On respect of the national language
On respect of the national language
My earlier studies on Indonesia and continued interest and experience in this country have persuaded me to comment on your editorial as published in The Jakarta Post on Saturday, March 18, 1995. The editorial, entitled Regard for our language expressed concern over the "corruption" of the Indonesian language due to the usage of foreign -- particularly English -- words, phraseologies in, and its influence on, bahasa Indonesia.
The Indonesian Real Estate Association and agents as well as government officials were identified as among those thus considered to have shown disrespect for the language, supported by illustrations. Reasons for false pride and misconceived prestige have been given for the preference for those foreign western linguistic forms and influence.
My observation and experience in Indonesia certainly confirmed the validity of the points made. However, I believe that the problem is not just that of a language. It goes beyond that. As my observation and experience clearly show, it has very much to do with the trend among Indonesians, in general, to pride themselves in adopting western values. You can clearly observe this trend from among the youngsters -- particularly those from well-to-do families -- to their elders, including, unfortunately, influential people and opinion leaders.
The strong inclination of the youngsters mentioned to go for, for example, western mode of dress, food, entertainment and to imitate the western lifestyles are indications of this trend. The increasing popularity in Indonesia of the newly introduced basketball game, which is well-known to be very popular, particularly, in America as compared to, for example an Asian- based game, known as sepak takraw with which Indonesia, in fact has been associated for a much longer time is another specific illustration of this trend. So also the great popularity of the so-called Los Angeles-modeled Pondok Indah Mall which is known for its strong American orientations.
More than just the usage of western, that is English, language forms and influences in bahasa Indonesia, I have also sadly noticed another emerging trend, namely one which can be interpreted to mean showing more respect for the English language over bahasa Indonesia. I can recall, at least, two of my own personal experiences in this regard. The first was in an interaction with an Indonesian staff-member of an establishment in Jakarta in connection with my prior appointment with his boss, the second one with an Indonesian member of an organizing committee on an academic seminar outside Jakarta to which I have been invited to represent my own establishment. On both occasions, I regret to say, I received little or no attention at all when I initially approached the parties mentioned in bahasa Indonesia. I certainly found this very strange as I was not only qualified in the language but could also boast of being able to speak it fluently. But the situation on both occasions completely changed when, subsequently, I resorted to English, in which I also happened to have been qualified and able to speak fluently, despite my non-western physical features.
A similar trend could also be observed among my hosts in many functions I have attended here. The preferential treatment and attention they extended to the western guests as compared to the Asian ones and those with Asian physical features like me is obvious. And, it is also observed that such preferential treatment had even been extended to those selected guests who, in fact, were technically inferior in position to some of the Asian and Asian looking ones.
The TV is, of course, another good reflection of the existence of this trend in this country. This is clearly illustrated by the greater popularity among, at least, the younger generation of the private TV programs as compared to those of TVRI. Obviously, such popularity has been due to no other reason than that of the greater western orientation of the former's programs compared to those of the latter.
It is clear, therefore, that the preference for the usage of the western, that is English, linguistic values and its influence in bahasa Indonesia is part of the overall trend to go for western values among the people in this country, in general. To rectify it, therefore, would necessitate rectifying the overall trend.
I have taken the trouble to give my views in this letter in the belief that they could serve as useful feedback for those looking at the problem that your editorial has raised. In doing so, I feel that my views as a foreigner -- though, certainly, no stranger to Indonesia -- who therefore, are not overly emotional on this issue, could, perhaps, be useful to take into consideration.
SAMFORD K. EDWARD
Jakarta