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Orcalion, I posted some pictures of Indonesian dancing and music and linked to this post in my blog yesterday.
posted by
elinjo
on October 21, 2009 at 8:30 AM
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That is fascinating
thank you for sharing.
posted by
lionreign
on October 20, 2009 at 8:34 AM
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Re: Indonesia
The hair at the back of my neck all went up when I read the fact about the world's languages..
.. For a long time I had suspected about extinction of some languages where the members of the group are not very large, but the suspicion wasn't anywhere near 1 every week!
Each language indeed is attached to a particular culture, because language is verbal expression of a culture. Losing a language definitely means losing a culture. Coming from a country of over 200 ethnic groups and over 500 ethnic languages, I fully realise the challenge of becoming global while nourishing individual cultural heritage. At the time being, it is practically almost impossible (apart from academic point of view).
I dream the same dream that you have been dreaming.. but if I have to face the fact that it doesn't happen, I will find my peace at abarnejee's thought.. it is a qualitative change.. it's not a perfect/desired outcome, but the loss is definitely not for nothing..
.. it is the big sacrifice that brings the world closer together..
I might sound a bit pessimistic at the moment, but I'm not. I have lived my life watching reality of different cultures blending around me and I do feel the loss with each disappearance, but with each blending, there is always a gain, to cover the loss, and it is something that I cannot ignore..
I guess this is just the two sides of this story.. a real-life story of the world.. 
posted by
orcalion
on October 20, 2009 at 3:44 AM
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Indonesia
Thankyou for this wonderful account about the history of Indonesia's official language and the effects it has had and is having on life in your country. Last year, for the 3rd year running, Esperantists in Copenhagen arranged a language festival; one of the chief participants was the Indonesian Ambassador who presented your language Bahasa Indonesia.
We think that Esperanto could one day be suitable as global auxiliary language; however in no way do we want to contribute to the further decline in the number of languages in the world; according to the following there are approximately 6500 languages left in the world and they are disappearing at the rate of 2 a week. Mind boggling isn't it?*
With regard to culture and language: when we lose a language we lose a culture. I dream of a world where we will work towards a culture of global tolerance and at the same time protect our individual and unique cultural heritage.
One advantage of Esperanto in comparison to English (de facto international language) in this respect is its culturally neutral aspect. Another advantage is Esperanto's simplicity (regular grammar, vocabulary based on roots and suffixes and phonetic pronunciation).
posted by
elinjo
on October 19, 2009 at 11:18 PM
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Re: abanerjee
That is a very good and wise way of looking at life..
You should come over and see Jakarta (and surrounding areas, if you have the time).. Please let me know when you are coming.. 
posted by
orcalion
on October 19, 2009 at 11:10 PM
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oraclion
Our little parts add up to the big, and the beauty is that we do not then remain parts. Just as the waters of a river is no longer sweet when it falls into the sea, it becomes salty. It also loses its earlier identity.There is therefore a qualitative change. Very much enjoyed the thoughts. By the way, one of my aunts lives in Jakarta. Now you have whetted my desire to visit Indonesia.
posted by
anib
on October 19, 2009 at 10:54 PM
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Re: shobana
I believe it is happening everywhere.. as the world becomes more global, more and more individual identities are slowly erased.. I really admire people who go to university to study about culture because they love it and do not want to see it disappear..
In the development, 'mainstream' Malaysian and Indonesian have gone to two different directions, but I find it interesting to listen to each local accent and some of them still have more similarities between one another than the 'official ones'.. For example, the Malay spoken by Melayu people in Sumatra is still very similar with the way Malacca people speak, and the Malay spoken by Sabah people (where a lot of Bugis -Sulawesi- people migrated to) is very much influenced by Bugis accent.. From experience, I have to say that I find it easier to follow Sabah and Malacca Malay, than KL Malay.. and although Indonesians people speak Indonesian, local accents DO get in the way.. I find some accents make it really difficult for me to understand what the person is trying to say (in Indonesian).. 
Life in the city has forced people to blend in, accept and adapt to each other at a very high rate. While rural people still keep to themselves, with their languages and cultures. It seems that globalisation and culture-preservation cannot find a common ground to be able to co-exist yet.. not only on our countries, but everywhere around the world..
Maybe some day.. both can live and grow together..
posted by
orcalion
on October 19, 2009 at 10:30 PM
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Orcalion - I loved this too. Yes how right you are about the extinction of the language (mother tongue) and culture. The current generation don't pay much attention to the need to maintain their individuality I feel and sometimes I feel a little let down. There is an identity crisis over here as you know on the some cultural issues and there is still parring going on where they originated. Indonesia and Malaysia have much in common and even though I speak the Malay language when I hear an Indonesian speak, there is much difference I feel..in the slang too. You have given me an insight into an Indonesian's view and the origins of the language.Thank you and have a nice day.
I read your comment earlier and I hope the same as you do.
posted by
shobana
on October 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM
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