Good evening.
Great to be here.
I started to restudy Bahasa Indonesia in 2006.
As previously told, I made Twitter account in 2006.
But it wasn`t that which made me learn Bahasa Indonesia.
My writing activity on Wikipediaů
using Bahasa Indonesia that made me restudy it.
At the moment, I was fluent in two languages.
English and computer programming language.
Since I was a computer and my boss or my surroundingů
was Belgium with the result I spoke better in English.
When I was lost to Bahasa Indonesia Wikipedia,
I immediately realized thatů
my writing skill in Bahasa Indonesia was poor.
Yes, I can speak in Bahasa Indonesia. We use it daily.
But being Indonesian doesn`t guaranteeů
we can speak or write in formal Bahasa Indonesia.
To speak like this is very difficult.
Not to mention, as a computer programmer,
I didn`t feel like speaking in front of other. Much less speakingů
Talking to colleagues was indolent.
It`s better to talk to computer.
Well, when Iů
wrote on Indonesian Wikipedia, I saw the light.
Why I was better in foreign language compared to Bahasa Indonesia?
I restudied it. Autodidact.
What I`ve learnt, I share it on Twitter.
Many ask, ôhow come I manageů`
`to answer questions for hours on Twitter?`
I, back then it was okay, but starting a year ago,
Every time I am on Twitter,
I spend 1-2 hours to answer all the questions.
Why I do it? The reason is very simple.
When I studied Bahasa Indonesia, I had no one to ask question to.
It was hard in 2016.
You wanted to find reference to Board of Language,
It didn`t have, wellů
it had a Twitter account, but rarely active.
Therefore, I learnt by myself. I tried to find it.
Why `Andaö has to be capitalized? Why `saya` doesn`t?
Why `kamu` doesn`t? why allů.
base form words that begin with KPST is meltedů
Except `to have`? why is that? Why there areů
`mengaji` (to recite) and `mengkaji` (to examine)? what is the difference?
It`s seldom for us to say `we are reciting this lesson.`
That`s two words from the same base form, kaji,
But one becomes `learning Quran`
The other one become `learning about something else.`
Well, those things are intriguing.
it sparks curiosity. Why that? At the end,
That not-well-informed mind that makes peopleů
Skeptical. `just ignore Bahasa Indonesia.
It`s better you learn English. The references are easier to get.`
But it you notice,
I seldom fixing mistakes. I am not grammar nazi whoů
fix all mistakes. It`s not like that.
What I do is telling this is the right one.
This is according to the principles. If you follow it, please. If you don`t, it`s fine.
There`s also a person asked, `when talking on Twitter,`
`should you use standardized Bahasa Indonesia?` my answer is no.
It`s like going to a cafÚ.
We chat with a friend, `Hi! How are you?`
`How are you today?` your friend will stare at you.
Bahasa Indonesia should be well and right.
Well means it suits the context.
Right means it suits the principles.
There are universal principles. It stays the same everywhere you go.
For example, `separated `di` and joined `di`,
Even though we use it on Whatsapp and on formal writing, it`s the same.
The word `di sana` (over there). Whether we write it on Whatsapp,
As well as in writing like some reports,
or any formal report, it`s stays two words.
No scenario where in Whatsapp it`s one word.
`Never mind. It`s just Whatsapp.` No!
Capitalization, for instance. Capitalization at the beginning or a sentence. Okay.
That, sometimes, there are people who chooseů
to stay with small letters. But,
There is nothing wrong if we use capital letter on Whatsapp, isn`t it?
We write name of a place, because it`s Whatsapp,
Jakarta isn`t written with capital letter. It`s okay.
But I choose to use capital letter.
Today, what I want to share to you,
in brief, since we only have little time.
This is, first.
There are some facts and history of Bahasa Indonesia we need to know.
Why I bring this forward? Because, out of sight, out of mind.
People often say, Bahasa Indonesia is not as cool as foreign languages.
