Sanskrit language (2)

Sanskrit language (2)

From Republika

Bahasa Indonesia is my mother tongue. This means that I have been speaking this language since my childhood. I love and am very proud of speaking Bahasa Indonesia. It is a beautiful language, especially if it is well and correctly spoken. That's is why I enthusiastically welcome the campaign of using Bahasa nicely and properly. Also I express my support for the efforts to change the foreign names of buildings, billboards and other foreign words, into the Indonesian language.

But I have some questions which concern me.

* What languages are regarded as foreign? What about the use of Sanskrit and Kawi (Old Javanese)? They may sound beautiful and dignified, but are they officially accepted as part of Bahasa Indonesia? And do the general public understand the meaning of the words? They seem, at least to me, to be more alien than, say, English.

Slogans, mottoes and terminologies should be clearly understood by the people who use them, shouldn't they?

* Does the use of proper and correct Indonesian language mean that it should be pronounced in the correct way, free from the influence of any local dialects?

* What is the difference, in meaning, between the words persatuan and kesatuan. I appreciate any explanation from readers, particularly those who have authority and expertise in this issue.

ANITA ABDER-RACHMAN

Jakarta