Why are Indonesian authors choosing English for their literary works?

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Indonesian Authors Opt for English Due to Comfort, Exposure, and Evolving Literary Definitions

A growing number of Indonesian authors are choosing to write their literary works in English, driven by personal comfort with the language, extensive daily exposure to English in urban Indonesian life, and a broadening perspective on what constitutes Indonesian literature. This trend reflects the influence of international upbringing, global media consumption, and a desire to prioritize content and experience over linguistic nationalistic constraints.
Personal Comfort and Upbringing Influence Language Choice

For many Indonesian authors, English is the language that offers the greatest comfort and expressiveness for their creative output. Rain Chudori, for example, explicitly states that English is the language she finds most comfortable for writing, a sentiment stemming from her upbringing in international schools and her experiences living abroad. This background, which she describes as that of a "third-culture kid," means she dreams and thinks in both English and Indonesian, leading her to question why she should not "code-switch" in her writing. This personal linguistic fluidity extends to others like Laksmi Pamuntjak, who also writes in English among other languages, and Alanda Kariza, who released a romance novel in English, indicating a deliberate choice to use English for specific literary projects.
Daily Exposure and Urban Realities Shape Literary Expression

The prevalence of English in the daily lives of many Indonesians, particularly in urban centers, is a significant factor influencing this linguistic choice. Gratiagusti Chananya “Anya” Rompas observes that Indonesians are constantly exposed to English through popular culture such as songs, films, and news. She writes in English to reflect and capture this lived experience. Anya's personal essays, published in English, are part of a broader series where other writers also opt for English, highlighting a contemporary literary movement that acknowledges and integrates this linguistic reality. This exposure is not limited to passive consumption; it actively shapes the way many Indonesians perceive and interact with the world.
Redefining Indonesian Literature Beyond Linguistic Boundaries

There is a discernible shift in how Indonesian literature is being defined, with a growing argument that works written in English by Indonesian authors should be considered part of the national literary landscape. Dwiputri Pertiwi, who has published poetry collections in English, firmly believes her works belong to Indonesian literature, asserting that language is merely a tool and that content, which often borrows from or portrays the everyday truths of the country, should take precedence. Norman Erikson Pasaribu further challenges the notion that Indonesian literature must exclusively be in Indonesian, suggesting that such insistence reflects a colonial mindset. He advocates for a broader, "sideways" consideration of literary belonging, focusing on the author's experience and emotional attachment rather than rigid geographical or linguistic boundaries. This perspective is echoed by Landung Simatupang, who believes individuals should be free to write in any language they are familiar with, even translating his own poems into English and directing plays written and performed in English by university students.

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Why are Indonesian authors choosing English for their literary works?

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