Music, language and fashion shape Jakartan pre-teen lifestyle<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
\"Nyokap, bokap cabut, kita nyepik ke Pim, asyik lhaa yaow !\"<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): What speech! These strange words will surely
\nraise the eyebrows of many a parent.<\/p>\n
This is a modest example of an exchange between a group of
\npre-adolescent boys and girls gathering (nyepik) at Pondok Indah
\nMall (PIM) while their mothers (nyokap) and fathers (bokap) are
\nout (cabut). There are a lot more words and phrases in the
\nvocabulary of Indonesian teenage language.<\/p>\n
Don't try to find these words in a Bahasa Indonesia
\ndictionary, they were created by teenagers for their own
\npurposes.<\/p>\n
Donna, 13, said it's interesting to use this slang language.<\/p>\n
\"We have to learn new terms almost everyday. If we don't
\nmaster the language, we are considered out of date and out of the
\ngang as well,\" said her friend Riri.<\/p>\n
Ariel Heryanto, a sociologist from the University of Satya
\nWacana, commented that slang has always been common among
\nteenagers. Word forms will change according to existing trends.
\nThe words gua (I am) and elo (you), which used to be considered
\nas language of lower-class Jakartans, have turned into official
\nwords for both teenagers and adults.<\/p>\n
\"Slang is part of modern life. It has become a lingua franca
\nthat unites all youngsters regardless of their social
\nbackground,\" Ariel maintained.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, many slang words are adopted from advertising
\non radio and TV.<\/p>\n
\"The slang words spread very fast, but they soon disappear and
\nare replaced by new ones. Teenage language is very dynamic, a
\nreflection of its users,\" said Ariel.<\/p>\n
Fashion<\/p>\n
Today's pre-teens have succeeded in drawing attention to
\nthemselves through their dress. In big cities like Jakarta and
\nBandung, this group of society seems to be everywhere, in the
\nstreets, malls, movie theaters and sport stadiums. They are bound
\nby how they spend their time, their attitude towards life, their
\npreference in leisure activities and sports. These similarities,
\nwhich are also found in their fashion and music tastes, is quite
\nintriguing because it has never been seen in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Shinta D., fashion editor of the Gadis teenage magazine, sees
\nthe current fashion trends among teenagers as encouraging.<\/p>\n
She explained that many copy the style of American rappers.
\nThey wear the obligatory accessories such as short pants or loose
\nbaggy pants, tight T-shirts teamed up with an extra-large tartan
\nor striped flannel shirts. Trendy sneakers and baseball caps are
\nalso compulsory, Shinta said.<\/p>\n
Young girls tend to imitate fashion styles worn by teenage
\nHollywood stars from TV series like Beverly Hills, Melrose Place
\nand even the Mighty Morphine Power Rangers.<\/p>\n
\"Let them wear whatever they like, but we have to give the
\ncorrect guidance,\" Shinta noted.<\/p>\n
Indonesian teenagers imitate western fashion styles because
\nthey don't have Indonesian models who represent their way of
\nlife, she said. Shinta expressed her concern over the lack of
\nmagazines that can help pre-teens state their fashion style. Most
\nmagazines concentrate on fashion for mature and established
\nwomen. Only a few local designers produce apparel for teenagers,
\nshe complained.<\/p>\n
Rudita Priyandini, fashion editor of Anita Cemerlang magazine,
\nis of the opinion that fashion trends among pre-teenagers are
\nvery inspiring and enriches the local fashion scene.<\/p>\n
\"Now they are crazy about rap or grunge, they will gradually
\nswitch to another style as they grow older,\" Rudita said.<\/p>\n
Music<\/p>\n
These young people like a wide range of music but mostly
\nfollow rap and rock.<\/p>\n
Irwan Iskandar, deputy chief editor of the popular teenage
\nmagazine Hai, commented that pre-teens and teenagers are more apt
\nto follow any changes in society as compared to the kids of the
\nl980s. The 1990s youngsters will follow any trend in fashion,
\nmusic and lifestyle.<\/p>\n
\"They do not hesitate to listen to anything in vogue. In my
\nopinion they have more self-confidence,\" Irwan noted.<\/p>\n
This group of pre-teens listen to anything easy, unlike their
\nseniors, who were quite conservative in selecting their favorite
\nmusic.<\/p>\n
\"I'll bet they will love any song that reaches the Top
\nCharts,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He went on to say that previously a teenager would faithfully
\nfollow a rock group. They would sacrifice their pocket money to
\nbuy the latest album and would defend the group if their friends
\ncriticized its music.<\/p>\n
\"When I was teenager, I remembered arguing in favor of my
\nfavorite musicians. Once we liked rock music, we closed our ears
\nto other kinds of music,\" Irwan reminisced.<\/p>\n
Budi Kusnendar, music editor of the Anita Cemerlang teenage
\nmagazine, shares Irwan's view and says that you can't classify
\nrap as teenage music because they listen to rhythm & blues by
\nBoyz II Men, Roxette's pop and rock by Bon Jovi or Nirvana.<\/p>\n
Aside from western groups, Indonesian teenagers also idolize
\nlocal musicians like Iwa. K, KLA project, Padhyangan Project and
\nDenada Tambunan, a famous local rapper.<\/p>\n
This trend, Budi explained, is clearly shown when people
\nattend a concert.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of youngsters pack every music concert, particularly
\nthose performed by foreign artists, Budi said.<\/p>\n
They went to the Run-DMC, Kriss Kross and Color Me Badd
\nconcerts because they are trendy. But, surprisingly, they also
\ngrabbed the front row seats when Sting, Chicago and Roxette
\nperformed in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Irwan added that they went to concerts to improve their social
\nstatus rather than for a love or appreciation of the music.<\/p>\n
However, Irwan admitted that now teenagers have a wider
\nopportunity to enjoy and learn about various kinds of music
\nthrough both printed and electronic media. They can see both
\nlocal ad international musicians on several private TV stations.<\/p>\n
A large selection of glossy teenage magazines and newspapers
\nprovides information on music and other items.<\/p>\n
In the past, young people only heard music on the radio
\nstations or a tape recorder. The state TV station rarely
\nbroadcasted concerts of world-class musicians.<\/p>\n
\"We should look at this trend as positive. It is lucky that
\nthese youngsters live in high-tech era that enables them to
\nobtain information on various forms of music. Let them choose
\ntheir own music to enrich their unique world,\" Irwan insisted.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/music-language-and-fashion-shape-jakartan-pre-teen-lifestyle-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}