The use of Indonesian at public spaces reflects a positive language act. The positive language act comprise act in language proper. Positive act in using language applies in accordance with the provisions and rules of the language. For this, the government (including regional government) needs to create a proper language act relates to the priority of Indonesian language use to strengthen its position as the State language.
Observing Indonesian language use at public spaces, the East Kalimantan Language Office conducted Supervision and Control of Language Use at Public Space in the East Kalimantan. The objectives of this activity to (1) supervise and control the language use at public spaces, (2) compilate language development materials at public spaces, (3) socialize on the proper language use at public spaces, and (4) manage, control, and evaluate on the language use at public space
Three cities and three regencies became the area of language supervision, namely Samarinda, Balikpapan, Bontang, Berau, Mahakam Ulu, and Kutai Kartanegara. Seven objects of language use were taken as samples from institutions in those cities and regencies. At the end, nine hundred objects of Language use at public space in the East Kalimantan were collected. Each institution’s sample would be administered by some objects as follows (1) writing on the name of the institution or building, (2) writing on the name of public facilities, (3) writing on the name of the room/meeting room, (4) writing the name of the product / service product, (5) writing on the name of the position, (6) writing on the directions or general signs, and (7) writing in the form of banners or other information devices.
Activities on Supervision and Control of Language Use at Public Space in the East Kalimantan are expected to provide a new perspective for the public in regard to Law Number 24 Year 2009 which regulates languages in Indonesia. As the result, Indonesian people obligate to prioritised their Indonesian as the official language at public spaces and various fields according to the situation and language rules.
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma