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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