Developing literature

Developing literature

Dozens of Indonesian novelists, short story writers, poets,
playwrights and critics are currently holding a series of
meetings in Bukittinggi and Kayutanam, two West Sumatran towns
which have given birth to a number of intellectuals and writers,
to discuss the country's literary development.

Contrary to the rapid physical and economic development which
Indonesia has achieved during the past few decades, Indonesia's
literary development moves at a snail's pace.

When pondering this issue, the most obvious conclusions we
often reach are: the self-censorship system introduced by the
authorities hampers writers' creativity; the public's
indifference to standard literature has given little impetus to
the country's literary development; and that the technological
advancement has shifted the social values within society.

Each conclusion is credible to some extent. But the most basic
reason, we believe, is the lack of appreciation of the country's
lingua franca, Bahasa Indonesia, on the part of the general
public.

It is public knowledge that many of our university graduates
or even the elites do not have a good mastery of the national
language, despite their respected skills and status. This is
evident when they speak in public, not to mention when they have
to put their ideas in written form. More often than not, they use
ungrammatical Bahasa Indonesia for the simple reason that they
are not aware of, or pay little attention to, the importance of
standard language as the most efficient means of communication
and expression. Careless use of the national language has become
prevalent among the public as there is no sanction given for
their mistakes.

Given the public's attitude toward the national language, it
stands to reason that Indonesians can hardly expect encouraging
progress in the country's world of literature unless correct
usage and appreciation of Bahasa Indonesia is improved. Language
is the basic feature of literature, which is part of the
barometer of a country's culture and civilization.

Besides enhancing public awareness of the importance of the
national language, the government should also relax its tight
control on the local literary creations, although, at times, they
may seem critical of the authorities. The continued stifling of
artistic creations will only bring setbacks to the ever advancing
world civilization.

The Indonesian literary circles, on their part, have to work
harder and create more standard works to prove they deserve
greater respect and appreciation since they are the ones who can
depict natural beauty, social ills and injustices as well as
human joys and sorrows in far better ways than any man on the
street could.

Obviously, government support is also needed to promote local
novelists and poets in the international world by publishing
English versions of the artists' works, which actually are part
of the country's cultural assets. Ironically, the translation and
publication of local works has been undertaken by the private-run
Lontar Foundation.

It is our hope that the Indonesian writers' six-day meeting in
West Sumatra, which ends today, will emerge with a stronger
commitment to producing more literary works rather than just
complaining about government censorship and disputing the budget
distribution of the meeting.