Indonesian 'Webster' feels gratified
Tony Ryanto, Contributor, Jakarta
In the story of the development of Bahasa Indonesia, Anton M. Moeliono plays a prominent role.
The 74-year-old professor made a name for himself back in 1972, when he convinced policymakers to modify Indonesian spelling to conform with modern languages.
Although the policy initially met resistance, especially from the older generation, time has proven its effectiveness.
Then in 1988, when Indonesians were commemorating the 60th anniversary of their national language, Moeliono, then the head of the Center for the Development and Promotion of Indonesian, released Grammar of Standard Indonesian and The Large Indonesian Dictionary. Both in their third edition now, these two books have become main references for those studying the Indonesian language.
"Somehow, I feel like I have paid my debt to the nation. And I must admit that I am particularly proud of these two achievements. The government, too, is similarly gratified," he said.
Between 1973 and 1977, when TVRI was the sole television station in the country, Moeliono hosted a weekly language talk show. Over the course of approximately 200 shows, he would get his message across: "Our language can be developed in the way we want it to develop."
Moeliono closely cooperated with his fellow linguists from neighboring Malaysia in his efforts.
"We (Indonesian and Malaysian scholars) agreed on about 300,000 terms covering some 30 disciplines. Sadly, though, while Malaysia made good use of them, Indonesia did not," he said.
Indonesian has its roots in Malay and, as such, the two languages cannot be separated, he said.
In multiethnic Indonesia, where hundreds of dialects are spoken, Bahasa Indonesia has become an effective glue for holding the nation together and an instrument for modernization.
One way to elevate the status of Indonesian would be to attach a greater importance to its study, he said.
"In the case of Indonesian, we are too lenient. There is a tendency to upgrade a D to a C, or a 5 to a 6, so that a student does not fail merely because of Indonesian. As long as we do this, our language will not enjoy the status to which it is entitled."
"My dream is to see language training and education become more effective, because language is the foundation of education as a whole. Regrettably, this calls for an overhaul of the present method of teaching. If we cannot find the right local people to do it, we should not hesitate to recruit experts from overseas."
People in the media also play a vital role in language development because the media is highly influential among readers, listeners and viewers. "They should be able to serve as a teacher of the language."
Moeliono attended the five-year HBS elite high school during the Dutch colonial period.
During this relatively short period, normally between the ages of 12 and 17, students had to study Dutch, English, German and French. In the case of English, students had to study its literature, including the works of William Shakespeare, which is impossible to do at local high schools nowadays.
Moeliono originally started out wanting to study mathematics and natural sciences, with the goal of becoming a doctor. But he changed his mind and went to study Indonesian at the School of Literature at the University of Indonesia, graduating in 1958.
After obtaining his master's in general linguistics from Cornell University in the U.S. in 1965, he did postgraduate work at Leiden University in the Netherlands from 1971 to 1972, and the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii in 1977.
Next was an assignment at the Research School for Pacific Studies at the Australian National University from 1980 to 1981. He received a doctorate in sociolinguistics from the University of Indonesia in 1981.
Moeliono is well aware that, at least in certain countries, being a linguist and making a lot of money do not necessarily go together. Which is why his wife, Cecilia Soeparni Josowidagdo, a veteran lawyer, had this to say to her husband: "Don't worry. Go ahead. Carve a name and a career for yourself and let me do the earning."
Despite his busy schedule, Moeliono has many interests outside of linguistics, and he has never lost his sense of humor.
He is an ardent viewer of Korea's Arirang Channel, particularly the made-for-TV dramas and comedies. "I am amazed at the ability of the Koreans to develop a simple plot and story into a full one-hour program without losing the power to capture the interest of viewers of various nationalities."
His dedication to linguistics has earned him accolades at home and abroad. Among the collection of medals presented to him are the Satyalencana Karya Setia Republik Indonesia (1983); Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory Magnus, Vatican (1993); Honorary Doctor of Letters, Melbourne University (1995); Knight Officer of the Oranje Nassau Order, the Netherlands (1996).
Currently serving as the chairman of Atma Jaya University's Applied Linguistics Study Program, Moeliono still looks fit and energetic.
Looking back, he has this to say about his career: "I'm pleased with what I have become. Let's say I've been very lucky getting the opportunity to take up studies at the world's leading universities.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm entitled to being a little haughty. But, of course, this is wrong."