Role of language may be overstated

JAKARTA (JP): The role of the Indonesian language in unifying the nation may have been overstated, a political scientist said yesterday.

Dede Oetomo, a staff lecturer at Airlangga University in Surabaya, told a seminar that Bahasa Indonesia should not be considered the main catalyst in unifying the state, but rather one "agent" in the unifying process.

Without scoffing at the importance of Indonesian, Dede argued that it was used only as the medium for discourse on unity. "Viewing it with the clear head of a linguist, the discourse could have actually been implemented in another language."

The discourse expounded was one of solidarity, egalitarianism and camaraderie, Dede said. "Maybe what is more important is the kind of discourse used which could invoke people to rise up against the oppressors."

In his presentation at a seminar on "Indonesia 2020, the Economic, Social-Cultural and Political Scope," Dede said the use of Bahasa Indonesia as a state language was a natural development since it had been widely used as an intermediary language by all ethnic groups.

He pointed out that up to the end of the 19th century, the Dutch colonial rulers strictly maintained control of their language and, therefore, Melayu, the root of Indonesian, became the common language of the indigenous people.

The Indonesian language received a boost in 1928 when the country's youth met in Jakarta and proclaimed a mutual nationhood and language. The role of Indonesian in the country is thus exalted as a language of unity.

Though careful not to deny the significance of the national language in the early nationalist movement, Dede questioned the simplistic slogan of it being an unifying language.

He questioned such a billing since Bahasa is widely used by both nationalists and separatist movements throughout the country.

"We also have to realize that separatists trying to break themselves from the unitary Republic of Indonesia, not in East Timor, but those such as the Free Aceh Movement or the Organization of Free Papua, all used the Melayu language or what they even call Bahasa Indonesia," he said.

Because of this, Dede asserted the need to more clearly define the meaning of a unifying language.

"It can't be taken for granted," he insisted.

A sense of nationalism should not be weighed by language alone, but by the spirit contained within its people.

"Nationalism doesn't need to be carried out through just one language," he said while pointing to Singapore as an example where the wide use of English does not imply that politics there is not nationalistic.

With the celebration of the country's golden anniversary, the provincial government of Jakarta is spearheading a major campaign to Indonesianize the names of hotels, housing estates and entertainment centers. (mds)