These two Indonesian language books, though meant for readerships at opposite ends of the spectrum of life experience, are both beginning language learning aids. One is aimed at a child and the other at the seasoned traveler. The first helps a very young person to start learning the language and culture while the other helps the traveler do the same, but in the context of getting the most out of his or her travels in the country.
Survival Indonesian
This practical phrasebook puts all the most important Indonesian words and phrases in the palm of your hand (dimensions only 10 cm X 15 cm). It contains all the necessary words and phrases for speaking Indonesian in almost any kind of setting, including the social media sphere (email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and shopping at the mall.
Meant for travelers, tourists, students and business people learning Indonesian and learning about culture and local activities, it gives a deeper understanding of Indonesian than a typical Indonesian phrasebook or an Indonesian dictionary.
The new phrase book is organized by situations where one might need to speak Indonesian: staying in a hotel, getting around in a taxi, eating out, using numbers, sightseeing, seasons and weather, etc.
Key features include:
– Explore Indonesia armed with hundreds of useful
Indonesian words and expressions.
– A pronunciation guide for Indonesian letters and words.
– A basic guide to Indonesian grammar.
– Meet and greet: The right greeting for almost any situation.
– Who, what, where, why, when: Requesting things and asking questions.
– The ties that bind: Talking about your family.
– What time/day is it? Telling time and days of the week.
– How to read menus and important road signs.
– A section on specific titles and place names.
– A 25-page English to Indonesian dictionary for quick reference.
– Dual-language Manga illustrations provide fun visual cues.
As a bonus, a mini 26-page “Exploring Indonesia” section gives basic information about Indonesian holidays, customs and popular travel destinations.
Author Katherine Davidsen completed her BA in Indonesian at Monash University and her Masters in Applied Linguistics at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She has lived and worked in Jakarta, Indonesia, for over 15 years. Davidsen is also the author of the Tuttle Concise Indonesian Dictionary and Tuttle Mini Indonesian Dictionary.
Survival Indonesian: How to Communicate Without Fuss or Fear Instantly, Tuttle Publishing 2016, ISBN 978-080-484-5236, paperback, 192 pages.
My First Book of Indonesian Words
My First Book of Indonesian Words introduces the Indonesian language and culture to young children in an enjoyable and playful way. The familiar ABC rhyming structure combines with sparkling illustrations to encourage the natural ability of children to pick up a new language and vocabulary quickly.
The book is primarily aimed at Western kids in pre school, kindergarten or early primary school as an introduction to the language. In an email interview, the author explained that the book is popular with Indonesian parents living in Australia, USA or elsewhere. Parents buy it at airports for their grandchildren to encourage them to keep up the connection with the language. A grandparent can easily sit down and read the picture book to a young child, whether Indonesian or not.
Cultural and linguistic notes are added for parents to enhance the Indonesian learning experience. The words that have also been chosen have a cultural connection that would be of interest to a young child. They learn a word, a bit about that word and a cultural element. Language and culture go hand in hand.
The cheerful illustrations depict a friendly and culturally rich nation, where the people are happy to get to know you and to share a bit of who they are and how they live. Kids enjoy this as it makes the language come to life. Words for things kids already know in English are joined by words specific to Indonesia, giving kids a glimpse into Indonesian life.
Everyday expressions – like Apa kabar? (“How are you?”) – give kids a chance to communicate in a meaningful way and show them that when it comes to courtesy and friendliness, other cultures have a lot in common with their own.
Author Linda Hibbs has been studying the language and culture of Indonesia since her first visit at age 12. She has taught Indonesian at the secondary and university levels for over two decades, and holds degrees in the Indonesian language and ethnomusicology as well as a Master’s degree in Asian Studies.
She is an educational consultant who has created teaching resources for Indonesian language educators at the primary and secondary school levels. Hibbs is the author of All About Indonesia and the Indonesian for Kids flash card sets.
My First Book of Indonesian Words by Linda Hibbs, illustrations by Julia Laud, Tuttle Publishing 2016, ISBN 9780804845571, paperback, 32 pages.
For any publishers interested in having one of their books considered for review in Toko Buku, please contact: pakbill2003@yahoo.com.
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