Language as taught in textbooks is occasionally at odds with language as employed by native speakers. I am always happy therefore to be corrected by someone kind enough to take a moment to explain.
We are told for instance in the text books that "selamat tinggal" is a correct form of saying 'goodbye'. If someone is leaving a place--say a friend who has been visiting for instance--we are to say "Selamat jalan". The person leaving is to say "Selamat tinggal to the party who is not leaving.
However, I was told yesterday that, in reality, saying "Selamat tinggal" is quite inappropriate, as it conveys, colloquially, a sort of curse, indicating that that person staying behind is actually about to die (from the verb "meninggal").
So, yeah … good to know.
One is to say simply "Sampai jumpa" (see you next time), or some variation like "Sampai nanti" (see you later) or Sampai ketemu lagi (until we meet again).
There are other forms within the language group where one thing in Indonesian means quite another in a local language (such as Balinese). One may ask, in Indonesian, if you'd like more to eat. "Masih lapar?" (still hungry?). The proper answer in Indonesian, if you're not hungry, is "Sudah kenyang" (I'm already full). In Balinese, however, 'kenyang' means that you have an erection--which, of course, always inspires peals of laughter).
So, yeah. Again … good to know.
In addition, there are many words that are employed in one island group but not in another. If you are in Java, "Mas" means 'young man'. In Bali the word "Bli" is used, meaning the same thing. Similarly, words of Arabic derivation will be commonly used in majority Muslim locales and not used in Hindu or Christian locales.
In short, it's all more complicated than straight textbook grammar and diction.
Curiously, I am told that a young woman (the friend of a friend) wonders if I can teach her to speak "American". Of course, there is no such thing as the American language. We speak English. On the other hand, there is such a thing as American when compared to Australian or the Queen's English (in fact, there are times when I have no idea what an Australian is saying). So, sure, I will try to teach the young woman 'American'. Although it may be (and probably is) that I myself am rather rusty where current usage is concerned.
We are told for instance in the text books that "selamat tinggal" is a correct form of saying 'goodbye'. If someone is leaving a place--say a friend who has been visiting for instance--we are to say "Selamat jalan". The person leaving is to say "Selamat tinggal to the party who is not leaving.
However, I was told yesterday that, in reality, saying "Selamat tinggal" is quite inappropriate, as it conveys, colloquially, a sort of curse, indicating that that person staying behind is actually about to die (from the verb "meninggal").
So, yeah … good to know.
One is to say simply "Sampai jumpa" (see you next time), or some variation like "Sampai nanti" (see you later) or Sampai ketemu lagi (until we meet again).
There are other forms within the language group where one thing in Indonesian means quite another in a local language (such as Balinese). One may ask, in Indonesian, if you'd like more to eat. "Masih lapar?" (still hungry?). The proper answer in Indonesian, if you're not hungry, is "Sudah kenyang" (I'm already full). In Balinese, however, 'kenyang' means that you have an erection--which, of course, always inspires peals of laughter).
So, yeah. Again … good to know.
In addition, there are many words that are employed in one island group but not in another. If you are in Java, "Mas" means 'young man'. In Bali the word "Bli" is used, meaning the same thing. Similarly, words of Arabic derivation will be commonly used in majority Muslim locales and not used in Hindu or Christian locales.
In short, it's all more complicated than straight textbook grammar and diction.
Curiously, I am told that a young woman (the friend of a friend) wonders if I can teach her to speak "American". Of course, there is no such thing as the American language. We speak English. On the other hand, there is such a thing as American when compared to Australian or the Queen's English (in fact, there are times when I have no idea what an Australian is saying). So, sure, I will try to teach the young woman 'American'. Although it may be (and probably is) that I myself am rather rusty where current usage is concerned.
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