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