Job Discussion Forums

[sidjameson]

Is Bahasa enough? I mean, we all agree that to get the most out of any experience abroad one must ideally speak the language. But what if there is more than one local language?

Of course I know the, everybody learns Indo line, but if say one was to intend to live forever in a certain part of Indonesia how important do you think it would be to learn the local language?

Would you say that Bahasa is a second language for most Indonesians and as such only of limited value? Or can it be seen as a first language more often than not?

[Kebo]

Just speak English and use the word 'juta' as much as possible.
Since juta has become an English word I propose adding -s when plural.

"The girl I took home last night stole jutas and jutas of Rupiah from my wallet"


Same goes for the word pembantu.

[Atoms for Peace]

[reddrake]

[laughing_magpie06]

The respect level would soar if one could speak a local dialect as well as the national language. I have a friend who has got out of jams witht e police and immigration simply by speaking a few words of batak or javanese depending on who he was with at the time.

[tanyakenapa]

Yeh certainly make an effort to learn a few lines of the local language.

Have to agree with previous poster, it can easily get you out of trouble, or when you get the usual F you mister (or miss in my case) or any other stupid comments they like to make, saying a few lines back in their own local lingo actually makes them laugh and respect you a lot more.

If you happen to pass the same people everyday, you'll notice a huge difference, no more F you's to speak of.