Any seasoned traveler will tell you that the ability to speak the language of your host country will have a huge effect on the quality of your experience there. A basic grasp of such simple, everyday phrases as 'Good morning', 'Thank you', and variations of the theme 'I want to eat/sleep' are enough to explain what you want, make friends, find your way, learn correct prices, and generally make your stay more enjoyable. You'll be amazed at how much you can say with only a 500-word vocabulary.
At first, Indonesian might appear extremely simple. It's a nontonal language with no tense suffixes or prefixes, no case genders or definite articles, no declensions, no conjugations, not even a verb 'to be'. In actuality, however, the very lack of obvious rules makes it difficult to speak the language correctly or express yourself in a natural way. To speak enough Indonesian to get by is easy-easier than English. But to speak Indonesian well is another matter; it's as difficult and sophisticated as any of the world's great languages. But the surprised expressions and smiles of those you address will be your reward. Selamat belajar!
Highly Recommended Websites
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a nation in Southeast Asia.
Comprising 17,500 islands, it is the world's largest archipelagic state ...
Javanese Dictionary (bausastra). The Javanese language is the spoken language of the people in the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java. It is the native language of more than 75,500,000 people.
Free Indonesian-English Dictionaries.
- A set of English-Indonesian/Indonesian-English dictionaries -
- A compilation of dictionaries with clear and precise translations -
- A search-box (like Google) focused on both the English and Indonesian languages -
Indonesian Easy.
The Online Indonesian Phrasebook.
Learn Indonesian with The Online Indonesian Phrasebook:
a collection of useful phrases from beginning vocabulary to the words you need for surfing - and even flirting.
Indonesian Language Videos, Belajar Bersama video series is an Indonesian language learning resource that will enhance and facilitate the learning process for both students and teachers, with extensive instructor manuals and lesson scripts.
Belajar Bersama is a series of seven Indonesian language videos created to fulfil the needs of those teaching and learning Bahasa Indonesia.
A new video series for teaching Indonesian Language at upper primary / lower secundary level.
A web site providing a one-stop site for people looking for products and services for teaching, learning and using the Indonesian Language: books, bookstores, courses, media, organizations, schools, services, software, etc.
LearnBahasa is maintained by volenteer Indonesian language teachers in Singapore. This Yahoo! group is intended for learners of Indonesian language to get in touch with the language through building vocabularies. LearnBahasa posts daily vocabularies with sentence sample and further grammatical usage. Members are welcome to consult and give their input about Indonesian language and culture.
'Mari kita belajar Bahasa Indonesia bersama-sama' (Let's learn Bahasa Indonesia together)
This web site is designed for use by Indonesian language teachers in English speaking schools. It contains resources for teachers and students, links to valuable sites, and further information.
Not to be Missed! Grammar, Readings, Vocabulary Lessons, Texts, and Links to Many Other Indonesian Sources. This site is a major resource for students learning Indonesian. Sponsored by the SEAsite project at Northern Illinois University.
ACICIS is a consortium of Australian universities which includes as members most of the country's leading institutions in the field of Indonesian studies.
This course is for graduates of programs other than Asian studies to develop skills in an Asian language and understanding of the cultural heritage which underlies that language.
At Cornell University, SEAP is designated as a National Resource Center (NRC) by the United States Department of Education 2006 - 2010. As such, the Program is nationally prominent in promoting advanced foreign language training, area and international knowledge in the liberal arts and applied discipline focused on Southeast Asia.
IALF has schools in Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar. It is established under a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of Australia and Indonesia to provide Indonesian and English language services.
At the University of New South Wales, the Department of Chinese and Indonesian offers Indonesian subjects for all levels of proficiency, from beginners to native speakers. You do not have to have HSC Indonesian to enrol.
Indonesian language course in Yogyakarta - a multi language center where foreigners can learn Indonesian language (bahasa Indonesia) as well as its culture and local language in the homelike atmosphere, and where Indonesian nationals can learn foreign languages in the same atmosphere.
The Indonesian Studies program offers a major in Indonesian language, which includes some background study of modern Indonesian literature and society.
The Economic and Business News Weekly Magazine Indispensible to people who need an accurate, reliable and objective coverage of important economic events.
