1. As
introduced in Janet Holmes’ book, there are four steps in planning a national
language (selection, codification, elaboration, and securing it position). Do
you think that Indonesian also threatened in the same way (following those four
steps)?
Answer:
Considering
those four steps proposed by Janet Holmes. I believe that Indonesian has also
followed the steps.
a.
First, formulating Indonesian language was
chosen instead of choosing any indigenous language to maintain the unity. Riots
must happen when an indigenous language is chosen, since there are so many
tribes and their indigenous language.
b.
Chosen as the national language, Indonesian is
codified by the linguists.
Written
in Roman or Latin script, small spelling adjustments were in 1947 and a
comprehensive overhaul, called the Updated and Improved Spelling (Ejaan Yang Disempurnakan), was
implemented in 1972.
c.
Elaborating the language
At that time Indonesian was the second language for its
borders. The language spread throughout the country as it is used in wider
communications, inter-tribal communication.
Furthermore, the most important factor in the spread
of Indonesian as a national language was the development of Indonesia’s
educational system and literacy. This dramatic growth in literacy can be
attributed to the increasing availability of primary education throughout the
nation, and a higher percentage of the schoolage population attending school.
Indonesian is the language of instruction from primary school through
university throughout the nation, although vernacular languages are optionally
allowed in the first three years of primary school in nine regions of the
country. The focus on providing education throughout the nation and encouraging
school-age children to attend school through high school has had a tremendous
effect on literacy and knowledge of and use of the national language.
d.
To secure the position
Indonesian lies in the glow of prestige which adheres to the
language from centuries of use in indigenous administration and court arts. Moreover,
to secure the position of indonesian as well as to maintain unity, indonesia has a national
motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (an old
Javanese expression usually translated as “unity in diversity”).
2. As
a national language, can we categorize Indonesian as the successful one?
Provide your answer with the explanation for each category! (Unifying, Separatist,
Prestige, Fame-of-reference function)
Answer:
Definitely!
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) has been a very successful national language of
Indonesia.
Inspired
by the Youth's Oath event (Sumpah Pemuda) in 1928, people in Indonesia has
agreed that Indonesian will be the only national language of Indonesia. The
language has grown as the unifier used for inter-tribes communication throughout
the country. In indonesia, the unifying function of the language takes
precedence over all others.
Although,
it is similar to Malay in Malaysia, both of the languages are clearly
different. Especially in pronunciation, Indonesian is widely influenced by
Javanese and Dutch.
The
language has been the symbol of the nation and which the people are proud of. A
good deal of the modern prestige of Indonesian comes from its role in the
country’s nationalist movement. The Youth Pledge gave a new prestige to the
Malay language, now called Indonesian, although the young nationalist activists
continued to use Dutch in their daily communication (Moeliono 1993:137).
The
language serves as a yardstick for correctness trough the implementation of the Updated and Improved
Spelling (Ejaan yang Disempurnakan). For example, indonesian is used in technical
discourse such as scientific essays, textbooks, official reports, etc. Also, it
is used as an official communication tool in official correspondence, laws,
decrees, etc.
3.
Do you
think promoting local languages or dialects as one of the official language (at
least at its local area) can prevent them from being perished? If the local
language become an official language what step could government use to spread
it?
Answer:
In my opinion, yes it can
prevent the local languages from being perished. Because people tend to have
more positive attitude to standardized and prestigious language or a language
that have advantages for them so if the local languages have official status,
its speaker will have more motivation to use it daily in more formal domain.
Education system is usually the
most perfect domain to teach a new official language. A new language is also
can be easily spread through mass – media like newspaper, TV, etc. So, the
speaker can be more familiar to the language.
4. Mention
four factors that influence language planning? And what factor that have the
greatest influence in Indonesian language planning that make Indonesian
language was easily accepted by its people? And give the explanation?
Answer:
-
The social factors
The number of the speaker is an
important factor that can influence the acceptance of a language. The language
planner believe that a large number of speaker can support the language
maintenance and avoid the language death
-
The demographic factors
The spread of the speaker is a
also influential. Speech communities that live in a concentrated area are
easier to control than when the speaker are scattered. The scattered speakers
usually are in a small number and more likely will be influenced by a dominant
language and then finally leave their first language.
-
The linguistics factors
The language that has simpler
and easier language system and structure usually get more positive attitude
from the speaker. It makes the language easier to learn and being accepted by
the speaker as official language
-
The political factors
Language planner considers that
the political impact of decision making is important. A government involvement
may be affective in promoting or discouraging the languages or varieties
The factors that have the
biggest in supporting Indonesian language planning is the linguistics factor
and social factor. Indonesian language come from Malay language and it had been
a lingua franca in all over Indonesia as trading language. The fact that Malay
language has an easier language system than any other language in Indonesia
also supports Indonesian language to become the national official language in
Indonesia.
5.
What is language planning?
Language planning is a
deliberate effort to influence the function, structure, or acquisition of
languages or language variety within a speech community. It is often associated
with government planning, but is also used by a variety of non-governmental
organizations, such as grass-roots organizations and even individuals. The
goals of language planning differ depending on the nation or organization, but
generally include making planning decisions and possibly changes for the
benefit of communication. Planning or improving effective communication can
also lead to other social changes such as language shift or assimilation,
thereby providing another motivation to plan the structure, function and
acquisition of languages.
6.
Why language planning is important?
Language planning is important
because it serves several purposes. Some of the aims of language planning are
to achieve national unity and harmony, as a nation building tool, to strengthen
communicative integration, either domestically or internationally. People do
research and think about language a lot as they develop the plan. This helps a
community set realistic goals and find the most effective ways to reach the
goals.
Planning helps people keep an
eye on long‐term goals and the big picture. Community‐based planning ensures
that the community stays in charge of their own language policy.
Outside agencies may
participate in various ways but should not control things. Planning helps people and
groups coordinate their work and efforts.
Planning can help
prevent rivalry and encourage people to work together.
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