Developing literature<\/p>\n
Dozens of Indonesian novelists, short story writers, poets,
\nplaywrights and critics are currently holding a series of
\nmeetings in Bukittinggi and Kayutanam, two West Sumatran towns
\nwhich have given birth to a number of intellectuals and writers,
\nto discuss the country's literary development.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the rapid physical and economic development which
\nIndonesia has achieved during the past few decades, Indonesia's
\nliterary development moves at a snail's pace.<\/p>\n
When pondering this issue, the most obvious conclusions we
\noften reach are: the self-censorship system introduced by the
\nauthorities hampers writers' creativity; the public's
\nindifference to standard literature has given little impetus to
\nthe country's literary development; and that the technological
\nadvancement has shifted the social values within society.<\/p>\n
Each conclusion is credible to some extent. But the most basic
\nreason, we believe, is the lack of appreciation of the country's
\nlingua franca, Bahasa Indonesia, on the part of the general
\npublic.<\/p>\n
It is public knowledge that many of our university graduates
\nor even the elites do not have a good mastery of the national
\nlanguage, despite their respected skills and status. This is
\nevident when they speak in public, not to mention when they have
\nto put their ideas in written form. More often than not, they use
\nungrammatical Bahasa Indonesia for the simple reason that they
\nare not aware of, or pay little attention to, the importance of
\nstandard language as the most efficient means of communication
\nand expression. Careless use of the national language has become
\nprevalent among the public as there is no sanction given for
\ntheir mistakes.<\/p>\n
Given the public's attitude toward the national language, it
\nstands to reason that Indonesians can hardly expect encouraging
\nprogress in the country's world of literature unless correct
\nusage and appreciation of Bahasa Indonesia is improved. Language
\nis the basic feature of literature, which is part of the
\nbarometer of a country's culture and civilization.<\/p>\n
Besides enhancing public awareness of the importance of the
\nnational language, the government should also relax its tight
\ncontrol on the local literary creations, although, at times, they
\nmay seem critical of the authorities. The continued stifling of
\nartistic creations will only bring setbacks to the ever advancing
\nworld civilization.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian literary circles, on their part, have to work
\nharder and create more standard works to prove they deserve
\ngreater respect and appreciation since they are the ones who can
\ndepict natural beauty, social ills and injustices as well as
\nhuman joys and sorrows in far better ways than any man on the
\nstreet could.<\/p>\n
Obviously, government support is also needed to promote local
\nnovelists and poets in the international world by publishing
\nEnglish versions of the artists' works, which actually are part
\nof the country's cultural assets. Ironically, the translation and
\npublication of local works has been undertaken by the private-run
\nLontar Foundation.<\/p>\n
It is our hope that the Indonesian writers' six-day meeting in
\nWest Sumatra, which ends today, will emerge with a stronger
\ncommitment to producing more literary works rather than just
\ncomplaining about government censorship and disputing the budget
\ndistribution of the meeting.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/developing-literature-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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