ENGLISH
Dutch Loan Words in Indonesian; a legacy of a colonial past
The Indonesian language, in Indonesian Bahasa Indonesia, is a rich and dynamic language spoken by millions of people. One of the most striking features of this language is the presence of many loan words from other languages. Among these foreign influences, Dutch occupies a special place, as the Indonesian archipelago was a Dutch colony for centuries. Community manager Carmelito discovered several headings and markings containing Dutch words during his stay in Indonesia. You'll find some images of examples of this in his post. In this blog post, we take a closer look at these Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia and answer the question of which types of words were adopted most often and how these words became part of everyday language in Indonesia.
A dive into colonial history
From the beginning of the 17th century until just after the end of the Second World War in 1945, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. During this colonial period, the Dutch implemented their administration, legal system, education, and trade in the archipelago. As a result, Dutch became a language of administration, education, and formal communication. Although only a small percentage of the Indonesian population actually spoke Dutch, many Dutch words permeated local languages, including Malay, which eventually formed the basis for modern Bahasa Indonesia.
Examples of Dutch loan words
The Dutch influence is particularly noticeable in vocabulary related to governance, technology, infrastructure, clothing, food and household. Some examples of Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia are:
Kantor (from the Dutch word 'kantoor') - office
Lemari (from the Dutch word 'lammerij' or 'leemkast') - cupboard
Resleting (from the Dutch word 'ritssluiting') - zip
Gratis (same word in Dutch) - free of charge
Handuk from the Dutch word 'handdoek' - towel
Rok (same word in Dutch) - skirt
Bioskop (from the Dutch word 'bioscoop') - cinema
Usually, these words were phonetically adapted to Indonesian pronunciation and spelling, allowing them to be easily integrated into everyday language use.
Language adaptation
Despite the fact that the original pronunciation and spelling of many Dutch words were often lost, many loan words retained their meaning. However, some words derived from Dutch were given a different meaning or new context in Indonesian. For instance, the word 'polisi', from de Dutch 'politie' that has more or less the same pronunciation meaning police, is nowadays used exclusively for state power, while in Dutch it usually refers to the entire force or enforcement in general. In addition, some Dutch words are now perceived as old-fashioned or outdated, and these words are being replaced by English terms, especially among younger people. Nevertheless, many Dutch words, especially those relating to household objects and administration, remain prominent.
Cultural significance
The presence of Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia is more than just a linguistic phenomenon; it is a reflection of a shared history that has been as painful as it has been formative. These words recall a time of imperialism, but are also a testament to how Indonesia has been able to absorb these colonial linguistic influences into a unique language of its own.
Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia are a tangible remnant of a colonial and imperialist past. Besides giving the Indonesian language a strong historical dimension, these words also provide insight into how languages evolve under cultural and political influences. Although the Dutch language plays a relatively minor role in Indonesia today, its legacy lives on in certain words that are used on a daily basis.
Dutch Loan Words in Indonesian; a legacy of a colonial past
The Indonesian language, in Indonesian Bahasa Indonesia, is a rich and dynamic language spoken by millions of people. One of the most striking features of this language is the presence of many loan words from other languages. Among these foreign influences, Dutch occupies a special place, as the Indonesian archipelago was a Dutch colony for centuries. Community manager Carmelito discovered several headings and markings containing Dutch words during his stay in Indonesia. You'll find some images of examples of this in his post. In this blog post, we take a closer look at these Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia and answer the question of which types of words were adopted most often and how these words became part of everyday language in Indonesia.
A dive into colonial history
From the beginning of the 17th century until just after the end of the Second World War in 1945, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. During this colonial period, the Dutch implemented their administration, legal system, education, and trade in the archipelago. As a result, Dutch became a language of administration, education, and formal communication. Although only a small percentage of the Indonesian population actually spoke Dutch, many Dutch words permeated local languages, including Malay, which eventually formed the basis for modern Bahasa Indonesia.
Examples of Dutch loan words
The Dutch influence is particularly noticeable in vocabulary related to governance, technology, infrastructure, clothing, food and household. Some examples of Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia are:
Kantor (from the Dutch word 'kantoor') - office
Lemari (from the Dutch word 'lammerij' or 'leemkast') - cupboard
Resleting (from the Dutch word 'ritssluiting') - zip
Gratis (same word in Dutch) - free of charge
Handuk from the Dutch word 'handdoek' - towel
Rok (same word in Dutch) - skirt
Bioskop (from the Dutch word 'bioscoop') - cinema
Usually, these words were phonetically adapted to Indonesian pronunciation and spelling, allowing them to be easily integrated into everyday language use.
Language adaptation
Despite the fact that the original pronunciation and spelling of many Dutch words were often lost, many loan words retained their meaning. However, some words derived from Dutch were given a different meaning or new context in Indonesian. For instance, the word 'polisi', from de Dutch 'politie' that has more or less the same pronunciation meaning police, is nowadays used exclusively for state power, while in Dutch it usually refers to the entire force or enforcement in general. In addition, some Dutch words are now perceived as old-fashioned or outdated, and these words are being replaced by English terms, especially among younger people. Nevertheless, many Dutch words, especially those relating to household objects and administration, remain prominent.
Cultural significance
The presence of Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia is more than just a linguistic phenomenon; it is a reflection of a shared history that has been as painful as it has been formative. These words recall a time of imperialism, but are also a testament to how Indonesia has been able to absorb these colonial linguistic influences into a unique language of its own.
Dutch loan words in Bahasa Indonesia are a tangible remnant of a colonial and imperialist past. Besides giving the Indonesian language a strong historical dimension, these words also provide insight into how languages evolve under cultural and political influences. Although the Dutch language plays a relatively minor role in Indonesia today, its legacy lives on in certain words that are used on a daily basis.