Dutch still popular language among Jakartans

Dutch still popular language among Jakartans

By Marieke van Heek

JAKARTA (JP): It's been more than half a century since Dutch
troops left Indonesia. Yet, the 350 years of colonialism still
influences the country. Even now, for some, Dutch is a language
to show a social status and good development and is known as a
language for the elite older generation.

Besides that, Dutch is also an important source language in
certain fields. Law students and historians, for example, need
Dutch to study and to do research because many law reports and
history books are written in Dutch.

In 1981, the Erasmus Language Center began language courses in
Jakarta. Since then, more than 20,000 students have made use of
the Erasmus Language Center's services. Equipped with modern
facilities, the center uses Computer Supported Education, which
makes it attractive for students to study here.

Despite the crisis, the number of students using the center
has not decreased. In January, over 500 students started a new
semester. A student must pay Rp 250,000 per semester.

Those who want to develop a special reading skill can take a
20-week course, which costs Rp 400,000. In this course, which is
popular among law students and historians, they learn to read
Dutch reports and books.

The center also offers other classes. Students can apply
individually or in a group and decide for themselves when to
start the course. The course is either for 50 hours or 20 hours
of studying a week, for one semester. The cost depends on the
number of students in one class. This course, offering a basic
knowledge of Dutch, is recommended for students who want to go to
the Netherlands on vacation or for study.

"I would like to go to the Technical University of Delft," a
student said when asked why she was studying Dutch.

According to Herman Poelman, the center's language counselor,
about 10 percent of the center's students are studying Dutch to
go to the Netherlands.

Students also include children and those who are more matured.
But why do children want to learn the language?

"I don't know," said an 11-year-old boy shrugging his
shoulders.

Apparently, children are there because of their parents, who
believe in the good reputation of the Dutch language. Besides, it
is the language of their grandparents.

Indonesia's older generation learned the language during the
Dutch colonial period in Indonesia. This group wants to maintain
their knowledge of Dutch and they like talking to other Dutch
speakers.

When the Erasmus language courses first started, most teachers
were Indonesians who learned Dutch during the colonial period.
Now, there are also many younger teachers who studied the Dutch
language and literature at the University of Indonesia,
complemented by additional courses at Erasmus.

Kees Groeneboer, consultant at the University of Indonesia's
Dutch Department, believes that the language will remain popular
among locals even though it is not an international language.

"Learning Dutch is the approach for Indonesians to enter
Europe," he said.

He said they prefer using the Netherlands as a gateway to
Europe because the Dutch language, with its colonial appeal, is
something familiar and reliable for Indonesians. Therefore, an
Indonesian might choose learning Dutch as well as, or instead of,
learning English.