110-214 Indonesian Languages in Social Context

Usually 25 points of first-year Indonesian

This subject focuses on the role of personal, societal, and historical contexts in the use and development of languages in the Indonesian archipelago. It introduces students to sociolinguistc analysis in the context of specific Indonesian societies (eg. Batak, Javanese, Maluku) and across the Indonesian nation. The subject engages with issues of language in society including language planning, literacy, politeness, multi-lingualism, interpersonal interaction, traditional and modern communication systems, differences in style according to genra (eg. written and spoken language), function (eg. conversational, ritual, or political language) and social identity (eg. class, ethnic, gender or sexual identification). Students should develop an understanding of the close relationship that social context, interpersonal interaction, and culture have with language form and usage.

Written work totalling 4000 words.

Material prepared by the Institute.

• J J Errington, Shifting Languages: Interaction and Identity in Javanese Indonesia. Cambridge University Press 1998.