ITB Student Wins Second Place as Languange Ambassador of West Java
By Luh Komang Wijayanti Kusumastuti
Editor Luh Komang Wijayanti Kusumastuti
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - "Language represents the nation: the growing of a language, the greater a nation," is one of the excerpts of the interview Roby Purnawan (Urban and Regional Planning, 2011) related to the award second place in Language Ambassador Selection of West Java 2014 he obtained some time ago. Roby has long been interested in the social and language, the gain of the runner-up Language Ambassador of the West Java is proud not only for Roby, but also for the ITB. Together with Sara Shafira who is a student of the Faculty of Medicine, Bandung Islamic University, Roby took home the second place trophy, Languange Ambassador of West Java.
In such event, Roby also pass through various preliminary stages before reaching the final stage. The election was held up by four stages: the collection of essays, Indonesian Languange Proficiency Test (UKBI), essay writing in three languages, namely the local language, Indonesian, and foreign languages, and the last is the stage of the jury panel. Although coincided with a flurry of academic lectures, Roby said he was happy to join this competition. "That way, I had the opportunity to meet many people who have the same concern about the preservation of this language," Roby said.
Indonesian and now Regional
When asked about the motivation to follow this event, Roby admitted that in addition to an interest in the field of linguistics or language and communication, concern over the development of Indonesian and local languages is also a motivation. Indonesia has many local languages, but in stark contrast to its potential, there are many regional languages are extinct. For example, there are several regional languages in Maluku and Papua, now threatened with extinction due to lack of speakers and the lack of attention to the preservation of the local language. Being a part of the awareness to the community about the importance of local language behind Roby in following this event.
Asked about the current Indonesian, Roby admitted that the use of Indonesian society is still ambiguous and still be affected by other foreign languages eg English. "Unfortunately, not many are aware that the language is the identity, slang and vocabulary in a foreign language is more often used especially in everyday use. Not that we should use the language in accordance with the rigid spelling is fine, but at least we have to know when and how to use our own language, "says Roby.
Do not stop with the selection of the Ambassador West Java language, a variety of activities related to the hobby besides language Roby also follow, such as the Code for London; a social program of alumni Youth Exchange and Study (YES), which is funded by the US Department of State that offers technology-based solutions to solve the problems of Bandung, Anthony and Partners Learning House, Bina Budaya AFS Chapter Bandung, Indonesian news training and other activities. Roby's interest in languages led to a variety of event and competition that can be taken from each experience. One of the most interesting is the Ambassador Selection of West Java language. "Various interesting experience I get, the more I get to know the culture and property owned Indonesian nation," said Roby.
Students who aspire to be a community planner admitted that the support of parents is one source of motivation. "He advised that life is to be useful to other people," Roby said. "Hopefully, the ITB is not always synonymous with the term 'ivory tower' which college students are too engrossed in their own and do not try clicking explore and benefit the community at large. In addition, by following this event as well as train soft skills and communication-skills that will be indispensable in the world of work. Indirectly it things we do for the name of our alma mater, "said Roby closing interview.
Source: Personal Documentation (Zaqi Firman)
