Berbahasa Satu: Baku Tak Mesti Kaku | Ivan Lanin | TEDxUINJakarta

Summary

Ivan Lanin shares his journey from a computer programmer to becoming a linguistics content creator on social media. He discusses the complexities of Indonesian language, highlighting the differences between formal and non-formal varieties, and how language functions in various contexts. He emphasizes the importance of understanding language rules, the impact of technology and social media on communication, and the diverse applications of language skills across various professions. Lanin concludes by stressing that mastering language is the key to success in the modern world, urging the audience to leverage their language skills for greater influence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ivan Lanin shares his journey from a computer programmer to a linguistics content creator, starting with Twitter in 2007.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of understanding language's formal and informal varieties, especially in the workplace.
• 😀 Ivan highlights the need for language rules in professional settings, as many documents contain errors due to improper language use.
• 😀 He explains that good language is context-appropriate, while proper language adheres to established rules.
• 😀 Language should be tailored to its purpose: advertising, official letters, and casual conversations all require different linguistic approaches.
• 😀 As a native speaker, people often use language without understanding its rules, leading to mistakes in communication.
• 😀 Ivan draws parallels between his engineering background and language use, focusing on identifying patterns in language.
• 😀 He discusses the three main functions of language: expression, communication, and social bonding.
• 😀 Language use varies across media, such as written text on WhatsApp versus spoken communication, and requires adaptation.
• 😀 Ivan notes the regional and generational differences in language, emphasizing the challenge of standardizing pronunciation and usage.
• 😀 He concludes by stressing the power of language, encouraging professionals to master linguistic skills to excel in various fields like writing, content creation, and business.

Q & A

What motivated Ivan Lanin to become a linguistics content creator?

Ivan was initially interested in contributing to Wikipedia after discovering it in 2006. This sparked his passion for learning about the Indonesian language, which he then began sharing on Twitter in 2007.

How did the early use of Twitter influence Ivan's work?

In 2007, only a few people were using Twitter, and most users were bloggers. Ivan saw it as an opportunity to share his knowledge about linguistics with a small community, which sparked an ongoing exchange of questions and answers.

What key lesson did Ivan learn from the questions people asked him?

Ivan learned that questions are beneficial because they motivate the search for more information, which helped deepen his understanding of linguistics.

Why do many documents contain errors, according to Ivan?

Ivan observed that many documents, particularly in companies, are riddled with errors such as typos and unclear sentences. This is partly because people often lack an understanding of the differences between formal and non-formal language varieties.

What are the challenges that college graduates face when entering the workforce, according to Ivan?

Graduates struggle to communicate effectively with their supervisors because they are not accustomed to using formal language in professional settings, often relying on non-formal language they use with friends.

How does Ivan explain the difference between 'good' and 'proper' language?

'Good' language means appropriate for the context, while 'proper' language adheres to the rules of grammar. Both are crucial in ensuring that language serves its purpose effectively in different settings.

What does Ivan think about the use of formal and non-formal varieties in language?

Ivan stresses that using formal language in informal settings and vice versa often leads to awkward situations. People should be aware of the context in which they use certain varieties of language.

How do language patterns and systems play a role in understanding linguistics?

As a computer programmer, Ivan is accustomed to recognizing patterns. He believes that language, like any system, follows patterns, although it also includes many exceptions.

Why is the social function of language important?

The social function of language is crucial for bonding with others. Ivan emphasizes that language is not just about communication, but also about expressing feelings and connecting socially.

How does Ivan view the language used on platforms like WhatsApp compared to formal writing?

Ivan notes that WhatsApp is technically a written medium, but its informal nature makes it closer to spoken language. This can lead to misunderstandings, especially when responses are overly brief or lack context.