Negative attitude in language

Negative attitude in language

Mr. Nandang Rahmat of Padjadjaran University stated that the
dominance of the English language on Bahasa Indonesia has been so
significant that the latter may lose its identity and finally
erode. What is more, the Indonesian culture may soon be
contaminated with foreign ideology (Pikiran Rakyat, Sept. 16,
2000).

This statement, in my opinion, is too narrow minded and may
lead to negative sentiments on the teaching and learning of
English. Mr. Rahmat even said that the use of English
terminologies implies that the speakers of Bahasa Indonesia have
become slaves to the English culture and ideology which is more
cruel than physical colonization in this era.

I would like to remind Mr. Rahmat of the true phenomena.
First, as far as I know there is no single language in this world
that develops within the boundary of its own linguistic system
alone. Note that language is dynamic in the same way as its
culture -- which is not static. Since both language and culture
are dynamic, they cannot escape from language contact and shift.
Second, in the era of globalization, cultural influences in the
embodiment of linguistic elements seems to be inevitable. How can
we avoid not using the language of computer, for instance, whose
lexical items are borrowed relatively freely. In this context, a
linguist, Ronald W. Langacker (1973) convinces us that a common
cause of lexical borrowing is the need to find words for new
objects, concepts and places.

Further, Langacker inserts that the paths of lexical borrowing
reflect to a certain extent the paths of cultural influence.
Hence, I here suggest that instead of looking at lexical
borrowing in the Indonesian language negatively, we had better
judge it positively and regard it as complementary.

How will Bahasa Indonesia be if it maintains its lexicon
purely in Malay or in other local dialects. Note that Marzurek et
al (2000) in his book Education in Global Society, has reminded
us of his valuable comparative study that current events are such
that all societies and their citizens must become very
knowledgeable about the world beyond national borders. This means
that keeping only our world of language and culture for everyday
purpose will not be sufficient unless we wish to live in
exclusion.

ODO FADLOELI

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