Essential Indonesian Phrasebook
compiled by Iskandar P. Nugraha & Katherine Ingham

When travelling in a foreign land, it's impossible to really understand the culture without some knowledge of the language. Language teaches culture, not the other way around. Learning the language also helps profoundly to minimize culture shock, enabling you to settle in more quickly.
 
Many Indonesians in regular contact with tourists obligingly speak an abbreviated, simplified form of Indonesian, a sort of "Tourist Indonesian" involving much gesticulating and non-verbal facial language. Listeners sensitive to your very limited vocabulary and   struggles to find the right word will begin to use the same words as you, obligingly adopting your method and style of expression.
 
If staying for a month or two, a good phrasebook will serve you well, as long as you realize you're not really using the language. You're simply holding up verbal signs: "Where is the toilet?" God forbid you get back an answer not in the phrasebook.
 
In truth, the most important sentences in a phrasebook are "I don't speak the language" and “What is the Indonesian word for this?” and “How do you say...?” Then ask your questions. If you don't readily profess your ignorance, you're likely to receive an outpouring of verbiage impossible to comprehend.
 
Designed with the traveller in mind, the Periplus Essential Indonesian Phrasebook is an indispensable language aid. This pocket travel companion concentrates on information needed by travellers novices and old hands alike. It’s presented in a way that’s concise, accessible and easy to understand. Memorizing this little booklet will return its cost many times.
 
You’ll find within its pages encouragement to try new words, knowledge of the society you’ll be moving around in, and confidence to smooth the way. The phrasebook covers over 2,000 essential phrases arranged by frequency of use; a glossary of 2,000 most needed words; food, drink and lodging sections; phrases needed to ask directions, bargain and deal with other everyday situations; as well as tips for train, bus and automobile travel.
 
There are also instructions and phrases for emergencies, meeting people and striking up simple conversations, and essential grammar and pronunciation sections necessary to make your way smoothly through these thousands of islands.
 
You’ll find that the warung, restaurants, bus stops, markets, kiosks and offices all across this sprawling watery nation are the best language classrooms in the land. Just head towards any food stall and start up a conversation. Educated people will make themselves known; they will delight in teaching you. They're very patient, repeating and writing words for you, teaching aphorisms and idioms, breaking sentences down. Indonesians are very encouraging, crying out “Wah, pintar sekali!” ("Wow, very smart!") the moment you utter a few intelligible words.
 
Used in conjunction with the Essential Indonesian Phrasebook, these regular daily Indonesian lessons with the people, the rakyat, are easily the equal of a $1200 Berlitz Total Immersion Course.
 
Essential Indonesian Phrasebook compiled by Iskandar P. Nugraha & Katherine Ingham, Periplus Editions 2003, oblong pocket size, 151 pages, ISBN 0-7946-0036-0.
 
Available for Rp75,000 at Periplus Bookshops in the Bali Galleria and in the Matahari in Kuta, Warung Made in Seminyak, Ngurah Rai Airport (both international and domestic terminals), in Gramedia Bookstores, and in Ary’s, Ganesha and Periplus bookshops of Ubud.
 
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Copyright@2005 PakBill
 
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