Jakarta city as the capital of Indonesia has mixed up ethnic groups, even foreign
people working with companies, diplomaic mission staffs and traders. Thaks god
that Indonesia has national language called Bahasa Indonesia which is the daily
communication of the people of Jakarta. The history of Jakarta has formed the
social condition of a society reflecting national variety wih various influences
of foreign elemetns. It was thought that the original resident of Jakarta as the
Betawi
people, but historical researches show different trace. Toward the middle
of 20th century new identity of Betawi was known and was the majority of the people
in Jakarta. Among those people they speak bahasa Indonesia with changes of some
vocal at the end of the word ( ultime pronounciation ) where / a / is pronounced
as / é / such as / Jakarta / they say / Jakarté /, / apa / they
say / apé / and all words ending with vocal / a /. It is lucky also that
bahasa Indonesia expresses egaliteration society which is very different from
Javanese and Balinese, so one can quickly leran some expression without higher
risk of humiliated one person by their speak. The ethic of communication is the
same as other people of Indonesia, basically they do not feeel confortable if
their speach is cut or face doesn't meet. Shouting is considered serious menacing
and should be avoided, what ever straint the situation is. Some phrases as an
example of communication in bahasa Indonesia are given below, with some notes as follows:
# Addressing people in a communication needs personal
pronounce which is considered polite. For man / woman of older age the title of
" Pak " from " Bapak ", and " Bu " from " Ibu
" are good enough, since there is no other choice available, as the comparison of Sir and Madam.
- Selamat pagi Pak / Bu = Good morning Sir / Madam,
- Boleh saya bertanya? = May I ask a question?
Bahasa Indonesia introduces the words for greeting such as :
Good moring = Selamat pagi
Good afternoon = Selamat siang
Good evening = Selamat sore
Good night = Selamat malam or Selamat tidur
For woman / man that appear younger, a tittle of "
Dik " from " Adik " means brother or
sister ( used for both sexes ) is considered more polite
and colloquial :
- Hello dik, boleh saya bertanya? = Hallo brother/sister can I ask you?
In pulic communication it is used to address younger people with more plite feeling.
Plase note, that reading the alphabet of used in the composition of words of Bahasa
Indonesia just like reading Italian, totally different from reading in English.
One alphabet is considered represent single vocal or consonant, for example /
a / is read as English / are /, / i / is read as / e / in meet,
/ u / is read like /oo/ in book, /o/ is read as / o / in ago.
In contemporary style Jakarta always has funny expression that is used to show
their identity being the people of the metropolis, but this style would not be
necessary to be discussed dhere, as they will aware if they speak with whom, and
if they would understand what they are pronouncing. Some short pharases that might
useful for travelers to Jakarta will be presented in small numbers with formation concept.
# Question Words:
- Where is/are the .............. = Di mana ............?
used to ask about nounce/impersonal/gerund. For example
are some questions as follows:
+ Where is the book? = Di mana buku itu?, Where is the
teacher ? = Di mana Guru? Where is he ?= Di mana dia?
and others.
+ Where do you work? = Di mana anda bekerja?, Where are you going = Ke mana anda
pergi? and others.
+ How + Verb = Bagaimana caranya? for exambple :
How it work? = Bagaimana caranya kerja?, How you do?
= Bagaimana caranya anda mengerjakan? and others,
+ How + Ajective = Alangkah, for examples :
How beautiful she is! = Alangkah cantiknya dia, How
heavy it is = Alangkah beratnya, and others.
+ Who + Personal pronounce = Siapa? asking about a person.
Who is coming? = Siapa yang datang?, Who is working
there? = Siapa bekerja di sana? and others.
+ What = Apa? for example : Apa itu? = what is that?,
Whatever is that = Apapun itu, What it means? = Apa
artinya? and others.
