Which is More Important: Formal or Informal Indonesian?
Some people focus exclusively on colloquial Indonesian and find it sufficient for their needs. They can communicate effectively, which is, of course, the main goal of learning a language.
However, without a solid foundation in formal Indonesian, they cannot read books or newspapers, nor can they understand news broadcasts on television or radio. Additionally, they may unknowingly risk embarrassing themselves or giving the impression of being disrespectful in certain situations.
What Exactly Is “Colloquial Indonesian”?
Colloquial Indonesian consists of various Malay dialects spoken informally across Indonesia. For example, Papuan Malay (bahasa Papua) is widely used alongside local languages in Papua, Manado Malay (bahasa Manado) is common in North Sulawesi, and Betawi Malay (bahasa Jakarta) dominates in Jakarta.
Jakarta Malay is not only widely spoken in Jakarta but has also gained national popularity due to its use in films and television soap operas. When people refer to colloquial Indonesian, they are often talking about Jakarta Malay (bahasa Jakarta).
How Different Is Formal Indonesian from Colloquial Indonesian?
The differences between formal and colloquial Indonesian are significant. They differ in vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure—essentially functioning as two distinct languages. Despite this, they share many similarities, since both are Malay dialects.
Importantly, there is no rigid divide between formal and informal Indonesian. Speakers often blend the two, communicating along a spectrum that ranges from highly colloquial to relaxed formal and, occasionally, very formal, which is typically reserved for written language.
How Can I Learn Both Colloquial and Formal Indonesian?
Indonesian Online courses teach both formal and colloquial Indonesian. Words exclusive to formal language are clearly marked, as are those used only in colloquial contexts. This method ensures learners can seamlessly navigate between the two.
Could Using Colloquial Indonesian Sound Rude?
Absolutely. Using colloquial Indonesian inappropriately can lead to embarrassing situations. For example, addressing your university rector with a phrase like ”Gue suka banget ame lu” (“I like you very much” in highly colloquial language) could leave bystanders cringing and wishing they weren’t there.
To prevent such faux pas, our courses avoid teaching phrases that could easily be misinterpreted as offensive in the wrong context. Instead, we guide you gradually—from relaxed formal Indonesian, suitable for most situations, to more colloquial and formal levels. With our materials, you can learn confidently and appropriately.
Is Colloquial Indonesian Slang?
This is a common misconception, but it’s not entirely accurate. Slang is defined as highly informal language, that typically is restricted to a particular context or group of people. So, colloquial Indonesian can, of course, contain slang, but generalising it as “slang” is clearly misleading.
Do People always use Colloquial Indonesian when they speak?
Most Indonesians will say, “Of course, nobody speaks using formal Indonesian”, but that is not entirely correct. Jakarta-style Indonesian is not universally used. In Bali, and on many islands in eastern Indonesia, and also in many parts in Sumatra and Kalimantan, people tend to speak in a more formal style of Indonesian.
Also, real formal and “bookish” Indonesian does exist, but it is rarely used in daily life. Even Indonesian newspapers no longer adhere strictly to formal language. In academic journals, it’s widely acceptable to use terms like bisa instead of the more formal dapat. The language found in most Indonesian mass media can best be described as a relaxed form of formal Indonesian.