'Use foreign languages in the proper context'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Use the national Indonesian language with pride.
\nAfter all, 190 million people are using it, Minister of Education
\nand Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro says.<\/p>\n
\"We should be proud when using Bahasa Indonesia,\" Wardiman
\nsaid while elaborating on his plan to launch a nationwide
\ncampaign to use the national language correctly.<\/p>\n
The minister, speaking after meeting with President Soeharto
\nat his Jl. Cendana residence, warned, however, that the national
\nlanguage campaign should not lead to discrimination against any
\nother foreign language.<\/p>\n
Using foreign languages in their proper context and at the
\nright time and place, he said, could also advance one's knowledge
\nand career.<\/p>\n
\"If I'm studying medicine, then I'd have to learn and use
\nEnglish. If you're studying technology, you would have to learn
\nEnglish, French or German,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the use of foreign phrases, an area in which
\nWardiman's office is also culpable in introducing terms such as
\n\"link and match\", the minister said most of these phrases have
\ntheir Indonesian equivalents.<\/p>\n
\"`Link and match' in Bahasa Indonesia is terkait dan sepadan,\"
\nhe said. He admitted that it might take some time to popularize
\nthe Indonesian phrases once the foreign terms had gained wide
\nacceptance.<\/p>\n
\"Just look at the world canggih. It took six years before the
\nword gained acceptance,\" he said of the Indonesian term for
\n\"sophisticated\".<\/p>\n
Wardiman said the national language campaign was created to
\ninstill an awareness of the need to use Bahasa Indonesia properly
\nand correctly. \"It's like driving a car, we have to be our own
\npolice. We have to avoid violating the rules.\"<\/p>\n
He said he had already discussed the campaign with a number of
\npeople influential in the field of language, including the
\nleaders of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).<\/p>\n
\"The press has a broad influence on the use of language,\" he
\nsaid. \"Now, it's up to the PWI leaders to send the message to
\ntheir members.\" (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/use-foreign-languages-in-the-proper-context-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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