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