Where = Di mana or Ke mana, for example : Where are you going = ke mana anda pergi?,
Where are you staying = di mana anda tinggal?, Where is the place = Di mana tempat
itu?, and others. Wherever it is = di manapun itu. Whereabout of him = Ada di
mana dia?
+ Which = Yang mana? for example? Which do you like?
= Anda suka yang mana, Whichever you say = Apapun yang
anda katakan, and others.
# Wish or Would like = ingin, bermaksud. I wish to
come = Saya ingin datang, I would like you to say = Saya ingin anda yang mengatakan,
Your wishing is good = Keinginan anda bagus, and so on.
# Time = Jam, Waktu, Saat. What time is it? = Jam
berapa?, How many hours = Berapa jam?, It is time to lunch = Saatnya makan siang,
For the time being = Pada saat ini, In due time = Pada waktunya.
# Personal Pronounce : She/he = dia, him/her = dia,
nya, his/her = miliknya. She/he sings = dia bernyanyi, She/he hit him/her = dia
memukul dia ( dia memukulnya ), She/she sing for him/her = dia bernyanyi untuknya.
They = mereka, mereka itu, them = mereka for example : They called them = Mereka
memanggil mereka itu ( object must be visible, if not must add a description to
indicate which of them ). You = kamu ( very colloquial ), anda ( polite ), saudara
( formal ). Address to a person which is not well known is better to use anda
or saudara. Although a person is well known but older age will be better to use
his/her title as mentioned above. For example there is a discussion of two indonesian persons :
Marsiem ( younger ) : Who is coming ( Siapa yang datang? )
Marsinem ( older ) : Me, you take this to kitchen (
Saya, kamu ambil ini dan bawa ke dapur ).
Marsiem : No, you do it ( Tidak, anda saja bawa ). If you are serious to step
by step apprehend bahasa indonesia you can visit more complete guidance.
Getting in touch with the people of Jakarta whatever their religion is, follows
almost the same manner for example address older people by his/her name is not
considered polite. Pointing with left hand or by foot is also not polite. Giving
something or receiving by left hand is also considered not polite. Among the Muslim
people they do not eat beef and observe fasting periode, during the month of Ramadhan.
It is suggested not to eat or drink thing at front of them, or better ask if they
join the fasting, if yest avoide this, smoking at front of them is also be avoided.
Taxis transporataion are available in Jakarta city and the airort. Make sure
you must order your taxi or car from a tour company which is legally certified,
note the name of the company, their telephone number or even the name of he driver
and address which is usually stands at the front of the driver on the dasborad.
If you order your taxi or transortation from a tour operator it would not need
to worry anything, yet youmight wish to do your own but this is a very important
advise you have to take as consideration. Taking taxi on the road withouth knwoing
well their company is strongly not suggested or even take a taxi at the airport
with clear identification you must make the driver not to take a passengers on
the road during your travel, if the taxi with meter you must make sure that the
driver put on the tools with pretext you can read, and if this is not agreed by
the driver you better not take his service. In case you take a taxi meter do not
continue your journey if you find this condition. Make sure doors are locked.
Shopping or tipping most of restaurant add 5.5 % to 10% from the bill yet no limitation
for extra tip if you feel that they are deserve too. Payment by creidt card will
be added 3% to 3.5% from the total bill as the interest incurred by the bank to
the merchant. In case you shop or buy someting and pay by credit card it would
be wise to ask this first to the verndor if you will count such an additional
charges. For porters at the airport and the hotel Rp 2.000 per luggage usually
sufficent for shorthaul. For taxi driver a tip of Rp 5.000 for short journey between
30 to 60 minutes would be sufficient, but not limited if you feel that he deserves
to get more from you. Cuisine in Jakartas' restaurants cover many types all around
the glove. Many of the best can be found at restaurant belong to the hotels. The
bigger concentration of cafes and restaurants can be found at southern suburb
of Kemang, there you can find every thing from Turkish to Brazilian and American
ribs, all in close proximity to each other as well as scores of theme cafes and
night spots. |