INDO 101
Monday, October 31, 2005On Sunday, a few of us who slept over after Antony Farewell Party (post and pics will be posted later) were discussing about the languages we speak. We are amazed on how in India, the streetside sellers could talk in at least 3 different languages (Hindi, English, Spanish) and many other dialects are there in India. Wayne and Antony can speak in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
I can only speak in two languages, Indonesian and English... and maybe a little bit of Mandarin like, "Wo bu shuo zong wen." - which means "I don't speak Mandarin." I thought it would come handy one day. I have been in this sort of disucssion a lot of times with different people, it is always interesting to know what people think about their own language and others'.
While I always thought Indonesian is easy (in comparison to Mandarin, of course) which some people I know can speak the language wil no doubt agree with me, apparently I was wrong! The grammar and the sentence structure of the proper Bahasa Indonesia (Yes, this is the correct writing which literally means Indonesian Language, while bahasa just means language! A-ha! ) might be easy as, but wait until you have to explain the usage of slang words and the sentence structure of Indonesian slang language to ISOL people (Indonesian for Speaker of Other Language ;p ) !
I speak slang everyday with my mates back home, even with my parents, teachers, simply with everyone. When I think of it, I only speak (and write) proper sentence when I'm delivering a speech and in exams. I can't think of any other time I'm using the proper language for. Hmm.. maybe that is why I always got C+ for that subject in highschool!
So, why is the Indonesian slang language much harder than the proper one you ask? Well.. I am taking a simple example of the English words that we use daily in formal and informal settings I, me and myself ... in Bahasa Indonesia to represent the same literal meaning we have saya (the proper Bahasa Indonesia), aku, daku, gue, gua, gw (text language), aing (regional dialect slang language), akika (slang word originated from the gay community).
For the usage of these words, I NEVER refer myself with "saya" or "aku" when talking to my mates - too proper. I use "gue". But I do refer myself with "aku" when talking to older (respected) family members and "saya" with other people I don't know well enough. But I wouldn't refer myself with "aing" or "akika" either, because that's just not my style of slang. Quite complicated, aye? And all that just for I, me and myself.
This website here, the Wikipedia of Indonesian Slang has done an excellent job at explaining in great details about it! Even I, still discovering new things when reading this website. For those who has the luxury of hearing Ryan speaks Indonesian slang, you can find the meaning of some of the words he's saying here.
I am now facinated with the richness of Indonesian culture. I never appreciate that before, but I do now. I can officially say I speak two languages and one Indonesian dialect and I understand another two Indonesian dialects (Bandung and Central Java). There you go kids, INDO 101, your lesson for today.
Next mission to accomplish : Learn Mandarin.
I know it's gonna take me while.
I can only speak in two languages, Indonesian and English... and maybe a little bit of Mandarin like, "Wo bu shuo zong wen." - which means "I don't speak Mandarin." I thought it would come handy one day. I have been in this sort of disucssion a lot of times with different people, it is always interesting to know what people think about their own language and others'.
While I always thought Indonesian is easy (in comparison to Mandarin, of course) which some people I know can speak the language wil no doubt agree with me, apparently I was wrong! The grammar and the sentence structure of the proper Bahasa Indonesia (Yes, this is the correct writing which literally means Indonesian Language, while bahasa just means language! A-ha! ) might be easy as, but wait until you have to explain the usage of slang words and the sentence structure of Indonesian slang language to ISOL people (Indonesian for Speaker of Other Language ;p ) !
I speak slang everyday with my mates back home, even with my parents, teachers, simply with everyone. When I think of it, I only speak (and write) proper sentence when I'm delivering a speech and in exams. I can't think of any other time I'm using the proper language for. Hmm.. maybe that is why I always got C+ for that subject in highschool!
So, why is the Indonesian slang language much harder than the proper one you ask? Well.. I am taking a simple example of the English words that we use daily in formal and informal settings I, me and myself ... in Bahasa Indonesia to represent the same literal meaning we have saya (the proper Bahasa Indonesia), aku, daku, gue, gua, gw (text language), aing (regional dialect slang language), akika (slang word originated from the gay community).
For the usage of these words, I NEVER refer myself with "saya" or "aku" when talking to my mates - too proper. I use "gue". But I do refer myself with "aku" when talking to older (respected) family members and "saya" with other people I don't know well enough. But I wouldn't refer myself with "aing" or "akika" either, because that's just not my style of slang. Quite complicated, aye? And all that just for I, me and myself.
This website here, the Wikipedia of Indonesian Slang has done an excellent job at explaining in great details about it! Even I, still discovering new things when reading this website. For those who has the luxury of hearing Ryan speaks Indonesian slang, you can find the meaning of some of the words he's saying here.
I am now facinated with the richness of Indonesian culture. I never appreciate that before, but I do now. I can officially say I speak two languages and one Indonesian dialect and I understand another two Indonesian dialects (Bandung and Central Java). There you go kids, INDO 101, your lesson for today.
Next mission to accomplish : Learn Mandarin.
I know it's gonna take me while.
