Indonesian in the Language Law: Reality and Hope

 

(sumber/disdikpora buleleng)


    Law Number 24 of 2009 regulates the use of Indonesian as the official state language that must be used in various aspects of life, from education to government communication. Indonesia itself is a multilingual country that have 700 regional languages ​live and used by people in various regions. In this context, Indonesian functions as a unifying language for the nation amidst broad linguistic diversity. As citizens, of course our views on this law have an important role in strengthening national identity. However, in the context of the philosophy of language, this law needs to be reviewed through two main approaches: descriptive and prescriptive, so that we can understand the relationship between language, society, and power more deeply.

    From a descriptive perspective, language can be understood as a social phenomenon that develops naturally in society. In reality, the use of Indonesian varies greatly, both in terms of dialect, vocabulary, and mixture with foreign languages. Phenomena such as the use of slang, foreign loanwords, or code mixing are forms of normal dynamics and reflect the creativity of speakers. The Language Law has not fully reflected this linguistic reality, so that it sometimes feels too rigid in its application. In contrast, the prescriptive approach focuses on how language should be used. The Language Law is a form of state prescriptivism in enforcing language standards. This is important to maintain the consistency and position of the Indonesian language in the formal realm. Many support this regulation, especially in the context of education, law, and state administration. Without rules, language use can run wild and make effective communicative functions in formal contexts become blurred or biased.

    However, these two approaches do not have to be contradictory. Bahasa Indonesia must continue to be maintained through firm policies, but also be adaptive to social and cultural developments. We cannot force one standard form in all contexts. Instead, we need to appreciate the diversity of ways of speaking that reflect the reality of Indonesia's diverse society. As individuals living in the midst of linguistic diversity, it is very important to see the active involvement of the community in interpreting and using Bahasa Indonesia. Not just following the rules or reflecting habits, but making language a tool for critical thinking, communicating with empathy, and building solidarity. Bahasa Indonesia does not only belong to the state, but also belongs to us all, which must be maintained, enriched, and interpreted in everyday life.


___________

Arfan Ramanda


Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

The Concept of Language

  1.       1.  What are the common concepts about language that you can find in the definitions given? Language is a communication tool used by humans to convey thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Language consists of speech sounds and articulation, produced by the human speech organs. As a system, language is arbitrary, consisting of symbols or sounds that have no natural relationship to their meaning. In addition, language has rules and structures that make it a highly organized system. Language is also social because it develops in groups of people and is influenced by the culture of each region or country. Language is a unique phenomenon that only humans have.   2.      2.   If you were to choose one definition, which would that be? Why? I would choose Saussure, the reason is because Saussure's definition itself provides a deep understanding of the nature of language as an arbitrary sign system. Language has no logical or nat...
Baca selengkapnya

Understanding Form and Function in Language

Gambar
     Language has two important parts: form and function. Form means how the language is built. It includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. For example, how we make sentences using the subject, verb, and object. It also includes how we use past tense, or how to say words correctly. Function means the reason why we use the language. We use language to ask questions, to say what we like, to describe something, to tell a story, or to explain ideas. So, form is the shape or structure of the language, and function is the purpose of the language in real life. (Image/a walk in a chalk)      We can understand form and function better by looking at things in the world. For example, a chair can have many shapes. Some are made of wood, some are plastic, some have arms, and some don’t. But all of them have the same function: to sit on. Another example is an egg. Its form is the shell and shape, but the function is the food inside. In nature, a giraffe’s long...
Baca selengkapnya