Learning a new language opens doors to new cultures, ideas, and opportunities, but mastering correct pronunciation is a crucial aspect that is often underestimated. Pronunciation directly affects how well we are understood and how confidently we engage with native speakers. For native English speakers, the challenge of learning correct pronunciation in languages like Indonesian is significant due to differences in sounds, stress patterns, and phonetic rules. By understanding these challenges, learners can better navigate their language-learning journey.
Ensuring Communication and Clarity
One of the most important reasons to focus on pronunciation is that it ensures clarity in communication. Mispronouncing words can lead to misunderstandings, even if your grammar and vocabulary are correct. For example, in Indonesian, the word bisa (which means “can”) is pronounced “bee-sah,” with the “i” pronounced like the “ee” in “see.” However, an English speaker might mispronounce this as “bi-sa,” applying an English vowel sound, which would make it impossible for the listener to understand you. The correct pronunciation is…
bisa ‘can’
Because Indonesian is a phonetic language, where words are pronounced as they are written, small pronunciation errors can make a big difference. For instance, the word makan (to eat) and makin (more) may seem similar, but incorrect pronunciation can easily lead to confusion in everyday conversation.
Sounding Natural and Fluent
Correct pronunciation also helps learners sound more natural and fluent. For native English speakers learning Indonesian, the challenge lies in sounds that are not common in English. The rolled “r” in Indonesian, for example, is a common stumbling block. In English, the “r” is softer and less pronounced, while in Indonesian, it requires a tap or roll of the tongue as in rumah (house):
rumah ‘house’
Another area where non-native speakers often struggle is the Indonesian nasal sound “ng”, as in bangun (to wake up). Many non-native speakers tend to incorrectly pronounce it “bang-gun” – resulting in an awkward or foreign-sounding accent, which can make it harder to be understood by native speakers. The correct pronunciation, however, is:
bangun ‘to wake up’
Boosting Confidence and Building Connections
Mastering pronunciation not only makes you more comprehensible, but also boosts your confidence. Speaking with proper pronunciation allows you to participate more freely in conversations without the fear of being misunderstood. This is especially important in building relationships with native speakers, as it shows respect for their language and culture.
For example, correctly pronouncing the common greeting selamat pagi (good morning) with proper vowel sounds and stress patterns will make your speech more pleasant and better received by Indonesians. A learner who focuses on pronunciation will feel more at ease engaging with native speakers and be more willing to practice, which accelerates overall language acquisition:
Selamat Pagi ‘good morning’.
Caveats for Native English Speakers
English speakers face specific challenges when learning Indonesian pronunciation. English is known for its irregular spelling rules, where words are often not pronounced the way they are written. In contrast, Indonesian follows a consistent phonetic system. Native English speakers must be mindful not to rely on English vowel sounds when pronouncing Indonesian words.
For example, the Indonesian “e” in words like membeli (buy) is pronounced like the “e” in “chicken”, the “o” in “lemon”, or the first “a” in “banana”. Such small differences can lead to significant misunderstandings, which is why paying close attention to the new phonetic rules is essential.
membeli ‘to buy’
The Indonesian “a” in words like Bali or orang (person) is always pronounced like the “a” in “father”, not like the English “a” in “ball”, or “a” in “gang”. Such small differences can lead to significant misunderstandings! If you pronounce the word jalan as if it were an English word, people will likely not understand you as the proper pronunciation is
jalan ‘street’
Pronunciation Guide
Learning to pronounce a foreign language correctly is essential for clear communication, sounding natural, and building confidence. For you as a learner of Indonesian, the challenges of unfamiliar sounds and consistent spelling patterns can be overcome with practice and careful listening. It is especially helpful if you have a textbook, such as The Indonesian Way which places special emphasis on learning to pronounce Indonesian properly. At Indonesian Online, you can also find the free pronunciation guide “Mastering Indonesian Pronunciation”.