Indonesian Nationalism and the Development of the Indonesian Language - Literature review Example

In What Ways, are Indonesian Nationalism and the Development of the Indonesian Language Related to Each Other? Nationalism has several definitions, but it is generally the increasing people’s desire to determine their individual identity, destiny and lifestyle for themselves. For the Netherland Indies, governed by Dutch colonists early in the 1800s, nationalism that began circa 1900 finally would bring forth a new nation-state named Indonesia. During the entire period, there was a mounting realization of a national concern, seen through the structuring of several organizations taking the colony as their main organizational frame, as opposed to smaller groups’ perspectives, such as local or ethnic issues (Walters 1996, p.7). Indonesian is the early 20th century had a name for Malay. Depending on the definition of language and the number of speakers count, Malay-Indonesian today, ranks around seventh in size in the list of the world's languages. With dialect variations, at least 200 million people in the states of Indonesia speak the language currently. Malay is just among many scores, of different languages used in the area now in occupation of the Republic of Indonesia. This paper looks into Indonesian nationalism and the development of Indonesian language relations focusing broadly on the historical, political and social perspectives within the Indonesian culture. In 1928, the nationalist movement of Indonesia chose Malay as the national language. Its name changed to be Bahasa Indonesia meaning "the Indonesian language ". In English, the language takes the name "Indonesian." This was the beginning of nationalism with the country selecting a language of identity and having some language to identify with and use in their communication (Legge 1988, p.25). Indonesian nationalism, as discrete from loyalty to specific courts, their sultans and rajas, or to local regions, started largely out of resistance to European exploitation and Dutch rule (Walters 1996, p.7). Therefore, the people in the region had to establish a language in which they would communicate without reliance of English and Dutch languages. It was a hallmark of the Indonesian language establishment for local identity (Peter 1998, p13-18). Although a number, of humanitarian elements were in particular Dutch administrations, even by the early 1930s the Dutch had no any suggested intention of leaving the main islands and firmly remained in control of the region making it difficult for the establishment of Indonesian nationalism. The sense of shared grievance generally was, augmented by Islamic confrontation of Westernization in order to hinder the influence and establish a sense of identity (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). Although the phrase, 'Indonesian' had earlier usage, 'by 1928 the thought of being Indonesian and the zeal to create an Indonesian nation free from the colonial rule was held widely meaning that, the people had the morale to establish a sense of identity (Douglas 1995, p.78). This trend was awarded a tangible focus in 1928 in the country, during a national Congress in Batavia with many people feeling a need to establish identity (Peter 1998, p13-18). With the country witnessing the ceremonial raising of the country’s flag, they were on the verge of building a strong bond with the Indonesian language. In fact, they recited the National Pledge in Indonesian language and sang an Indonesian composed national anthem. Indonesian nationalism in the event of such events established its roots in the country with the people of Indonesia priding in their newly established identity free from colonialism (Richard 1993, p39-74). It was a public expression that of their determination of creating an independent Indonesia and establishing identity with a language and common flag. The beginning of national identity transcended ethnic and regional loyalties (Douglas 1995, p.78). Conversely, in providing the motive for nationalism, the Dutch provided indirectly many of the tools required for a national revolution in Indonesia. They educated a middle and upper-class people of Indonesian and enhanced their eloquence in language (Indonesian) in support of the country’s nationalism establishment (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). The language education opened the people in these classes to understand the European historical experience, which included modern notions of the nation-state, military systems, European economics, and several other strands of Marxism, socialism, and communism, which were ideal in attracting the nationalist movement. Though it was a political move for the Dutch to hold an influence and a place in Indonesia, it was advantageous because the Indonesian people gained from the education and it contributed to the establishment of the nationalist movements (Carey 1979, p45-105). From earliest times, Malay was, the native language of the population people living on the two sides of the Malaccan Straits separating Sumatra relatively from the Malay Peninsula. The Indonesian language was such a powerful tool because it established a social tool for communication in the region ,therefore, established as an identity of the people in that region (Richard 1993, p39-74). Because the Malaccan Straits have been a busy sea thoroughfare, many travelers and traders directly encountered its language meaning that it was a ardent identity of use in the socialization process even for foreigners. Over the years, they bore Malay all over the islands of Indonesia and the Indonesian language became an extensively used lingua franca, particularly in coastal areas meaning that it was a potent tool for the establishment of nationalism in Indonesia (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). This is one of the key reasons why in the late 20th century, the Indonesian language, Malay was selected as the Indonesian republic national language and why the same language played such a relevant role in forming and establishing Indonesia's unity (Margaret 1998). Indonesian language does not relate even remotely, to the English language. Nor does it relate to New Guinea inland languages, the Australian Aboriginal languages or the China’s Sino-Tibetan languages. Indonesian language belongs to the family of Austronesia language, which stretches across the Southeast Asia islands and the Pacific (King 1990, p74-100). It is the sole reason why the language was a potent tool of relevance to the establishment of nationalism across the region. The country had one of the most original languages that did not borrow from other languages directly meaning that it was a sole entity and foremost for identity establishment. Malay as an Indonesian language has featured abundantly in the establishment of Indonesian nationalism in various other aspects. It has functioned as the country’s court language for many years since independence of the country (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). It was palpably the Sumatran Empire’s language for a long period meaning that its establishment contributed a fantastic deal. It was also the language of the all-medieval states