I think it`s not Bahasa Indonesia that is not cool.
We`re the one who cannot learn Bahasa Indonesia rightly.
Bahasa Indonesia`s glossary is rich. Why weů
used to say,
`Pak, meetingnya dicancel.` Instead of `Pak, rapatnya dibatalkan` (Sir, the meeting is canceled).
We are not used to it. That`s what I am working on.
Standardized language doesn`t mean rigid.
We can use various language instruments to be flexible.
That shows our identity as an Indonesian.
What for we speak foreign language that is now ours?
While we know we lose in quality compared to foreigners.
It`s better to learn our own language. Master those hundred thousand glossaries.
In the latest of The Great Dictionary of the Indonesia Language,
Indonesian language glossaries are 110 thousand. Plenty.
Lejar. Legap. Lejas. You`ve never heard it, haven`t you?
Rudin. Those are great glossaries,
That we seldom hear or use. We could delve it.
Indonesian language came from Malay language enrich from various sources.
Almost all languages absorbed from different languages.
English seems to have plenty vocabularies.
They actually absorbed many of it from Roman, French.
Renisilado, an Indonesia man of letter,
wrote a book titled `9 0f 10 Indonesian words are foreign.` 100 00:06:41 --> 00:05:43 Why is that? Because that`s true.
Almost all of vocabularies came from Sanskrit,
Dutch, Tamil.
There are so many resources of Indonesian language.
Good or bad. For me, it`s good.
Why? That way, our glossaries are rich.
Then, one that is special to Indonesia,
In Indonesia, our culture is transitional culture from spoken to written.
Our written culture is relatively new. Not old.
Then? What is the consequence?
The varies of formal and informal in Indonesian language are very different.
We cannot say `kamu` to our dad, right?
But in English, we can use `you` to anybody.
That`s a weakness and also the strength of Indonesian language.
Every language has its own weakness.
Next, if we look thru history.
When was Indonesian Language born?
It came from Malay language. You can sayů
It was born on May 2 1926. The first Youth Congress.
The one who came up with the term of Indonesian language,
Back then it was called Malay language, was M. Tabrani.
What was the impact?
Back then, the Youth of Indonesia,
came from various ethnic.
Selebs ethnic, Java ethnic, Sumatra ethnic.
At that moment, the spoke two languages. The ethnic language and Dutch.
During congress, they discussed. What could bring them together.
Then they were like `Okay, let`s use Malay language.`
That Malay language, M. Tabrani called Indonesian language.
The term `Indonesia` that brought the youth together.
Afterwards, between...
Since the beginning ofů
20th century up to now,
We have undergone five four times spelling alterations.
The first one is Van Ophuijsen in 1901. He`s dutch.
He just tried to standardize the spelling of Malay language.
Then in 1947. Politic was the motive as we just had the independence.
It was Soewandi`s.
1972, it was Official Indonesian Spelling System as we`ve known it.
And maybe what not many people have known,
That we have a new system. PUEBI.
General Guidance of Indonesian Spelling. We don`t use EYD anymore.
Indonesian language for us, actually is a heritage.
Indonesian language is the unifier of our nation.
Not all nations have a gift like ours.
Just take a look at our neighbor. Singapore.
They have four languages.
So, in every national ceremony, 148 00:09:40 --> 00:04:45 they have to speak in Indian, Mandarin, English and Malay.
We only need one. I have friends.
They are doctors. As a temporary employee all over Indonesia,
they don`t have to be worried.
Because they know, they could speaků
in one language that every Indonesian understand.
That`s a heritage we have to be grateful for.
Then, many people saidů
Indonesian language is easier to learnt than others.
Right? Maybe that`s exaggerated.
Relatively easy to learn. Why is that?
First, the forming of word in Indonesian is very simple.
Unlike Arabic that has 15-word variations.
To be mentioned to female and male is different in Arabic.
Indonesian language is simple. Everything the same.
