Dr. Kundharu argues that Bahasa Indonesia is much more suitable as the second language of ASEAN. This suggestion considers the international language requirements. “Indeed, if we look at the relationship with international language requirements, Bahasa Indonesia is far superior to Malay,” said Dr. Kundharu, Wednesday (13/4/2022).

Furthermore, Dr. Kundharu highlighted three aspects that make Bahasa Indonesia more suitable to become ASEAN’s second language than Malay. First, there are currently more than 270 million Indonesians who generally use Bahasa Indonesia in their daily life. Bahasa Indonesia has become the unifying language for all Indonesian people. When compared to Malay, it is apparent that Bahasa Indonesia is spoken by more speakers. Moreover, considering the BIPA program, Dr. Kundharu reveals that there are hundreds of BIPA organizing institutions abroad.

In his statement, Dr. Kundharu reveals that many foreign universities are opening Bahasa Indonesia Study Programs. In fact, PBSI’s Study Program in UNS has sent some of its students to internships in foreign universities to teach Bahasa Indonesia. “The study program has deployed numerous students abroad, for example, at Yale University, a top ten university globally. We’ve already deployed ten students to teach there. There are also some in Thailand and Turkey. Therefore, we assigned students to internship programs in various universities abroad to teach Bahasa Indonesia. This step will be one of the movements for the internationalization of Bahasa Indonesia,” explained Dr. Kundharu.

The next aspect that makes Bahasa Indonesia more feasible to become ASEAN’s second language is that the Ministry of Education and Culture has established a Language Agency, which will monitor and safeguard all the efforts taken for the internationalization of Bahasa Indonesia. This organization’s establishment is provided in Law No. 24 of 2009. The existence of the Ministry of Education and Culture Language Agency will maintain the honor of Bahasa Indonesia.

According to Dr. Kundharu, as an Indonesian, there are measures to support the Bahasa Indonesia defense movement. There are currently many social media twibbon campaigns circulating online for Indonesian citizens to actively voice their stance on this language discourse on their respective social media. The next step to support Bahasa Indonesia’s internationalization is proudly using Bahasa Indonesia in everyday life. UNS has participated in this effort through the PBSI Study Program that has deployed its students to an internship abroad to teach Bahasa Indonesia.

Prof. Kundharu also invites students to use Bahasa Indonesia proudly by cultivating a sense of belonging in each other’s personal lives. “If you have a sense of belonging, automatically it will be easier (to support Bahasa Indonesia). Hence, if we have cultivated a sense of belonging to our national language, Bahasa Indonesia, automatically, we will grow to be better. When Bahasa Indonesia becomes a unifying language, it will also provide a sense of honor and belonging for students,” he explained.

At the end of the interview, Dr. Kundharu emphasized the importance of Bahasa Indonesia as a unifying language and identity of the Indonesian nation. “This condition signifies why Bahasa Indonesia as a unifying language and national identity must be supported to become an international language. If Bahasa Indonesia becomes an international language, people will have the opportunity to learn it, which will lead Bahasa Indonesia to be the center of attention. This condition will certainly improve various national aspects such as politics and the economy. The impact will be extensive,” concluded Dr. Kundharu. Humas UNS

Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post BIPA UNS Experts’ Response to the Discourse on Malay Becomes ASEAN’s Second Language appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Dr. Raheni confirmed that BIPA has the opportunity to make Bahasa Indonesia an international language. “Currently, many countries are attracted to include Bahasa Indonesia as course and course material. Meaning that more foreign students are interested in studying Bahasa Indonesia,” Dr. Raheni stated on Tuesday (22/2/2022).

Dr. Raheni added that BIPA introduces Indonesia’s language and culture to foreign speakers from various countries on five continents. She added that the increase in people studying the culture and language would make more people know, learn, and understand by speakers from various countries. “The wider the spread of Bahasa Indonesia, then the quicker it is becoming an international language,” she continued.

There is also high reported enthusiasm from international students to study Bahasa Indonesia. “Since 2015, I taught Bahasa Indonesia for foreign students who will study in Indonesia. They were highly enthusiastic about learning Bahasa Indonesia. They asked questions, were serious about working on their homework, and participated in the discussion. They were happy to get suggestions and try to improve their drawback,” Dr. Raheni explained.

Lastly, Dr. Raheni hoped that BIPA administration could be improved in terms of materials, media, model, and other components. Therefore, BIPA will attract more people, and the vision to make Bahasa Indonesia an international language could be achieved. Humas UNS

Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post UNS Language Expert View on Bahasa Indonesia Internationalization through BIPA appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Linguistic Expert, Dr. Muhammad Rohmadi, M.Hum., responding toward this phenomenon from functional linguistic aspects with triadic dimensions that consist of forms, functions, and context. Context holds a vital role in using multilingual usage in daily life, which holds specific meanings.

“There will be an implication. The implication is what is implied. First, there are (people) using multi-languages to differentiate themselves from others. There are (people) who use multi-languages to maintain a reputation that they master numerous languages. There are also those who want to attract readers or viewers and those with persuasive aims. These all integrated into language functions,” Rohmadi explained.

The multilingual phenomenon in Indonesia is considered normal because, based on the survey conducted through the SwiftKey website, Indonesia has the most prominent multilingual speakers in the world. Indonesia exceeds Israel and Spain that are ranked second and third. Multilingual usage, according to Dr. Rohmadi, also marks that its speakers have adequate knowledge that they could elaborate, create, and innovate languages they master.

Dr. Rohmadi stated that there are many factors that make Indonesian people to be trilingual or multilingual speakers. The meet between culture and technology development is the most dominant factor that causes this phenomenon. “Trilingual phenomenon occurs because the meeting of culture from various regions and technology development. With technological development, we could enter all lines. Even when we do not master the language, we could google it,” the Sociopragmatic Faculty Member in the Master Program in Indonesia Language Education Program UNS stated.

Multilingual speakers often mix the languages they master when they speak and write. However, many worry that it could damage the language. Dr. Rohmadi stated that it needs to be returned to the context of the speakers. He thinks the practice will not damage the language as long as the context is formal. “Often, they use multilingual in a non-formal context. Therefore, the use (of multilingual) needs to match the context and be responsible for using languages that could be measured from what they think and what they say. What they say becomes an action. Those actions become habits and characters,” the Chairman of Indonesia Language and Literature Faculty Member Associations (Adobsi) stated.

However, Dr. Rohmadi reminded me that multilingual speakers could apply their skills according to the appropriate situation, interlocutors, and orientation. Humas UNS

Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post UNS Linguistic Expert Responses on Trilingual Phenomenon in Social Media appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.