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“Merubah” or “Mengubah?”

June 8, 2021 by Dian Purnama Leave a comment

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah merubah diri saya.”

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah mengubah diri saya.”

Which one of these two sentences are correct? Before we’re discussing it in our Indonesian language lesson any further, pick your answer and keep it.

The word class

“merubah” and “mengubah” both begins with prefix “me-“. Do you remember the function of this prefix? Yes, it is to form active verbs and it could be either transitive or intransitive depending on the definition of its based word.

The base word

Now, let’s take a look on what’s the base words of these two verbs!

merubah = me- + rubah (fox)
etymologically, “merubah” could mean “to turn into a fox”
Well, actually we don’t use this kind of words that much in Indonesian text or conversation. So let’s say that the word “merubah” is following the word forming rules but not actively used. Another way to say it is: “menjadi rubah“, which is more a common expression. Sentence sample: “Penyihir itu menjadi rubah.”

image taken from www.smithplanet.com

mengubah = me- (ng) + ubah (to change/convert)
So, the verb “mengubah” means to change or alter something (could be a thing or a situation) into another thing (could be anything). Sentence sample: “Mesin itu mengubah air menjadi es.”—“The machine turns water into ice.”

Possible Mix Up

What makes this word mistake happen and it has become so commonly used? We thought about these reasons behind it.

mengubah vs berubah. Perhaps, Indonesian people in the past has confused these two verbs in their usage and the mistake has become habitual and widely spread. In Balinese speaking people, there’s even a variation of using “o” instead of “u”, so they will “berobah” and “merobah”, while the base word will be “robah”. That is completely wrong and is very common among elderly Indonesian speakers.

The sentence

The meaning of the sentence in the beginning of this article is: “Life in Indonesia has changed myself.” Therefore, the correct verb form to choose for the sentence is:

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah mengubah diri saya.”

Now it’s your turn to create your own Indonesian sentence using the verb “mengubah“! Leave it on the comment section below and we’ll see if you can get our today’s Indonesian lesson right. (dian)

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What is the Balinese Language?

December 13, 2020 by Dian Purnama Leave a comment

Some people who don’t have a clue that there are over 300 local languages spoken in Indonesia and decide to live in Bali come and ask a question: “Should I learn Bahasa Indonesia or Bahasa Bali first?”. Are these two language actually the same, and where do we use them? Well, before we answer the question, let’s get to know more about Bahasa Bali and its language users.

Are Balinese and Indonesian the same language?
No. Balinese or known locally as Basa Bali is the language spoken by the people of Bali island, included in Malayo-polynesian language family. Meanwhile, Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia), despite of also being part of the Malayo-Polynesian language family, is the language of unity of the Indonesian people, spoken in the whole archipelago continuously adopting words and accents from its local users. The current Balinese language is rooted in old Balinese, which share similar characteristics to the old Javanese language.

Where is the Balinese language spoken?

The Balinese language is spoken mainly among its people in the island of Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok, and a few part of Java Island where Balinese community resides. Currently, the development of Balinese language draws attention from foreign language practitioners, inviting more and more people to learn the language and culture.

What are the traits of the Balinese language?

The Balinese language can be found written in roman alphabets (like what we have in English and Indonesian) or in Balinese script. Words in the Balinese language cannot be broken down or spelled in letters, but in syllables. One syllable is symbolized with one Balinese character and there is a way to change the sounds by adding certain character to the basic characters. The vocabulary of the Balinese language are almost similar to Javanese, though the Balinese has its locally used lexicons as well. In modern time, vocabulary of the Balinese language expands through adaptation adoption of modern terms or words taken from Bahasa Indonesia. There are also three levels of politeness in this language, plus one lower language level which often considered as rude but commonly used among friends.

Which one should I learn first, Indonesian or the Balinese?

You can choose whether to learn Indonesian or Balinese language first without any problem. You can even choose to learn only one of these two. However, considering the traits and historical development of the language, it’s always helpful to have good base in Bahasa Indonesia first before learning Basa Bali. There are a few reasons for it:

  • Many of modern terms adapted and adopted from Bahasa Indonesia to the Balinese language. Recognizing these words in Bahasa Indonesia will surely help you a lot with your learning progress.
  • 80% of the Balinese language structures are similar to Bahasa Indonesia
  • Bahasa Indonesia is used and spoken in broader area in the country and is the official language used in official issues.

Apart from the above reasons, it is undoubtedly useful and interesting for you to study Basa Bali while living in the island of Bali or if you have close connection to the Balinese root (Balinese family and culture, for example) as it will allow you to get more access to the life and culture of the Balinese people.

