Letters from expats

Letters from expats

To me the "Your Letters" column is not only interesting but
instructive as well. This means that features of knowledge and
information can be reaped and are beneficial to enriching our
minds and outlook. Were it not for the interesting "Your Letters"
column, I could have easily switched and subscribed to any other
local English newspapers for a change.

Expatriates who like reading glimpses of characteristic
Indonesian problems may welcome the recent conspicuous trend of
publishing translated versions of letters derived from Indonesian
newspapers. The column of The Jakarta Post of Sept. 25, 1995, for
instance, published seven such letters. No single letter from an
expat was found.

Of course, we must appreciate any course taken by the
editorial staff. But since the possessive pronoun "Your" in "Your
Letters" implies that the letters come from the readers of the
Post, I think that letters from expatriate readers should still
be welcomed as a treat, especially for Senior High School
students learning English composition.

The purpose of my comment here is only to convey appreciation,
for I mostly enjoy reading letters from expatriates who express
their upright views and comments on various aspects of social
problems according to their perception. What's more, often
characteristic idiomatic expressions are found in their writing,
which are not apt for literal translation. Language can be
translated, but things like euphony and idioms are not for
translation. They must only be learned by heart.

Further, what is most interesting to me is exemplified by the
letter of a Mr. William Corr of Osaka, Japan (the Post, Sept. 10,
1995) who wrote a short comment on foreign land lease, drawing
lessons from Ireland's land law and practice.

Those letters from expats commenting on traffic and pollution
problems are also instructive. As regards to idiomatic
expressions found in their writings, these definitely provide a
source of learning advanced English composition. Sometimes, the
way of thinking or the frame of mind adhered to by expatriate
writers are reflected in their letters.

I hope that the expats who have the ability to contribute
invaluable views through their letters to this column will not be
taken aback or constrained by perhaps the occasional conflicts or
by the editing policy, as once commented upon by some readers,
causing them to discontinue writing to this column. This would be
a loss to Indonesian youngsters who are keen on learning ways of
expression in English in the frame of international exchange of
views.

With this letter I wish to appeal to our friends among the
expatriate community to continue with their meaningful
contribution to this enlightening readers' forum, without
bothering too much about the editing policy or practice, which is
only a matter of discretion or a right on the part of the
editors.

Name and address

known to editor