Then, we don`t use tenses.
In English we have to differentiate. When we use `do`, when we use `did`.
We say Indonesian language is not simple.
Why `mempunyai` (to have) has variation? Different from other?
Think, to memories 600 irregular verbs,
did we willing to do that? We did.
English has apples, but also has oxen.
We don`t hesitate to learn that. Why just learningů
`mempunyai` (to have) and `mengkaji` (to examine)? Those are the only variation.
Other than those, Indonesian language is pretty consistent.
Next, we don`t have gender.
French, German has gender. Difficult.
Next, we also don`t have different emphasis.
Vietnamese, Chinese, I mean Mandarin,
has different meaning due to different emphasis.
Indonesian language is so simple. Just to tell one is angry or not.
It sometimes hard to distinguish. Especially for Batak people.
Next, we use roman alphabet.
It`s easier for people because,
The majority of people on the world use Roman alphabet in writing.
We make things easy for people to learn Indonesian language.
Then what is also pretty important, we have consistent pronunciation.
Take a look at English language. The letter O has many pronunciations.
Sometimes it resembles O, sometimes A, U. Different ways.
In Indonesian language, O is O. Probably E that has slightly different.
There`s a diacritic mark. For Javanese, there are acute and grave.
You know the different pronunciation between `lele` (catfish) and `lelet` (plod)?
Those are different. `Lele`, `lelet`.
Notice the different? `Lele`, `lelet`.
Then, the letter F. Indonesian people cannot say V.
Try to pronounce `Ivan`. Certainly, most people say it with F.
Ivan. My friend who`s from Bandung says `Ipan`.
But, generally, our pronunciation is easy.
This is because an Indonesian say it so we can act affected.
These are two inclinations I see in Indonesian language today.
First, it certain, the pride of using Indonesian language is faded.
Second, the skill of Indonesian language is declining.
There are several proves for these.
For the first one, look at the banners on the street.
The more unfamiliar it says, the cooler it is.
But it doesn`t always like that. It`s fine. I am not an anti-English.
But, when we have Indonesian language thatů
or great Indonesian`s vocabulary, why don`t we use it?
Then from the second one,
To be honest, I just realized thatů
language skill is important when I wrote on Wikipedia.
Between 2006 till 2008,
I had a cushy job.
I went to the office, 8-10 hours what I did was writing on Wikipedia.
There are about 60 thousand articles I`ve submitted on Indonesian Wikipedia.
Those that sharpen the most my writing skill.
Thus, between 2009 till 2013,
I was appointed to be the editor of Google Indonesia.
Every night, there were about 20 thousands I had to stare.
That also has sharpened my skillů
my carefulness in spotting writing mistakes to be exact,
Whether the pride or the skill is declining.
Those are what I try to lift up thru social media.
I want Indonesian people proud to use Indonesian language.
Indonesian language is not less cool compared to English.
The problem is we`re the one who cannotů
speak or write in great Indonesian language.
These one...
Language mistakes that I seeů
60 percent Indonesian people can differentiate ů
the separated `di` and joined `di` I`ll stop being fussy.
Everyone confused seeing this. This is a basic mistake.
Whereas it very easy. Well, not very easy. But the point isů
There are several ways to differentiate them.
I have written some tips. Joined `di`ů
at the beginning, forms passive verb.
Meaning it has an active verb.
Separated `di` shows places. If you see `di ů`,
it means located at. The antonym is be going to
It`s easy to distinguish these to.
Try to substitute them with `me` and `ke`.
If you can change it with `me` it`s passive verb.
If you can change it with `ke`, it`s demonstrative pronoun. it`s separated.
I have to admit, some words are chameleon.
It can be passive word. 243 00:15:48 --> 00:14:50 As well as demonstrative pronound.
I give you example. `dibalik` (to turn).
`Dibalik` uses `me` orů
separated? ` ke`. I mean, joined or separated?
