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