Centre for Language Development
The Centre for Language Development is initially concerned with the
development of Indonesian as both the national and the state language
of Indonesia in accordance with Article 36 of the Constitution of 1945.
The development of Indonesian is aimed at making it an efficient language
of administration, a medium of instruction in the school system, the means
of national communication and a symbol of national pride and identity.
It is likewise aimed at making it an efficient language for science and
technology.
The centre also deals with the development of national literature and
local languages and their literatures. Recording of, and research on,
national literature includes manuscripts and books written in the past in
Malay, the basis of the national language, Indonesian. The local languages
and their literature, both oral and written, are recorded, researched and
will be translated into Indonesian for publication. Part of the results of
such recording have been published. Language maps, general and specialized
dictionaries (including dictionaries of technical terms), handbooks
and scientific essays on language and literature are part of the centre’s
activities.
The centre also promotes and takes part in national co-operation with
Indonesian institutions of higher learning and other relevant bodies. It
conducts international co-operation programmes with the relevant institutions
in such countries as Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, the
Netherlands and France, as well as with international agencies such as
ASEAN, Unesco and others.
On the provincial level, the centre is supported by three offices of
linguistic research in Yogyakarta, Ujungpandang (South Sulawesi) and
Singaraj a (Bali).