It`s two. `Dibalik` means to turn around,
that`s passive verb. It`s joined.
`Di balik` which is demonstrative pronoun for place,
change it with `Ke balik`. Meaning, the back side.
This one as such. Often used as a joke.
`you can pray at small mosque.`
Of course you can. `Di langgar` means at the small mosque.
It`s allowed. The one on the right okay.
These are the language mistakes I see the most.
Second, since Indonesian people love animal so much,
We often use `merubah`.
It`s actually pretty simple. Try to pronounce it.
`Merubah` and `mengubah`
It`s more difficult with `mengubah` (to change). There`s burden to say `mengubah`.
There`s burden in the throat.
`Merubah` is smoother.
We have to realize that `merubah` means to be a fox.
It`s different with `to change`. This is the second common mistake.
That`s the two main mistakes. Fix it, and Indonesia will move forward.
Then, this language skillů
Is often we neglet it.
If we say the development of human being.
What baby first to is to listen to his surroundings.
Hearing what his parents say.
After that, understanding for example the word `mama`ů
refers to the woman nurse him.
After that, he learns how to talk.
Next, he learns to read.
Letters are actually human consensus.
Nothing stated that this form is an A.
Nothing. It`s human consensus. Such as in Mandarin.
It`s a letter is different. In Arabic, it`s different.
Thus, human first has to learnů
how to convent a sound.
Which is reading.
Then after reading, they learn how to write.
Writing skill is the last skill human acquire.
Maybe that`s whyů
Course with the most classes today is writing course.
Let me ask, have anyone seen listening course?
Have you? Almost none, right?
I think that`s why man cannot listen.
That`s me speak freely. I am sorry.
So, I am a linguist. But to my wife, I am not good at listening.
Okay, next frequently asked question.
How is it to learn a language?
You want to see the light like me in 2006.
Relax. It`s not easy. It took meů
about four years to not mix Indonesian language and English.
That was real effort. Because we are accustomedů
to say, `Pak, meetingnya di cancel.`
While this is my staff. Fresh graduate from high school. I mean, university.
`where did you learn that? Was it the way to say it at campus? Meeting.`
`I am not sure. I just copy my friends.`
Well, there`s no prohibition to talk in English.
None. We are lucky we are triglot.
Meaning, a person who speak three languages. Weů
on average were raised with ethnic mother tongue.
Javanese, I happen to be Minangnese. Next,
After we`re able to speak ethnic language, we learnů
Indonesian language at school. Then foreign language.
Almost, I don`t know the statistic,
But I figure about 70 percent Indonesian are triglot. We`re lucky.
Well, the ability to distinguishů
when to use certain language shows thinking orderliness.
I have many friends from Europe.
Europeans on average speak four to five languages.
French, German, Dutch.
But they are able to distinguishů
when to use Dutch. When to use French.
Wellů
It, this is not a general method.
This is what I look at, what I always share.
Lately, I I`ve given manyů
not course, I call it sharing to friends at various institutes.
If we notice, the level of language startsů
at the simplest spelling to narration.
If you want to learn, start from the end.
I learnt the language because I wanted to write on Indonesian Wikipedia.
I learnt how to write. To deliver an idea, which is narration.
Spelling, if you see it here, is the simplest thing.
That separated `di` and joined `di` is the simplest.
When we speak, it unnoticeable.
But many falls to this mistake.
What happen? The message is not delivered.
People busy correcting spelling. That`s what I`m trying to avoid.
People when first learning feels euphoria. Euphoria.
This is wrong. This is right. This is wrong. That`s not the essential.
Communication, its essential is to deliver message. That`s it.
Message is like when we eat.
We can eat on the sidewalk as long as we`re full.
Right? But when we eat something that served well,
Then smells good, the appetite rises.
Same with listening to message.
It could be delivered with messy language.
It could be. As long as the message is delivered. If that`s delivered,
Say in great spoken way,
good intonation, good pronunciation.
