Language
Language
Language is like living matter, depending on the situation in
which it is used, it can change in just a matter of months.
Language also reflects the on-going situation of a nation. For
instance, how government officials use Bahasa Indonesia is of
particular interest. I consider the way they use the language
reflects the current national sociopolitical situation.
The recent tendency of Indonesian terms they use obviously
reveals how a language is manipulated. Just look at the phrases
like pembinaan politik (political guidance), pelecehan politik
(political harassment), rekayasa (manipulate), kambing hitam
(scapegoat), khilaf (mistaken), oknum tidak bertanggung jawab
(irresponsible person), salah kutip (misquote), organisasi tanpa
bentuk (formless organization), etc. which a couple of years ago
were not popular phrases. Given the context of these phrases, one
can sense what is happening.
We all know that Indonesians are keen on euphemism. There is
actually nothing wrong with euphemism as long as it is used
proportionally.
We have pantun which is usually used to say something privily.
Poets also use euphemism in their works. However, their
euphemisms have significant meanings and are usually written from
the heart.
On the contrary, by taking advantage of euphemism, politicians
turn the meaning of a detonation sour, meaningless and ominous.
Though a language seems to be alive, it is basically a dead
matter. As an instrument, language cannot do anything but keep
changing according to its users and its situation. Some time ago
we were not allowed to use words such as penguasa (the power) or
buruh (laborer) because those words have different connotations
according to the government. Therefore, we have terms such as
bahasa kekuasaan (the ruler's language), bahasa hukum (legalese),
or bahasa politik (political language) in order to distinguish
certain terms from everyday language.
Euphemism or whatever can kill the real meaning of Indonesian
words/phrases. We have already created chaos in Bahasa Indonesia.
Shall we debase Indonesian in years to come?
WAHYUNI RIZKIANA KAMAH
Jakarta