. More than a platform for sharing the latest research, KIMLI fosters sustained collaboration among institutions.
KIMLI 2025 began with two pre-congress workshops held in-person on July 14–15, 2025. The Language Documentation Workshop took place at the Auditorium of Building IV FIB UI, featuring speakers from Leiden University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Nusa Cendana University, and Universitas Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Quantitative Approaches in Linguistics Workshop was held at the Auditorium of Building I FIB UI with speakers from Udayana University and Universitas Negeri Solo.
The plenary sessions of KIMLI 2025, held at the Auditorium of Building I FIB UI, featured a number of prominent speakers. Highlights included a session by Prof. Dr. Multamia RMT Lauder (Universitas Indonesia) titled “Toponymy and Linguistic Landscape in Indonesia,” moderated by Harni Kartika Ningsih, Ph.D.; a plenary by Prof. Jufrizal (Universitas Negeri Padang) titled “Tansi in Sawahlunto: Its Linguistic Status and Tendency of Development,” moderated by Dr. Filia; and a session by Nurenzia Yannuar, Ph.D. (Universitas Negeri Malang) titled “From Streets to Screens: Navigating Linguistic Landscapes in Digital Spaces,” moderated by Dr. Sri Munawarah. Other plenaries included a presentation by Jermy Balukh, Ph.D. (Nusa Cendana University) on “Word Class Gradation in Dhao Language of East Nusa Tenggara,” and a joint presentation by Prof. Asako Shiohara (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) and Yanti, Ph.D. (Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia) titled “The Discourse Function of the Pronominal Subject Marking in Lingua Franca Malays in Eastern Indonesia: Agreement or Anaphor?”
In total, KIMLI 2025 featured 16 plenary speakers from countries including the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia. These experts presented insights on language documentation, socio-cultural dynamics in linguistics, and quantitative methodologies in language studies.
A total of 148 selected presenters delivered their research findings across eight panel sessions. Most came from institutions in Indonesia, followed by presenters from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Poland. The hybrid format was once again adopted this year to ensure inclusive participation, especially for international attendees or those unable to join in person.
Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities UI, welcomed the hosting of KIMLI 2025 at FIB UI. He emphasized the pivotal role of the Department of Linguistics—the largest department at FIB UI, with nearly 60 faculty members. These lecturers come from various language programs, producing research on a wide range of linguistic topics. Their research spans from construction grammar and applied linguistics to interdisciplinary studies. The Dean encouraged the department to intensify research and innovation efforts and to publish findings in high-quality national and international journals, in alignment with the University Rector’s mandate for impactful research.
Distinguished guests at KIMLI 2025 included Dr. Katharina Endriati Sukamto, Chair of the Linguistic Society of Indonesia; Mr. Hafidz Muksin, S.Sos., M.Si., Head of the Language Development and Fostering Agency; Prof. Dr. Gufran Ali Ibrahim; and Prof. Dr. Effendi Kadarisman.
The successful hosting of KIMLI 2025 by FIB UI is a testament to Universitas Indonesia’s commitment to advancing adaptive, collaborative, and impactful linguistic scholarship—strengthening the role of Indonesian language and culture on the global stage. The next KIMLI congress is scheduled to take place at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in 2027. (CA)
