Why Indonesian Chinese can't speak Chinese?

Summary

This video explores the history behind why many Indonesian Chinese cannot speak Chinese. It traces the migration of Chinese people to Indonesia starting in the 13th century, their integration into society, and the impact of Dutch colonial rule and later Indonesian government policies. Under President Sukarno and especially Suharto, Chinese culture, including language, was heavily suppressed, making it dangerous to speak Mandarin or dialects. While these restrictions were lifted after 1998, the younger generation of Chinese Indonesians, now identifying primarily as Indonesians, has lost interest in learning Chinese, focusing instead on their Indonesian identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ethnic Chinese population in Indonesia, called 'Tionghoa,' makes up about 2% of the country’s population, or 2.8 million people.
• 😀 The term 'Tionghoa' comes from the Hokkien dialect, while in Mandarin, it is pronounced 'Zhonghua.'
• 😀 A small number of Indonesian Chinese speak Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Hakka, or Cantonese, but Mandarin is less commonly spoken today.
• 😀 Chinese migration to Indonesia began in the 13th century, with early Chinese communities forming in places like Lasem, Central Java.
• 😀 The early Chinese migrants lived closely with the local Indonesians (Pribumi), and intermarriage was common.
• 😀 During Dutch colonial rule, the Chinese were classified in a racial hierarchy, which led to discrimination and segregation.
• 😀 After Indonesia gained independence, President Sukarno restricted Chinese people from business activities outside the cities.
• 😀 Under President Suharto, the Chinese faced further discrimination: they were banned from holding important government positions and practicing Chinese traditions.
• 😀 The Chinese language, including Mandarin and other dialects, was forbidden under Suharto’s regime. Speaking Chinese in public was dangerous.
• 😀 After Suharto’s resignation in 1999, policies against the Chinese were lifted, and Chinese New Year was made a national holiday.
• 😀 Despite the repeal of discriminatory policies, the younger generation of Indonesian Chinese largely identifies as Indonesian and has little interest in learning Mandarin.

Q & A

What is the term 'Tionghoa' used for in Indonesia?

The term 'Tionghoa' refers to the ethnic Chinese population in Indonesia, derived from the Hokkien dialect, and it corresponds to 'Zhonghua' in Mandarin.

How many ethnic Chinese people live in Indonesia according to the 2010 population census?

According to the 2010 population census, approximately 2.8 million ethnic Chinese people live in Indonesia, making up about 2% of the total population.

Why do many Indonesian Chinese not speak Mandarin or Chinese dialects?

Many Indonesian Chinese cannot speak Mandarin or Chinese dialects due to historical policies that banned the use of Chinese languages, especially during the rule of President Suharto.

When did Chinese migrants first settle in Indonesia, and where did they establish their community?

Chinese migrants began settling in Indonesia in the 13th century, and they established a community in Lasem, Central Java, known as 'Tiongkok kecil,' meaning 'Little China.'

How were ethnic Chinese people classified during the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia?

Under Dutch colonial rule, ethnic Chinese were classified as 'Foreign Easterners,' a middle class between the Europeans (at the top) and the local Indonesians (Pribumi, at the bottom).

What policies were implemented against the Chinese population after Indonesia gained independence?

After independence, the first President Sukarno restricted Chinese people from engaging in business outside the cities, and under President Suharto, discriminatory policies were enforced, including preventing them from holding important government positions and prohibiting Chinese traditions.

How did the Indonesian government treat Chinese language and culture during Suharto's regime?

During Suharto's regime, Chinese culture and language were heavily restricted. Speaking Mandarin or any Chinese dialect was dangerous, and Chinese-language schools were banned.

When were discriminatory policies against Chinese in Indonesia repealed?

The discriminatory policies against Chinese were repealed after Suharto resigned, starting with President Habibie and further under President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) in 1999.

What changes occurred in Chinese education after the repeal of discriminatory policies in Indonesia?

After the repeal of discriminatory policies, Mandarin was introduced as a subject in schools with large Chinese populations, and Mandarin courses became more prevalent.

Why are younger generations of Indonesian Chinese not interested in learning Mandarin?

The younger generations of Indonesian Chinese are less interested in learning Mandarin because they are comfortable using Indonesian as their primary language and identify as Indonesians rather than Chinese, viewing China as only part of their history.