Octovianus (James) - 166332024 KBI B USD 2016

Response to Berbahasa by Jim Siegel

After reading the paper Berbahasa written by Jim Siegel, I found that there two are
important aspects namely the awareness of translation of other language into Indonesian
language and the inconsistency of Indonesian people regarding their own culture.
As I read through the paper, it really gains my attention regarding the issue of translation. In
summary I think the main point of the author is Indonesian actually did not think or aware
about the translation of their language to other language because they are used to translate
other language to theirs, mostly in this case is the translation of English to Indonesia. While
western is really concern with the translation of their mother tongue language, Indonesia is
otherwise. In this case, I think the western, still dominating Indonesian. According to Pierre
Bourdieu, language can be used as an instrument of power, in this case, western is using, or
forcing Indonesian to translate their language into the closest meaning, worst is the exact real
meaning, without considering the nature of Indonesian language itself. Worst thing is
Indonesian did not realise it and just let the thing happens. This can be considered as
symbolic violence where the victim actually willing to become a victim. It is not without
reason that we are willing to be colonised in this modern era because as we look at the
history, we had been colonised for more than three century according to history books we
being taught in school, and this shaped our point of view. Perhaps, our grandparents still alive
during the colonial era of Dutch or even Japanese and we being taught exactly that we are the
nation that has no power, so we live that way.
Another aspect of the paper I would like to give thought about is the inconsistency of
Indonesian people regarding their own culture. The author mention about the custom of
Malay and Javanese people which they are not suppose talking to the stranger, especially if
the stranger is Indonesian. However, they talk to western people (also a stranger) and the
worst part it borrowing the foreign language to greet them. I know the reason not talk to a
stranger is for their own safety but what is the reason to that the foreigner is not going to hurt
them also? Latest case is in Bali where the foreigners killed a police officer.
In summary, Indonesian should be proud of their language and start considering the language
is as important as other language. Next is Indonesian should be more consistent regarding
their own culture.

References:
Henri Chambert Loir (ed.) (2009). Berbahasa, dalam Sadur. Sejarah Terjemahan Di
Indonesia Dan Malaysia. Jakarta: K.P.Gramedia, Ecole Francaise dExtreme-Orient,
Forum Jakarta-Paris, Pusat Bahasa, Universitas Pajajaran, pp. 339-342
Haryatmoko. (N.D.). Critical Discourse Analysis. Sumbangannya dalam Penelitian Ilmuilmu Sosial dan Budaya. Paper presented at lecture for CDA subject, Sanata Dharma
University.