of Malay, Malacca. When Malacca experienced the Portuguese influence in 1511, its traditions scattered widely and stirred the court culture of successor states for instance Johor-Riau, Aceh and Kelantan (Margaret 1998). In other words, the language played a significant role in establishing the nationalists who fought for the independence of the country (Cullen 1998, p1-17). So modern Indonesian, also, basks in the radiance of prestige that adheres to the Indonesian language from centuries of its use in aboriginal administration, as well as court arts. Malay also has been a language of business and trade in the country, which are a part of the great identities of nationalism in Indonesia. The medieval Malacca city-state, like the resurgence European Genoa city-states and Venice, and the city-states of Singapore and Hong Kong, thrived mainly on trade because if the famous Malay language identity (Carey 1979, p45-105). The Malay language was established as of use for commerce in the Indonesian archipelago widely that a unique, "boiled-down" modification of the language developed that became known generally as bazaar Malay or market Malay (Margaret 1998). The strong establishment of the Indonesian language in this case saw through the country’s identity as a commerce region nationally (Carey 1979, p45-105). Thanks to that tradition, Malay as an Indonesian language seems to have adapted enthusiastically to the modern commerce challenges and established its identity as a prosperous nation in the field of commerce (Cullen 1998, p1-17). In modern Indonesia, the language is without doubt the dominant business language, especially at the upper and middle levels where local languages rule in the rural market showing its identity establishment. Socially, the Indonesian language has been of value even extending to the establishment of the Islam language to the people (Margaret 1998). Indonesia has been through many nationalistic efforts of establishing the religion of the state as well as the society’s religion. When Islam arrived in the Indonesian region, it opened out along trade routes as well as through coastal cities where Malay as the main Indonesian language was used. Malay linked with Islam playing a vital role in the rise of Islam as a religion of the majority in the archipelago (Aveling 1999, p.25-67). Malay also extended as the language widely used in the Christianity propagation, particularly in the now mostly Christianized areas of the Indonesian East. It is, therefore, arguable that the Indonesian language was of use in the nationalistic efforts in the country’s attempts to reestablish it and close on its identity (Cullen 1998, p1-17). In other words, Christianity and Islam helped spread Malay as the national language, and Malay helped spread Christianity and Islam as the national religions and the identity of the state (Ann 1979, p.156-167). Particularly notable was that the established religion has a critical place in the Indonesian Republic to a point that even a powerful Religion Department exists in the central government. To date, the Indonesian language associates with the “modern” Christianity and Islam religions, and participates in their respective spiritual power and social prestige (Edwina 1994, p.92). Additionally, from the early 17th century on, as the Indonesian islands fell under the control of the Netherlands little by little, Malay came to be of use precisely by the country’s nationalists rulers (Robert & BROWN 1995, p.128-145). It was the most critical medium of communication particularly between people and government in an effort to establish unity and drive the spirit of nationalism to help fight for the country’s independence (Cullen 1998, p1-17). Unlike in other colonies, in Indonesia the European ruler’s language was not forced directly upon the local populace because the people already had pride in the Indonesian language and could not accept any other alternative mode of communication (Bellwood 2000, p. 35-45). Only a few elite of indigenous Indonesians learned the English and Dutch languages, but they held their local language highly powerful than any other within the land, and consequently Malay established as crucial to the smooth transition of the administration of fight for independence. Conclusion The Indonesian nationalism and the development of Indonesian language relate a lot with each other. A good deal of the prestige of Indonesian language comes from the role it played in the nationalist movement of the country. The Indonesian language gained roots and was adopted formally in the country as the language of identity and the pre-eminent language of the country. It was of enormous use in establishing national unity meaning that it played a significant role in establishing nationalism. Generally, the two have been correlating for ages and influencing each other in their developments. References Ann, K 1979, "Developments in Four Societies Over the Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries", in Aveling, Harry (ed.) The Development of Indonesian Society: From the Coming of Islam to the Present Day, Brisbane, University of Queensland Press, 1979, p.156-167 Aveling, H 1999, (3rd ed.) the Development of Indonesian Society: From the Coming of Islam to the Present Day, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, p.25-67 Bellwood, P 2000, (2nd Ed) Prehistory of the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago, N.Y., Academic Press, p. 35-45 Carey, P 1979, "Aspects of Javanese History in the Nineteenth Century", in AVELING, Harry (ed.) The Development of Indonesian Society: From the Coming of Islam to the Present Day, Brisbane, University of Queensland Press, 1979, pp45-105 Cullen, A 1998, "The Role of Governance in the 1998 Indonesian Crisis", The Culture Mandala, 3 no. 1, November 1998, pp1-17 Douglas, E 1995, Politics in Indonesia: Democracy, Islam and the Ideology of Tolerance, London, Routledge, 1995, p.78 Edwina, K 1994, "Australia's Part in Indonesia's Struggle", Asian Business Review, February 1994, p.92 King, D 1990, "Indonesia's Foreign Policy" in WURFEL, David & BURTON, Bruce (eds) The Political Economy of Foreign Policy in Southeast Asia, N.Y., St. Martin's Press, 1990, pp74-100 Legge, J 1988, Intellectuals and Nationalism in Indonesia, Cornell Modern Indonesia Project, 1988, p.25 Mansurnoor, I 1990, Islam in an Indonesia World: Ulama of Madura. Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press, 1990, p.65 Margaret, S 1998, "Indonesia Reborn?” The New York Review of Books, 13 August 1998 National Development Information Office, 1993, Indonesia: Source Book 1993, Jakarta, NDIO, 1993 (National Development Information Office) Peter, D 1998, "The Political Economy of Indonesia's 1997 Forest Fires", Australian Journal of International Affairs, 52 no. 1, April 1998, pp13-18 Richard, R 1993, "Indonesia: Tensions in State and Regime", in HEWISON, Kevin et al. (ed.) Southeast Asia in the 1990s: Authoritarianism, Democracy and Capitalism.S ydney: Allen & Unwin, 1993, pp39-74 Robert, C. & BROWN, C 1995. Modern Indonesia: A History since 1945. London: Longman, 1995, p.128-145 Walters, P 1996. "Indonesia Defends Union of Land and Water", The Australian, 29 March 1996, p7 Read More

