They hardly speak of this language...making tourists like me to communicate with them...I can't learn Bahasa within the next 24 hours and talk to them easily....
2006-08-14 21:51:16 · 12 answers · asked by Mike_Cruiser 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It may be due to historical factor. Indonesia wasn't ruled by the British, but the Dutch, so naturally, English isn't the "half-official language" there as it is in Malaysia and official language in Singapore.
2006-08-14 22:54:05 · answer #1 · answered by English Learner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good for you to experience English is not omnipotent:) Never go to any country without trying to learn a bit of the language beforehand. Ironically Malay and Bahasa Indonesia (much the same language, in practical terms) are among the languages which are easiest to learn.
Having said that, all Indonesians I've met were quite fluent in English...
2006-08-15 05:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cristian Mocanu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most eastern countries don't speak English. I lived in Japan for 4 yrs teaching English as a second language. There is a big demand for it but it is hard for them to learn becasue they cannot practice with a native so easily.. just like us learning a second language. India and Thailand, Malasia, China and Korea and anywhere you travel over there- you are their guest and no.. English is barely prevalent. It is fun to try their language though. But the worst thing you can do is demand that they should know English when you travel to a new country. You are a guest in their country. It is just bad manners and showing how demanding and spoiled or sheltered our culture is. Our rich country is plastered all around the world.. but other countries are barely prevelent on the tube and then we think we should have everyone talk English becasue this is how we view our country- as TV portrays only English- and the people who live here have to speak English. Well it is the same when you live elsewhere. There are 100's of languages in the world. There are more Chinese speaking people then English speaking people! You should travel more!!
2006-08-15 05:02:42 · answer #3 · answered by Jess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are ... Indonesians? I mean, why do you want them to be FLUENT in English? Why can't YOU be FLUENT in Bahasa?
Just learn a few Bahasa(n) words and sentences, and maybe they'll be more willing to use the little English they know.
By the way, your English is pretty bad. Your second sentence doesn't really make sense.
2006-08-15 08:46:08 · answer #4 · answered by Offkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well...
since im indonesian and speaking english aswell...
it is because our national language is not english, and even indonesian, sometime, cant speak indonesian bahasa aswell..
there are a lots of indonesian'straditional langauge even dialect!
it is the dynamics and fun of being indonesia, or vicit indonesia, like u are...we're the colorful country of culture..
speaking of learning bahasa, it is easier learning indonesian bahasa than english...hehe
u can try!
2006-08-15 05:07:23 · answer #5 · answered by ribbon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exactly as the others said. Are you fluent in the languages spoken by people who visit America (my guess as to where you are from)? I doubt it. That is such an American attitude that everyone else in the world should accommodate you. When you go visit another country you should study up on at least the basics of the language.
2006-08-15 04:58:08 · answer #6 · answered by vampire_kitti 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are so few English speakers fluent in Indonesian languages?
2006-08-15 04:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are not good in everything... just good in producing haze and 'export' the haze to other country... cough cough... now is terriblely hazy in Malaysia.
learning/understanding Bahasa Indonesia is not something easy. even me, a Malaysian, who use Bahasa Malaysia (quite close to Bahasa Indonesia) everyday also couldn't understand what they said. the slang and their vocabulary is hard to understand.
so, forget about communicate with them in Bahasa Indonesia, use sign language instead.
2006-08-15 05:26:05 · answer #8 · answered by june81 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
English is not their main language. They're not in England or in an English-speaking country.
2006-08-15 04:58:16 · answer #9 · answered by appletech089 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beucase they are Indonesian, not American, or British, or Austrailian, or whatever other English speaking country.
2006-08-15 04:55:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