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How to Improve Your English

December 13, 2020 by Dian Purnama Leave a comment

Now that you have decided to learn English as your second language, you need to know how to start studying and how to improve your English skill in order to boost your confidence and proficiency. There are actually a few points that you need to bear in mind before deciding to enroll in an English class or having a self study, summarized as follow:

  1. Understanding the features of the English language. There are some trait of English that you should know. First of all, English has a very long history and has been used throughout the world. Second of all, since English language is receptive, it has adopted and adapted numerous words from other languages. Next, grammatically, English language features fixed inflections and word forms changes, though you have to pay attention on its phrasal verbs.
  2. Getting committed to your English lesson. Just like every learning process, taking an English lesson requires your full commitment. You can’t expect to sit in a classroom for one or two hours and absorbing everything without repeating and reviewing what you have learned at home. English may seems easy at first since it is one language that we hear and read in everyday life. However, it will get trickier in higher level, especially when you focus your English skill in accuracy.
  3. Setting leveled goals. In each English lesson that you’ve studied, it is important to set a realistic goal to boost your English learning moods. Remember, the goal must be realistic, following your current learning level. If you set your English learning goal too high, you will be easily get demotivated and frustrated. On the other hand, if your goal is too low, you won’t be challenged to continue the lesson.
  4. To be confident. Do not be afraid of speaking English. A little mistake is fine for a learner. Just take a note on the mistake you’ve made and fix it later on. If you are confident and put positivity in every effort of studying English that you’ve made, your English language will progress better and quicker.
  5. Getting used to English. To get used to using English, you have to get used in listening and reading in English. In order to do this, you should surround yourself with English. Start with something that is the most interesting for you such as English songs, movies, stories, articles, or even news feed on your social media. Getting used to the English language let your brain to think of English as part of your life and let it be absorbed easily.
  6. To be curious. Whenever you find new words or expressions in English, jot it down and find out what it is. Being curious to English, as your new language will be very useful in your learning process. Later on, use the new words that you’ve listed in sentences or paragraph and try to use it in spoken as well.
  7. Having fun with your English lessons. It will be more fun to learn English with a teacher, or a group study, or in a community. Find a way that you can use your English while learning. Talk to English speaking friends, create an English video, write a blog or social media update in English, sing a song in English, or write stories in English. There are so many ways to make your English learning experience be more fun and enjoyable if you are committed.

Now that you’ve read the whole article on how to improve your English skill, are you ready to start learning English? Let us know your experience and how do you make your learning process be fun and enjoyable in the comment section.

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Why Do you Need to Learn Bahasa Indonesia?

December 13, 2020 by Dian Purnama Leave a comment

Looking for a new language to adopt? Some languages may become great candidates for your choices. But is learning Indonesian included in your current consideration? Whether or not you are planning on living or visiting Indonesia, we can assure you that taking an Indonesian language class will be very useful for you. And if you haven’t thought about it, read thoroughly these benefits of learning Bahasa Indonesia that you may get.

  1. Indonesian is an essential language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Rich with resources and breathtaking panorama, Indonesia’s geographic condition indirectly invites people to visit, travel, and invest in various businesses within the country. Considering this situation that you may face, learning Bahasa Indonesia is arguably important. And since many potential Indonesian citizens also live and work in Malaysia and Singapore, their closest neighbors, learning Bahasa Indonesia is an essential step to take, in order to connect with them easily.
  2. Bahasa Indonesia is simple and make sense. Many have said that Bahasa Indonesia is easy and effortless. To some extent, this statement could be true. But like you only sit and read book, then in a blink of eyes, you can master the language. Not at all. You still need some effort in memorizing words, using them in the right situation, and putting them in correct order. So what makes Bahasa Indonesia easy? Bahasa Indonesia is relatively simple in its structure. Subject + verb + object. Though, in some extended sentences or utterances, constructing a good Indonesian structure requires more tricks. Words in Indonesian language are also easily readable. These words are read the way the letters constructing them are pronounced. As a newly made language bridging the 700 local languages spreading across Indonesia, many vocabulary of Indonesian language are adapted and adopted from English, Dutch, Spanish, etc, which may sound familiar to you.
  3. Establishing an easier communication with Indonesian business partners and workers. If you are running a business in Indonesia, or even if you are only cooperating with Indonesian people in an international based business, a good communication will be a very valuable point to build strong foundation for what you do. Your Indonesian business partners or employees may be speaking fluent English. But if you are able to speak their language, you will understand what they say better, in term of cultural and linguistic setting. They may speak English perfectly, but their mother tongue will, more or less, affect the way they say things and what they are saying.
  4. Getting a better deal within the local merchant. Now let’s say you are enjoying relaxing retiring days in quiet islands within Indonesian archipelago. Or, perhaps you are living Indonesia for a retailing business. In all of these situations, speaking Indonesian well will benefit you. When you are negotiating with them in a good Bahasa Indonesia and proper Indonesian manner, they will get impression that you are paying attention to them, respecting them, and understanding their culture. They will feel closer to you and treat you better. Thus, they will be more than happy to give you a better deal.
  5. The key to have better access to unique Indonesian cultures. People of Indonesia live a life as modern world citizens. However, most of them – if not all, are also part of widely diverse cultural ethnics (different way of life, different religions, different traditions, different languages!). That’s why Bahasa Indonesia is highly required among people of Indonesia to communicate effectively. You, too, will be part of this community if you are able to speak Bahasa Indonesia and thus, unlock this vast interesting cultures across the archipelago through its people.
  6. Learning Indonesian can effectively train your brain. Research has it, that keeping your brain busy by learning something new, including a new language can help maintaining your brain’s health and performance. Taking an Indonesian language course can be an alternative for you. First of all, Bahasa Indonesia is relatively easy and simple to learn.

Have you learned Bahasa Indonesia now? How do you do your lesson? What advantages do you get from your current experience of acquiring Bahasa Indonesia as your new language? Share with us and let us know in the comment section.

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