Take a look at conversations in class groups, offices or communities.\nWhen someone wants to ask a question, they rarely state their intention\ndirectly. Instead, conversations often begin with phrases such as \u2018izin\nbertanya\u2019 (permission to ask) or \u2018maaf mengganggu\u2019 (sorry for the\ninterruption).<\/p>\n
These expressions have become something of an unwritten rule in the\ndigital communication of Indonesian society.<\/p>\n
When you think about it, this phenomenon is quite interesting. In a\ndiscussion forum, asking a question is perfectly normal. There is no\nrule requiring someone to seek permission before asking. Yet the habit\npersists, even among the younger generation who grew up with digital\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
From a sociolinguistic perspective, this shows that language\nfunctions not only to convey information, but also to maintain social\nrelationships. Before stating their intention, the speaker tries to show\nrespect to their interlocutor. Word choice becomes a way to build an\nimpression of politeness and appreciation for others.<\/p>\n
Holmes (2013) explains that politeness in language is a strategy for\nmaintaining social relationships and avoiding potential discomfort in\ncommunication. As such, expressions like \u2018izin bertanya\u2019 or \u2018maaf\nsebelumnya\u2019 (apologies in advance) are not merely conversation openers,\nbut markers of the norms of courtesy that live within society.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, this habit is not always found in the communication\ncultures of other countries. In many English-language forums,\nparticipants generally ask questions directly without any preceding\nrequest for permission. This difference shows that the way we use\nlanguage is strongly influenced by the cultural values that have\ndeveloped in each society.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, respecting the interlocutor is often considered just as\nimportant as the content of the message itself. As a result,\nconversation openers become a part of communication that is almost never\nabandoned.<\/p>\n
However, the development of digital communication is beginning to\nbring about change. Some users, particularly the younger generation,\nhave become more concise. They simply write their question without a\nlengthy preamble, especially when speaking with peers. Even so, when\ncommunicating with lecturers, superiors or older people, the expression\n\u2018izin bertanya\u2019 is still retained.<\/p>\n
This means that what is changing is not the underlying value of\npoliteness, but rather the way language is adapted to the interlocutor\nand the communicative situation.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon reminds us that language is always moving with the\ntimes, but it does not simply abandon the culture that has long lived\nwithin society. Amid increasingly rapid communication, Indonesian\nsociety still leaves room to show respect through word choice.<\/p>\n
Perhaps that is why, even in the era of instant messaging, we still\noften begin our conversations with two simple words: izin bertanya.<\/p>\n
References<\/p>\n
Holmes, J. (2013). An introduction to sociolinguistics (4th ed.).\nRoutledge.<\/p>\n
Wardhaugh, R., & Fuller, J. M. (2021). An introduction to\nsociolinguistics (8th ed.). Wiley.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-do-we-always-write-excuse-me-may-i-ask-1784987516", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }