Indonesian-Chinese dictionary

Recently, Gramedia in cooperation with Peking University launched a new Indonesian-Chinese dictionary, which claims to be the most complete Indonesian-Chinese dictionary available. It is so complete that even chemical elements are included. I was so excited, and even more so knowing that the launching was attended by its author/compiler from Peking.

I had a chance to go through the dictionary when I visited a Gramedia bookstore. However, my excitement turned to disappointment. The dictionary is not based on Hanyu Pinyin romanization, which means that the translation for Indonesian words are in Chinese characters. This dictionary is definitely not for beginners. A beginner would not be able to use this dictionary. Although I speak one Chinese dialect, I found the dictionary less useful than my English-Chinese dictionary with Hanyu Pinyin romanization published by Longman.

I feel bad that such a complete Indonesian-Chinese dictionary, with years of hard work to compile from both Indonesian and Chinese linguists, does not include Hanyu Pinyin romanization in it whereas I know that it has been successfully applied in Singapore and the People's Republic of China.

ADRIANUS HIYUNG TJUNG

Jakarta