By: Dr. Felicia N. Utorodewo
Do we really know Bahasa Indonesia and its origin? This article seeks to reintroduce Bahasa Indonesia to readers. The introduction begins with the definition of Bahasa Indonesia, according to Harimurti (1999), which must be seen from three aspects, namely the historical aspect, the sociological aspect, and the legal aspect. These three aspects are inseparable from one another. Talking about the development of Bahasa Indonesia cannot be separated from Indonesian history or even world history. In this article, I will describe the development of Bahasa Indonesia from these three perspectives.
HISTORICAL ASPECT
The development of Bahasa Indonesia cannot be separated from the Malay language which has been used since the 7th century as the language of communication or ‘lingua franca’, not only on islands throughout the archipelago, but also throughout Southeast Asia. The Malay language used is called Bazaar Malay (“market Malay”). Around the 16th century, Indonesia was very famous in Europe because of its spices, especially pepper and nutmeg. Marco Polo, Vasco Da Gama, and Bartolomeu Dias are world historical figures of the 14th-15th century who traversed Indonesia on their voyages to the Far East.
In Indonesia, the Bazaar Malay language leaves its traces as dialects in eastern Indonesia, such as Ambonese Malay, Papuan Malay, and Makassar Malay. In Jakarta, or Sunda Kelapa as it was known at that time, the Malay language mixed with Chinese Malay dialects. Therefore, there is an opinion that Bahasa Indonesia originates from the eastern part of Indonesia.
During the Dutch occupation, in 1917, the Dutch East Indies government established Balai Poestaka. The main objective of the Dutch East Indies government was to reduce and divert the turmoil of the Indonesian struggle which had originally appeared in newspapers and formal writing media, such as books. Thus, the youth movement did not conflict with Dutch interests. At that time, authors from Minangkabau (West Sumatra) such as Marah Rusli, Nur Sutan Iskandar, Tulis Sutan Sati, and Abdoel Moeis, wrote many Indonesian literary treasures. The influence of Minangkabau writers, in addition to the discovery of ancient Malay manuscripts which originated mostly from the Sultanate of Riau, gave rise to a hierarchy of languages. The language in literature was referred to as High Malay (Court Malay), while Bazaar Malay language was referred to as Low Malay. These Riau and Minangkabau Malay languages have led to the assumption that the Riau Malay is the true parent of Bahasa Indonesia. However, in reality, Bahasa Indonesia is a mixture of various dialects of the Bazaar Malay, Minangkabau Malay, and Riau Malay languages.
SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECT
This sociological aspect is related to the development of Indonesian national history. At that time, Indonesian youth aspired to make Indonesia their homeland, nation, and Bahasa Indonesia a unifying language. The youth held the Youth Congress II in Batavia on 27th-28th October 1928. The Youth Congress came up with the decision to declare the Youth Oath on 28th October 1928.
The content of the declaration is as follow:
We, the sons and daughters of the Indonesia, declare that we all have one homeland, the land of Indonesia.
We, the sons and daughters of the Indonesia, declare that we all share one nation, the nation of Indonesia.
We, the sons and daughters of the Indonesia, uphold the unifying language, Bahasa Indonesia.
So, sociologically, Bahasa Indonesia began to be upheld as the language of unity on 28th October 1928.
LEGAL ASPECT
Since the Youth Oath, the declaration was published in various newspapers and read before a meeting of national associations. The definition of Bahasa Indonesia was re-emphasised at the Indonesian Language Congress I held in Solo in 1938, and was strengthened again at the Second Indonesian Language Congress in Medan in 1954.
“What is called Bahasa Indonesia, is essentially Malay language adopted from Riau Malay but has been expanded, revised or mixed based on the needs of the era and environment, so that the language can be easily used by the people all across Indonesia. This renewal of the Malay language to become Bahasa Indonesia needs to be undertaken by experts of Indonesian nationality.” (Indonesian Language Congress I)
“… that the origin of Bahasa Indonesia is the Malay language. The basis of Bahasa Indonesia is the Malay language which is adapted to its development in the current Indonesian society. “(Indonesian Language Congress II)
The tipping point of Bahasa Indonesia took place when it was recognized as the official state language when the new Indonesian Constitution was created, Article 36 on 18th August 1945, which stated that the language of the country is Bahasa Indonesia.
We have become acquainted with Bahasa Indonesia and how Bahasa Indonesia was made as the unifying language of the Indonesian people. By considering these three aspects, we have a better understanding of the origin of Bahasa Indonesia.
REFERENCES:
Alisjahbana, S. Takdir. 1978. Dari Perjuangan dan Pertumbuhan Bahasa Indonesia. Jakarta: Dian Rakyat
Collins, James T. 2009. Bahasa Sanskerta dan Bahasa Melayu. Jakarta: KPG (Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia)
Harimurti Kridalaksana. 1985. Fungsi Bahasa dan Sikap Bahasa. Ende-Flores: Penerbit Nusa Indah
Harimurti Kridalaksana. 1991. Masa Lampau Bahasa Indonesia: Sebuah Bunga Rampai. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Kanisius
Harimurti Kridalaksana. 1999. “Tata Wacana Deskriptif Bahasa Indonesia”. Diktat Sintaksis. Jakarta: Fakultas Sastra Universitas Indonesia
Kumar, Ann dan McGlynn, John H. 1996. Illuminations: The Writing Traditions of Indonesia. Jakarta: The Lontar Foundation.
