Abdillah Dhiyaa Bramantyo, a 2017 Biology student from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), was named the second best finalist in the 2022 DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection event organized by the Language and Literature Development Center, Language Development and Fostering Agency, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikbud Ristek UI).

Language Ambassadors are figures of the younger generation of language and literature development partners who focus on prioritizing the Indonesian language, preserving regional languages, and mastering foreign languages with the aim of improving the function of the Indonesian language at the international level, as per the three main topics focused on in this event, namely language and literature literacy, internationalization of the Indonesian language, and protection of regional languages.

Abdillah expressed pride in his achievement at the FMIPA UI public relations team. He believes participating in such an event allows him to demonstrate his love for his homeland and play a greater role as a figurehead for the younger generation, promoting Indonesian as a primary language, preserving regional languages, and not neglecting his foreign language skills.

“This opportunity is a platform for me to actualize my love for the Indonesian language. I really want to be directly involved and am highly motivated to continue learning and making an impact,” Abdillah said enthusiastically.

The rigorous selection process involved 115 participants in Phase I. Participants were required to upload a video titled “If I Were a Language Ambassador” to their YouTube channel. The selection then resulted in 60 semifinalists who will then continue their journey as finalists for the 2022 Jakarta Province Language Ambassador competition.

Previously, Abdillah had gone through a series of selections, including the Adaptive Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI) and interviews with members of the Jakarta Language Ambassadors Association and staff from the Language Development and Fostering Agency. The selection process resulted in 30 finalists, who were eligible to develop linguistic and literary skills, deliver materials, and be assessed to represent them at the national level.

Interviews were conducted in groups of 5-6 people, where the questions asked covered linguistic and literary issues, as well as those related to the language ambassador program, such as KBBI, thesaurus, language maps, and lists of foreign equivalents.

After being named a finalist, Abdillah underwent a series of online briefings over two days. The briefing also invited various important figures, including Dr. Muh. Abdul Khak, M.Hum., Dr. Maryanto, M.Hum., and Riza Sukma, M.Hum. from the Language Development and Fostering Agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. Figures from private institutions were also invited, such as Abdy Azwar Sahi, M.I.Kom., CPR as a journalist for Metro TV and Katharina E. Sukamto, Ph.D. as a lecturer at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia Jakarta.

During the briefing, the selected finalists also participated in group language and literature activities, which are activities carried out by language ambassadors to foster positive public attitudes toward language and literature. Generally, the language and literature activities are themed according to priority programs targeted by the language agency and language center offices.

This year’s linguistic and literary activities carry the theme “Follow-up on Cooperation with Jakarta’s Old Town””. The determination of the theme was motivated by the signing of the Governor of DKI Jakarta on the establishment of the Old City area of Jakarta as a location or area for prioritizing the practice of the national language in public spaces.

The language and literature activities covered three sub-themes: literacy, language and literature protection and modernization, and enhancing the function of Indonesian in the public sphere. Abdillah and his group chose the theme of enhancing the function of Indonesian in the public sphere and specifically focused on fostering activities for MSMEs to prioritize Indonesian in the public sphere.

Abdillah, who is part of group 1, took the Batavia Kantine location as a melting pot for MSMEs fostered by the DKI Provincial Government, who were previously street vendors who had just been relocated.

“MSMEs are informal sector workers who need attention because our economy is also supported by them. Unfortunately, their use of Indonesian, both spoken and written, is still imperfect,” said Abdillah.

Abdillah and his group members recorded data on 14 MSMEs at Batavia Kantin and carried out three stages, namely audiences and assessments of the beneficiary’s situation, socialization and mentoring, and evaluation and appreciation.

“First, we held an audience with the management of the Jakarta Old Town development as the building owner and assessed the beneficiaries. Then, we conducted program outreach and provided assistance in improving menus, banners, and stickers. Finally, during the evaluation stage, we provided education (on Indonesian language, linguistic context, linguistic rules, such as the KBBI and DM law) by providing pre-test and post-test.” kata Abdillah.

The final day of the selection process for the best finalists took place offline at the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia. Several assessment components were selected, including the Linguistic and Literary Creativity Report, Public Speaking Techniques, Foreign Language Ability (Oral), Artistic and Cultural Talent, Personality/Psychology, and Attitude and Appearance.

Even though the selection process was quite strict and intensive, Abdillah’s strong motivation was the main driving force that led him to win.

The young man, who has a history of experience as one of the Top 16 West Java Student Language Ambassadors in 2017, believes that language issues in Indonesia are not issues that concern just one or two people, but rather issues for all levels of society.

“To this day, language issues remain highly relevant. For example, the recent news of Indonesian being proposed as the second official language in ASEAN met with resistance from Malaysia. From this case, we learn that a broader community effort is needed to conduct language diplomacy so that Indonesian can be recognized within ASEAN and become an international language,” he continued.

For your information, the Language Ambassador Selection Activity is carried out with the mission to continuously produce a young generation who is ready to translate and align the ideals of the youth of the Class of 1928 into real actions in accordance with the dynamics of the development of the times and is able to spark a role in strengthening the function of the Indonesian language to strengthen the identity and competitiveness of the nation.

This isn’t the first time the Language Ambassador selection has been held. The Language Development and Fostering Agency has held a national-level Language Ambassador selection every year. Prior to the national level, the organizing committee held provincial-level elections, which were conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s technical implementation units, namely the Language Center and the Language Office.

With the implementation guidelines for the 2022 DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador election, it is hoped that this activity can be carried out optimally in accordance with the activity’s objectives, namely increasing the role of the younger generation in Indonesia in strengthening the function of Indonesian, regional, and foreign languages ​​according to their respective areas of use in order to strengthen the character, dignity, and competitiveness of the nation.

The Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection activities were carried out in a combination of online and offline. The Language and Literature Krida for the 2022 Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection was held from July 18 to August 27, 2022. Furthermore, the briefing for the finalists of the Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection was held online on August 19 and 21, 2022. The assessment activities were held on August 20, 2022 (online) and August 25–27 (in-person) at the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia.

The selected Best I winner continues his journey to the National Language Ambassador Level, while the Best II and III winners are involved in the Language and Literature Krida for the Selection of the National Language Ambassador Level.