It is widely accepted that language and culture are deeply interconnected. This intuitively makes sense. Words teach us how to behave, to whom, and when. Worldviews are built upon a foundation of words. We likewise cannot describe a culture without words. As I’ve aged, I’ve noticed that words (exponentially aided by technology) are morphing my culture into something increasingly alien that threatens to leave me behind. Perhaps it’s already happened - reading even digitally is analog and passe, giving way to tiktok and vblogs. I am a living fossil in my 40’s. But I digress.
My $0.02 On Language
Language helps reinforce existent culture. You are important in Indonesia, much more so than I am. Consequently, more words for “you” exist. The worldview is not only reinforced by a language’s pronouns but also by what is deemed acceptable to say. For example, it is rude to say, “I don’t like [insert]” if another person present does like it. In Indonesia, people commonly say, “I like this less,” because it is not total dislike. Indonesia is a religiously plural country with unity in diversity as one of its main tenants. But if you like durian, I guess I can say I like it less. I’ll like it a little more just for you.
Language acting through other institutions can cause paradigm shifts. Every new philosophy codified into a law or policy can potentially become part of the warp and woof of the cultural fabric. Popular entertainment and religion introduce new language and ideas (or recycle old ones) into extant culture. Social media accelerates the spread sufficiently such that we have developed the phrase, “going viral”.
Some fun examples:
- The Third of Five Pillars in Pancasila: Persatuan Indonesia (Indonesian Unity). Indonesia has almost 300 different people groups in it (or closer to 1,300 depending on whom you ask). Yet none will say, “I am Sunda-Indonesian” or “I am Chinese-Indonesian”. They are simply Indonesian. Asking where they’re really from is (still) silly.
- When Indonesia adopted the internet, the language had not yet developed words for downloading and uploading. The public simply adopted the English terms “download” and “upload” into the common lexicon. The government later developed “Unduh” and “Unggah”, but it was too late. No one uses those terms. Indonesia is currently number one for internet use even without the government’s help.
- It is common to hear people tell you “Inshallah” if you invite them somewhere. “Inshallah” is a Muslim phrase that translates to, “If Allah wills”. It is the fanciest “maybe” you will ever hear. They also most likely mean, “No”. It is a great way to avoid shaming the requester with refusal while simultaneously avoiding responsibility and reprisal.
- “Kepo” was a word adopted into the common lexicon in 2012. It means that someone is being nosy. However, “kepo” is not originally an Indonesian word. “K.E.P.O” is an acronym that stands for “Knowing Every Particular Object”.
Language is the medium through which the brain is molded to reflect the common culture shaped by institutions. Language shapes the way we understand ourselves, the will of God, the flow of events, and the way the world works. If the world moves on ahead and the words are not there, we make (or “borrow”) used ones. We see, understand, and feel the world through the words that shape it.
You Are Me
Indonesian culture is highly collective. My layman’s suspicion is that the higher concentration of “you’s” in Bahasa Indonesia reinforces and perpetuates their collective culture. Correctly “homing in” on the proper address for one’s target audience necessarily forces the speaker to consider what is appropriate and polite to the other. Logically, practiced long enough, one becomes more other-centric than egocentric. All the previous expounding comes to one point: I wonder if their language helps to explain why Indonesians are bonded together in a way I rarely see reflected by US citizens.
- Going out is always a social event. Most prefer to do things with others. When arranging to meet with another, expect to also see several people the other person invited. I tend to draw many stares whenever I’m out alone (which is often) solely because it is so unusual. My backpack saves me because it identifies me as a foreigner rather than a social outcast.
- We’ve walked down our current street many times before moving in without anyone giving us a second look. The day before we moved in, everyone looked at us, smiled, greeted us. Everyone knew who we were even though I’d never seen most of them before. I told one of the locals we were going to move in the next day. He said, “Lantai dua? (Floor two?)” That was rhetorical; we both knew he knew. We were the new “you’s” in the ‘hood.
- Some family friends took their children unto an angkot. There was not enough seating for all the children. One of the older ladies on the angkot took and sat one of the daughters on her own lap without so much as permission or offer. The daughter didn’t mind, and everyone got to their destination safely.
- When traffic accidents occur, everyone in the intersection jumps in to help. People will drag victims and vehicles off the main street as they can (usually scooter accidents).
- On May 26, 2022, an Indonesian governor’s son went swimming in the Swiss River Aare. He went missing and was presumed drowned. His body was later found on June 8th. In the interim, hundreds of Indonesian netizens gave the river a 1 star review (out of 5) on google maps, dumping on both the river and the government for not regulating activity along the river.
I am I and You are You
By contrast, the US has a 1:1 ratio “I / Me” and “You”. If the sheer plenitude of “you’s” in Bahasa Indonesia can perpetuate an attitude of togetherness, then it stands that the dearth of “you’s” in English facilitates egocentricity. The simplicity of English “you” is beautiful, but I wonder if that same simplicity also provides impetus to disregard another. “You” allows a person to disregard person, hierarchy, or authority. The pronoun implies equality when none is warranted. At the worst, “I” is just that much more interesting.
I may be out of touch with the current American Ethos, but I feel that every situation above would evoke a different response in the US. Perhaps all the US media I absorb tends to magnify the worst of my country. It is possible that every example I draw from is simply confirmation bias. I may be the sole loudmouthed, individualistic iconoclast and I’ve only noticed it now that I am in someplace profoundly other.
That last idea is plausible. It is held up by the sheer number of genuinely selfless individuals I know in the US. They come from all walks of life, ages, and creeds. All of them have dedicated themselves to the betterment of their local communities and even to the world at large. I’m perfectly happy to be wrong about my home country in the faces of such wonderful people.
I don’t think American culture is terrible. I just think America’s culture should extend its collectivism beyond mere citizenship and those who agree with ourselves. If we develop more words that force us to look outward more often than inward, maybe we could begin to work towards such a future. Here’s to a more “you-tiful” vobaulary!
Coda: The Flying Eagles
Near a laundromat I frequent is a large sign. The sign is an advertisement for bikers to join a biker association. The president and VP are shown in color in the top left and right, respectively. Black-and-white pictures of approximately 30 other men, mostly between 30-40, are all shown in a collage of various poses. These photos were clearly all sent in as solo shots and then photoshopped in.
I love this sign because it tries so hard yet falls so far. The ad reads: “Don’t worry if you are outnumbered…. Eagles Fly Alone.” They provide a contact number on the bottom. Given that 90% of the ad shows 30-something-odd men in various tough-guy poses, the implied message is:
“Don’t worry if you are outnumbered…. Eagles Fly Alone…. Together.” How Indonesian.