Horas bah?

Horas bah?

Having read Aloysius Haryono's letter Javanese language (The
Jakarta Post, June 1, 1995) in response to a reader's opinion
about his mother tongue, I think it is not fair for him to use a
mistaken expression from another local language as a comparison.

Mr. Haryono, you wrote that the Batak say Horas bah when they
meet each other. Are you sure that this Batak expression is used
in the correct situation and conveys the right meaning? I know
that some people (non-Batak) like to use Batak expressions but
they are biased, which sometimes make me feel downhearted.

In fact, like Javanese, the Batak language also has words or
phrases that reflect politeness and are used to communicate with
respectable people, like parents, parents in-law, brothers and
sisters-in-law. It is unlikely that they would greet them by
saying Horas bah (horas is never followed by bah). They would
consider you rude if you said it that way. We would say Horas
Amang (God bless you, Father), Horas Inang (God bless you,
Mother), Horas Lae (God bless you, Brother) etc. This expression
is used to wish somebody well-being, happiness and peace.

D PARLINDUNGAN SIANIPAR

Jakarta