Inside Look: Which Countries Use Indonesian Language?
The Indonesian language is the official language of Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, but its influence extends far beyond Indonesian borders. In Southeast Asia and Oceania, several countries have official recognition of Indonesian or significant Indonesian language use. In fact, according to official sources, there are over 40 million people in the world who speak Indonesian. We take an inside look at some of the countries where Indonesian is either an official language or significantly used.
The use of Indonesian as a lingua franca in Southeast Asia and Oceania is largely due to its strategic location, cultural ties, and historical exchange with neighboring countries. Today, Indonesian language is recognized as one of the most widely spoken languages globally. In this article, we will examine some countries with significant Indonesian language use, providing insights into their history, language regulations, and everyday usage.
Countries with Official Indonesian Language Recognition
In some Southeast Asian countries, Indonesian is an official language or significantly used in government, education, and informal communication.
### 1. East Timor
As East Timor's neighbor, Indonesia has a profound influence on this small island nation's language, culture, and politics. According to official figures, 70% of East Timorese speak Indonesian, making it the most widely spoken foreign language in the country. In 2015, the East Timorese government implemented a language education policy where students must choose between learning Indonesian or Portuguese, but both are taught in schools.
East Timor's use of Indonesian is largely a result of Indonesia's 24-year occupation, during which the language imposed significant cultural and economic control. While today East Timor is an independent nation, Indonesian continues to play a vital role in everyday communication. "We have Indonesian education, Indonesian culture and even Indonesian politics," says a 30-year-old teacher in East Timor, "but there's a movement among East Timorese to protect and promote our own language and culture, especially for young generations."
### 2. Malaysia
In Malaysia, the official languages are Malay, English and various other official languages, while Indonesian is widely used as a lingua franca among ethnic Chinese and Indians. According to a 2020 survey, 60% of Malaysians speak Indonesian as their second language. Indonesian is taught in many government schools as part of the curriculum, and most ethnic Chinese families encourage their children to learn Indonesian.
The use of Indonesian in Malaysia is largely due to the historical presence of ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, who spoke Indonesian dialects to facilitate trade, business, and social relationships. Today, as Malaysia strengthens its regional role, the country sees Indonesian language skills as an asset in its diplomatic and economic relations with Indonesia.
### 3. Singapore
Singapore has four official languages - English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil - but Indonesian is the language most commonly used among foreign workers, predominantly Indonesian and Malaysian immigrants. The Singaporean government does not mandate Indonesian language instruction, but it offers various free classes for foreigners who wish to learn the language to improve their daily lives.
Many Indonesian expats, including domestic workers, rely on their native language to communicate and navigate their daily lives. According to a Singaporean linguist, "Indonesian language remains an essential part of Singapore's multilingual identity and an important tool for social cohesion among the city-state's diverse population."
### 4. Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Although only 4,500 people speak Indonesian as a first language in PNG, Indonesian has significant use as a lingua franca and in business and trade. In a country with 800 languages, PNG has seen a rise in language contact and the increasing use of Indonesian is a response to regional economic integration. Indonesian is also the primary language for many foreign workers.
In Papua New Guinea, the official language is Tok Pisin, a creole language. Indonesian language instruction is largely informal and provided by expat teachers or foreign NGOs. Many Papua New Guineans recognize the value of Indonesian in enhancing their economic and social participation in regional trade.
The Influence of Indonesian Language Beyond Official Recognition
Countries that have no official Indonesian language recognition still have significant numbers of Indonesian speakers or use Indonesian as a secondary language.
### 1. Philippines
The Philippines is one of the countries in the Pacific region with a significant number of Indonesian language speakers, largely due to historical trade and migration between Southeast Asian island nations. Indonesian language is used among Filipino communities of Chinese descent as a lingua franca.
### 2. Australia
As a major economic and security partner to Southeast Asia, Indonesia's influence extends to the English-speaking world, including Australia. According to official statistics, 4,500 people in Australia speak Indonesian, mostly as a second language.
Australian universities offer extensive Indonesian language courses, which is encouraged by the Australian government as a strategic language for regional engagement. In schools and universities throughout the country, Indonesian language classes are an essential component in developing regional knowledge and diplomatic skills among students.
Regional Language Dynamics and Implications for Policy
The widespread use of Indonesian language speaks to the complex dynamics of language policy and cultural exchange in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. For countries with official Indonesian language recognition, there are ongoing debates on language preservation, bilingualism and the place of Indonesian in the educational system.
In contrast, for countries that have significant numbers of Indonesian speakers but no official language recognition, the dynamics can be more complex, involving issues of language use in informal settings or among migrant communities. These issues demand further understanding and exploration, to better comprehend and foster intercultural relationships between the Indonesian-speaking and English-speaking world.
The use of Indonesian in Southeast Asia and Oceania serves not only as a testament to its global influence but also reflects the growing recognition of regional interconnectedness and the importance of shared languages and cultures in fostering deeper connections.
