T

he Central Java provincial administration is to oblige residents in the region to speak Javanese once a week during both formal and informal occasions.

The regulation was made official on Aug. 22 when Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo signed Gubernatorial Regulation No.55/2014, which amended Regulation No.57/2013 on the Javanese language, literature and script.

According to the old regulation, Javanese was only spoken during informal occasions such as in sermons, neighborhood unit meetings, customary institutions, social activities and among mass organizations.

Under the new regulation, Javanese is obligatory for provincial administration institutions, the 35 regency/municipality administrations and other formal and non-formal institutions. '€œWe can also speak Javanese during plenary sessions. It doesn'€™t necessarily have to be in krama [high Javanese]. ngoko [colloquial Javanese] will do just as well,'€ Ganjar said on Sunday.

The provincial administration has not decided which day will be chosen for the implementation of the policy. Some cities and regencies, including Surakarta, Karanganyar and Banyumas have already applied similar policies. '€œIf possible, the same day will apply for the whole province,'€ Ganjar said.

The new regulation also emphasizes the preservation of the Javanese language, literature and script in all levels of education. Javanese must be taught as a separate subject with a minimum time allocation of two hours per week for each grade.

Heri C Santoso of the Central Java Arts Council (DKJT) welcomed the new regulation, saying it was a way to preserve the Javanese culture. However, he said the administration should also bear in mind bureaucrats who could not speak Javanese.

He said the provincial administration should provide pocket books on the practical use of Javanese or place Javanese dictionaries in particular places to make it easier for people who found it difficult conversing in Javanese.

'€œThe most important thing in the realization of the regulation is understanding the values of Javanese culture and language,'€ he said, adding that these values included respect for others and humility.

The new regulation will also oblige the use of Javanese script on street signs, government institutions and other offices in Central Java.

The provincial administration will also promote competitions in Javanese literature both for students and teachers as well as providing supervision for Javanese literature workshops and activist groups.