Indonesian Slang (9780804842075)

Master everyday Indonesian with this entertaining guide to slang, idioms, proverbs and colorful local expressions.

Cekidot, gan! — "Check it out, Boss!"

Kamu Dodol — "You're a coconut fudge!" (You're slow on the uptake.)

More than a phrasebook, Indonesian Slang explores the colorful informal language that reveals the humor, history and character of modern Indonesia. Covering slang, proverbs, quotations, acronyms, nicknames and regional expressions, it offers fascinating insights into Indonesian culture while helping readers understand how the language is really spoken.

Each expression is presented with its original wording, an English translation, an explanation of its meaning, and background on its origin or cultural context. Readers will also discover how Indonesian has evolved through influences from Malay, Javanese, Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and English, reflecting the rich cultural history of the Indonesian archipelago.

Organized by theme, including food, politics, personalities and everyday life, this engaging reference is an entertaining resource for language learners, travelers and anyone interested in Indonesian culture.


About the Author:
Christopher Torchia is the Turkey bureau chief for The Associated Press, based in Istanbul. He was previously posted with the AP in Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Colombia, as well as several U.S. cities. He is the co-author of How Koreans Talk.

Lely Djuhari is a communication specialist based in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to that, she reported on social and political issues in Indonesia, East Timor and on Indian Ocean tsunamis for Kyodo News and the AP.