In fact, they recited the National Pledge in Indonesian language and sang an Indonesian composed national anthem. Indonesian nationalism in the event of such events established its roots in the country with the people of Indonesia priding in their newly established identity free from colonialism (Richard 1993, p39-74). It was a public expression that of their determination of creating an independent Indonesia and establishing identity with a language and common flag. The beginning of national identity transcended ethnic and regional loyalties (Douglas 1995, p.78). Conversely, in providing the motive for nationalism, the Dutch provided indirectly many of the tools required for a national revolution in Indonesia.

They educated a middle and upper-class people of Indonesian and enhanced their eloquence in language (Indonesian) in support of the country’s nationalism establishment (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). The language education opened the people in these classes to understand the European historical experience, which included modern notions of the nation-state, military systems, European economics, and several other strands of Marxism, socialism, and communism, which were ideal in attracting the nationalist movement.

Though it was a political move for the Dutch to hold an influence and a place in Indonesia, it was advantageous because the Indonesian people gained from the education and it contributed to the establishment of the nationalist movements (Carey 1979, p45-105). From earliest times, Malay was, the native language of the population people living on the two sides of the Malaccan Straits separating Sumatra relatively from the Malay Peninsula. The Indonesian language was such a powerful tool because it established a social tool for communication in the region ,therefore, established as an identity of the people in that region (Richard 1993, p39-74).

Because the Malaccan Straits have been a busy sea thoroughfare, many travelers and traders directly encountered its language meaning that it was a ardent identity of use in the socialization process even for foreigners. Over the years, they bore Malay all over the islands of Indonesia and the Indonesian language became an extensively used lingua franca, particularly in coastal areas meaning that it was a potent tool for the establishment of nationalism in Indonesia (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). This is one of the key reasons why in the late 20th century, the Indonesian language, Malay was selected as the Indonesian republic national language and why the same language played such a relevant role in forming and establishing Indonesia's unity (Margaret 1998).

Indonesian language does not relate even remotely, to the English language. Nor does it relate to New Guinea inland languages, the Australian Aboriginal languages or the China’s Sino-Tibetan languages. Indonesian language belongs to the family of Austronesia language, which stretches across the Southeast Asia islands and the Pacific (King 1990, p74-100). It is the sole reason why the language was a potent tool of relevance to the establishment of nationalism across the region. The country had one of the most original languages that did not borrow from other languages directly meaning that it was a sole entity and foremost for identity establishment.

Malay as an Indonesian language has featured abundantly in the establishment of Indonesian nationalism in various other aspects. It has functioned as the country’s court language for many years since independence of the country (Mansurnoor 1990, p.65). It was palpably the Sumatran Empire’s language for a long period meaning that its establishment contributed a fantastic deal. It was also the language of the all-medieval states of Malay, Malacca. When Malacca experienced the Portuguese influence in 1511, its traditions scattered widely and stirred the court culture of successor states for instance Johor-Riau, Aceh and Kelantan (Margaret 1998).

In other words, the language played a significant role in establishing the nationalists who fought for the independence of the country (Cullen 1998, p1-17).

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