When it`s written, it`s written well, it`s far better, right?
I`m sure you when read a text could differentiateů
A well written text and poor written text.
Which one is more pleasing? The well written, doesn`t it?
It`s read pleasantly. It makes your heart warm.
Forgive my tendencies to be exaggerate.
Well, this.
It`s more or less the grammar we have to masterů
When we learn, not just Indonesian language, but any language.
Well, I have mentioned it before,
Indonesian language is different between formal and informal.
We have this term, well and right language.
Well, as I said, means according to context.
To vegetables seller we`ll say, `a bunch of veggies, please.`
We cannot say, `Sir, can I buy a bunch of vegetables?`
You cannot. It`s means fit the concept. Well.
Right means suits the principles.
When we write in formal way, use formal language.
Well and right is only applied in language.
Many people with imitative behavior use it for everything.
In language, well and right have s specific meaning.
Well, this is maybe the last one I want to deliver.
That standardize doesn`t have to be rigid.
There are several instruments we can use,
For Indonesian language to be flexible.
The first one is diction.
Don`t be lazy in learning Indonesian language glossaries.
How? Read books. That`s the key.
Don`t just read socmed status. Because on average, diction of status writerů
I don`t say not too rich. But maybe, Fiersa Besari in instance. It`s okay. His diction is extraordinary.
The point is, enrich your glossaries.
Because when we use various glossaries,
Our narrative , our writing will feel more flexible
Then, structure. Structure of a sentence can be arranged.
It doesn`t have to be Subject-predicate-object-adverb. You can reverse it.
Then, intonation. This is more to spoken variation.
Intonation is very affectingů
How people interpret what we deliver. Rise, decend.
Setting tempo. It`s very useful in making our language not rigid.
Then, there`s what it called phatic expression. It just to make the sound better
This is easy. Everybody uses it every day.
`dong, deh, sih` that`s falls into phatic expression category.
Those are words without meaning.
It has no meaning in terms of lexical or dictionary.
But they are used to deliver certain messages.
Feel the differences of `Eh! Ih!`
Oh! Uh! Ah!
It`s different.`Kamu gitu,ah!` `Kamu gitu, ih!`
`Kamu gitu, oh!` different right?
Some feels normal, some doesn`t.
Phatic expression is very useful to deliver emotion.
Very useful. It will also make our writing,
Our narrative feel more flexible.
Next is, well.
This is should be notice carefully. There`s what we call code switching.
Code switching. Sometimes,
When we talk to masses.
For instance, I stayed long in Bandung. 10 years I lived there.
Sometimes when we talk to get to know people,
we use the language they are familiar with.
That, who was it? Mr. Nelson Mandela said,
When you talk to people with the language they comprehend,
You will enter their mind.
When you use their language, you enter their heart.
It means, when you talk with the language that is so you.
I once lost to the top of a mountain in Switzerland.
Then, from afar I heard,
`what are you doing here?` (Sundanese language)
Oh my god, that felt like something.
Like getting a lifetime friend.
That`s incredible. When friends talk in public,
Write something, you can use language that close to the audiences.
Of course, it`s rarely for Indonesian to feel close with English language.
Ethnic language possibly. There are two terms.
Code switching and code mixing. What I don`t suggest is code mixing.
Code switching means, one sentence one language.
It`s okay. `What for you mix Sundanes language?` (Sundanese language)
But try to not use two languages in one sentence.
It shows that we cannot choose the right word.
Then the last one. Emoticon.
That`s an incredible weapon. When we text on Whatsapp,
We write in rigid tone, people think we are angry.
Try to finish it with a smile.
These are some tips from me.
How to make Indonesian language flexible.
Last one, sponsored message as I mentioned before.
We are lucky that we are triglot.
So, put Indonesian language first.
Then remember, please preserve ethnic language. The last one,
master foreign language. That`s it from me. Thank you.
May peace be upon you.
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