Indonesian 'Webster' feels gratified

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."