Reforming our speech<\/p>\n
Language and culture may or may not be among President B.J.
\nHabibie's strong points. Those of us who happen to remember his
\ntirade against rap music some years ago may have their doubts.
\nBut few of us would disagree with the aptness of his recent call
\nfor officials to stop sugarcoating unpleasant realities with
\neuphemisms and to start speaking bluntly. The call was ironically
\nmade during the opening of the seventh congress of the Indonesian
\nlanguage at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
\"A group of people suffering from starvation is manipulatively
\ndescribed as facing only 'food shortages'. The price hike in a
\ncommodity or service is explained as a 'price adjustment',\" the
\nPresident mentioned as examples. Many more could be cited. A
\nperson arrested, for example, is said to have been \"put in
\nsafety\". Crops never fail, they are merely \"not very successful\".
\nInsurgent groups are invariably described as \"security disturbing
\nbands\", regardless of their aspirations and political leanings.<\/p>\n
From the problem solving point of view, one of the most
\ndamaging euphemisms is the word oknum, or bad apple, a term used
\nto describe an unscrupulous individual acting in his or her own
\ncapacity. By using this word, government and military
\ninstitutions effectively seek to absolve themselves from any
\nwrongdoing committed by their personnel. Thus, although it is
\ncommon knowledge that many policemen extort money from road users
\n-- often by fabricating violations -- the police force cannot be
\nheld responsible for failing to clean up its ranks because only
\nindividual oknum are involved, not the institution itself.<\/p>\n
The bureaucratic custom of concealing undesirable facts and
\nrealities behind a growing lexicon of euphemisms always benefits
\nthose in power, and never helps the powerless. Many contend that
\nthis manipulative use of the language is designed to preserve the
\npower of those at the helm of the state and the bureaucracy. To
\nstate an unpleasant reality bluntly might reflect badly on those
\nwho should be responsible for preventing, or at least correcting
\nthe failing which lead to it.<\/p>\n
In his speech earlier this week, Habibie correctly remarked
\nthat the behavior of those using the language in this way needs
\nto be reformed. In part, the prolific use of euphemisms in the
\nlanguage of politics and government upholds the status quo. On
\nthe other hand, Indonesians' strong preference for euphemisms is
\na peculiar cultural idiosyncrasy -- the heritage of a feudal past
\nwhich has led to excessive fear and respect for those in power.<\/p>\n
Regardless of what encouraged the practice, the tradition of
\ndressing unpleasant facts up in euphemistic phrases is not to the
\nbenefit of modernization and democratization, with their pressing
\ndemands for transparency. Changes are necessary if the Indonesian
\nlanguage is to become an effective tool of communication,
\nlearning and governance in the next century.<\/p>\n
This will involve changing our outlook to bring it in to step
\nwith democratic changes that are taking place all around us. This
\nmay take time, since old habits die hard. In the meantime,
\neducators, the government and especially the media can all do
\ntheir bit to promote a more straightforward and transparent use
\nof the Indonesian language.<\/p>\n
Judging by past progress toward this goal, all of this may be
\neasier said than done. But by scything through the layers of
\njargon and euphemism that shroud our official's statements, the
\nmedia could make a valuable contribution to the movement toward
\ndemocracy. It is a job well worth attempting.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reforming-our-speech-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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