Letter: Standardizing `Bahasa Indonesia'

It is of great interest that the forefathers (and mothers) of Indonesia first tackled the problem of establishing a national language some 20 years before the actual formation of the Republic of Indonesia. In essence, the creation (or adaptation) of Bahasa Indonesia was the first true manifestation of unification (unificasi).

Another "Language Congress" may well be needed to standardize how Bahasa Indonesia can best be used for translating international languages like English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. The great difficulty is not so much grammatical and syntactical, but one of translating the "mentality", or mind set that accompanies not only a language like English, but the logic used in presenting and developing ideas peculiar to the language at hand.

It is the thought process itself that is at question here.

As per the English language and for those with internet access: For an Indonesian already versed in English but who wishes to better capture the essence of Western thought processes, I suggest reading and studying the editorials and opinion pieces published in such newspapers as The New York Times. (Internet access to The Times is free.) This newspaper features about a dozen op-ed writers every week, and a careful study of their writing styles and opinions will reveal how it is a native speaker and trained writer of English, knowledgeable in current events, politics, economics, and cultural dynamics actually goes about creating a thesis and supporting their ideas.

However important stylistics and accurate translation are, they are only foundational. In terms of non-fiction, the next level involves knowing how to write - that is, how to clearly present an idea or point of view and develop it cogently.

Finally, learning what makes the mind and heart tick behind the words and ideas so developed is taking it to the next level - and that leap has to be made in order to truly write well in English. One has to be a student of culture - and I do mean international culture - not just that of the English-speaking world.

This is not to say an Indonesian, for instance, needs to substitute foreign values for his own. Only that in adapting English's "culture of written expression" an Indonesian will be able to more clearly and persuasively communicate to any reader of the English language, no matter what their mother tongue. What is communicated can still retain its idiosyncratic roots - however personal and/or culturally Indonesian. None of this is easy to achieve, and requires guidance and practice.

Indonesians will make great strides in this regard if they devote more time to reading.

John Merah
Jakarta