Foreign words in Indonesian language<\/p>\n
Having read some opinions in the \"Your Letters\" section of The
\nJakarta Post recently on the use of Sanskrit, Malay or any other
\nforeign and domestic languages, I would like to give my comments.<\/p>\n
Bahasa Indonesia is not a stagnant language, it is a dynamic
\none. It is still developing and enriching the vocabulary through
\nthe absorption of other languages. That is why it is not
\nsurprising when we find words that are borrowed from foreign
\nlanguages, especially those concerning technical terms.<\/p>\n
I read with interest Mochtar Buchori's article entitled Is it
\nterms of expression or performance that counts? (The Jakarta
\nPost, June 14, 1995). I can understand that the use of Javanese
\nin the Indonesian language is excessive. Don't blame the people
\nfor that. The experts in the Center for Development of Bahasa
\nIndonesia should do something about it. Also, we are all aware
\nthat most powerful figures in the government are Javanese. And
\nthere are many ethnic groups in Indonesia, but the motto: Binneka
\nTunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), of which I am proud, has united
\nthe whole nation.<\/p>\n
Respectful of others' opinions, I also would like to make some
\nsuggestions.<\/p>\n
* Do not check the influx of foreign languages into Indonesian
\nbecause the language is still developing and the other languages
\nare needed to enrich its vocabulary.<\/p>\n
* The use of foreign languages should not be banned. We are no
\nlonger concerned only with ethnical and regional communities but
\nwe now belong to the international community, and we don't want
\nto be called \"an isolated state.\"<\/p>\n
* Using Indonesian words as a substitute for foreign
\nexpressions is sometimes inappropriate, simply because we don't
\nhave the exact equivalent in Indonesian for the foreign
\nterminologies. For example, \"toll roads\" (Jalan tol?),
\n\"interchanges\" (jalan melingkar?), \"computer\" (komputer?). Shall
\nwe consider this: \"What is in a name? That which we call a rose
\nby any other name would smell as sweet.\" These Shakespearean
\nwords suggest that names are not important. What is important is
\nthe nature and character of the thing itself. However, this is
\nnot always true, especially when it comes to a name of a well-
\nknown product. It can even be dangerous.<\/p>\n
A. BAIHAQI<\/p>\n
Kediri, East Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-words-in-indonesian-language-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }