mkl= English not the only useful language

English not the only useful language
Jamie
Apr 24, 06 4:15pm



Indonesia, with language imposition on her populace, has yet to produce
unity, progress and integration. Though some ancient civilisations through
conquests have succeeded (at the expense of millions of innocent lives),
the loss in languages by which knowledge, values, and histories are
transmitted is immeasurable. The obsession with a national language is a
pretext of the majority's prejudice and contributes no significant
advancement and benefits to society at large.

Diversity in cultures and languages, in fact, promotes better
understanding, increases economic activities, and more importantly,
cohesiveness. The outcomes, undoubtedly, would be real mutual respect,
realisation of human interdependence, and ultimately, survival in today's
global reconfiguration. Learning about other countries with no focus on
national language and specific culture would be a good start for
comparison.

Current debates on national language are mind-boggling. Other languages are
deemed an impediment to national unity. In the language of science and
mathematics, there seems to be an unequivocal agreement of a superiority.
Undesired languages are viewed less in value, knowledge, or monetary terms.
There is an obvious bias.

Conventional languages (or formal) have flaws and hidden agendas for most.
Lay languages like "bahasa pasar" and ebonics are free from design and may
actually convey more accurately of desires and actions. The richness and
beauty of these languages are not appreciated because they belong to the
poor and disenfranchised.

The "good bahasa Melayu" has undergone tremendous changes. Incorporation of
English is ever increasing to a point that the original language seems to
have been displaced. The irony here is that the language of the former
colonial master is accepted readily regardless of the implication to its
own identity and soul. Various proponents of English argue out of necessity
to compete and stay ahead. However, there is a marked shortsightedness in
this thought.

The Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish languages, among others, are the most
widely spoken on this planet Earth. Competencies in these languages can
surely expand trade, jobs, know-how, and so forth. There is no shortage of
local resources but because of unyielding minds, the worth of "other"
languages is not treasured or recognised.

Evidence from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines have revealed that
the issues of national language have little relationship with unity or
anything. Ethnic Chinese and other minorities are still being discriminated
and targeted in many riots.

As Tadin Sahak confirmed in his letter Bahasa Melayu still a subtitle
language, it doesn't matter if the non-Malay can speak the national
language or have indeed aspiration to serve in government. The bottom line
is racial. Despite so many voices from the lay communities, many in the
majority still unable to penetrate the veils that actually do them more
harm than good.


Language won?t guarantee stability
03:54pm Thu Apr 13, 2006
Adakah tali leher bersumberkan budaya kita?
03:52pm Thu Apr 13, 2006
BM has been hijacked
04:27pm Mon Apr 10, 2006
National unity culprit not language
04:30pm Thu Apr 06, 2006
Language for unity or uniformity?
03:21pm Wed Apr 05, 2006
Non-use of BM just a symptom
08:40pm Tue Apr 04, 2006
Toyota salesmen and the national language
05:41pm Fri Mar 31, 2006




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