A Guide to Help You Speak Accurately
by Prof. Dr. Uli Kozok
Indonesian pronunciation is relatively straightforward, with just six vowels (compared to English’s 12) and 18 consonants. However, “straightforward” doesn’t necessarily mean that mastering Indonesian pronunciation is easy. Depending on your native language, Indonesian can present unique challenges. For instance, Japanese speakers might find the /l/ sound difficult, native English speakers often struggle with the rolled /r/, and Germans may have trouble with the “j” sound, which doesn’t exist in German. When I hear foreigners speaking Indonesian, I can often guess their origin based on their pronunciation or “accent.” This is completely normal, as achieving native-like pronunciation in a foreign language learned as an adult is nearly impossible. So, if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, don’t worry. However, it’s still important to strive for accuracy in your pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings. Hopefully, this guide will help you achieve that goal.
© Uli Kozok 2024