Essential Indonesian reading : a learner's guide

Product Description

About the Book: This two-volume series is ideal for learners who have acquired a basic knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia but wish to master its finer points. Selected and edited by well-known scholars of Indonesia, this series not only enables learners to read newspaper and books in Bahasa Indonesia but also to understand the colourful culture and lifestyle of the people of Nusantara. "Essential Indonesian Reading: A Learner’s Guide 1" provides 172 passages carefully chosen from Indonesian dailies. The instructive and often humourous passages introduce depict everyday situations that occur in different regions of Indonesia. Ample examples on the correct forms and usage of Bahasa Indonesia are given, providing a better appreciation of cultural nuances. These passages in the book highlight and explain the differences between Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) and Bahasa Indonesia. Whether one is in Sumatra, Jakarta, Java or the outer islands, this book is an essential guide to help the vistor come to grips with the language and to communicate more effectively.

About the Author

About the Authors: Dr. Liaw Yock Fang acquired his B.A. and M.A. in Indonesian Language and Literature from the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia. He also holds a Drs. and Dr. of Literature degrees in Indonesian Language and Literature from the University of Leiden, Leiden, the Netherlands. His main publications include Undang-Undang Melaka (The Laws of Malacca) (Leiden, 1976); Sejarah Kesusastraan Melayu Klasik (History of Classical Malay Literature), 2 volumes (Jakarta, 1991, 1993; First edition, Singapore, 1975); Nahu Melayu Moden (Modern Malay Grammar) (Co-author: Abdullah Hassan, Kuala Lumpur 1994; First edition Singapore, 1985) and 11 handbooks in the ‘Times Learn Malay’ and ‘Times Learn Indonesian’ series, the most recent one being Indonesian for Daily Use (2003). Dr. Liaw was an Associate Professor with the Department of Malay Studies, the National University of Singapore. He has recently retired but he still teaches Malay and Indonesian at the NUS Extension and is also actively in conducting research on Malay/Indonesian languages and literatures. Dr Leo Suryadinata is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. He is a former Professor from the Deparment of Political Science at the National University of Singapore. He has published extensively. His Indonesian/Malay publications include: Dilema Minoritas Tionghoa (Jakarta, 1984), Kebudayaan Minoritas Tionghoa di Indonesia (Jakarta, 1988), Mencari Identitas Nasional (Jakarta, 1990), Times Comparative Dictionary of Malay-Indonesian Synonyms (Singapore, 1991), Golkar dan Militer (Jakarta, 1992), Sastra Peranakan Tionghoa di Indonesia (Jakarta, 1996), Politik Luar Negri Indonesia di Bawah Soeharto (Jakarta, 1998), Etnik Tionghoa dan Pembangunan Bangsa (Jakarta, 1999), Negara dan Etnis Tionghoa: Kasus Indonesia (Jakarta, 2002) and Pemikiran Politik Minoritas Tinghoa di Indonesia (2005).