Cabinet Secretary discusses with Yovie-Raffi on making Indonesian language global

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, along with Presidential Special Staff Yovie Widianto and Presidential Envoy Raffi Ahmad, held a discussion on several strategic issues, including strategies to make the Indonesian language global.

Teddy stated that the discussion with Presidential Special Staff for the Creative Economy Yovie Widianto and Presidential Envoy for Youth Development and Performing Arts Workers Raffi Ahmad was productive, with an emphasis on strengthening cross-sectoral coordination. The discussion session lasted approximately two hours at the Office of the State Secretariat, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta.

“One of the main points discussed was the proposal to position the Indonesian language not only as a communication tool, but also as creative capital and a source of national identity that can drive growth in the creative economy,” said Teddy when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday, explaining the content of his meeting with the President’s special staff and envoy on Wednesday afternoon (18/3).

Teddy continued that the Indonesian language as the nation’s identity and self must be able to go global, particularly through media such as arts, films, and music.

He then gave the example of the Korean language, which is now global thanks to the influence of K-Pop music and films.

“For example, South Korea continues to introduce several words in the Korean language in the arts, such as saranghae (translation: I love you, ed.). In Mandarin, for example, ni hao (translation: hello, ed.). Xiexie (translation: thank you, ed.),” he said.

Therefore, the Indonesian language also has the same opportunity to be introduced to the global audience through films, music, and other cultural products.

“From hundreds of thousands of words in the Indonesian language, there must be one or two words that go global. Through music, films, and arts. We spread the influence of Indonesian culture and language to the international world,” said Teddy.