Indonesians are known for their informal language or slang. Indonesian slang seems to have endless variations, ranging from abbreviated phrases to words read backwards.
But what exactly is Indonesian slang?
Indonesian slang is often used in everyday conversation. Indonesian slang (bahasa gaul, Betawi: basa gaul) is a term that encompasses various vernacular and non-standard styles of expression used throughout Indonesia that are not necessarily mutually intelligible. With the exception of formal speeches, Indonesian slang is the primary language that is used for oral communication in everyday life. It would be extremely unusual to communicate with people orally in formal Indonesian.
Indari Mastuti (2008:55) says that some Indonesian slang vocabulary has been transformed from formal Indonesian in several ways. One type of transformation is elimination. Elimination is the removal of one or a few letters from a word.
Example:
Sebentar – bentar; ntr
Habis – abis
Asyik – asik
It is also common to shorten two or more words into one, as well as removing one or a few letters. This is called contraction.
Example:
Hati-hati di jalan – titi dj (ati ati di jalan)
Terima kasih – makasih
Cari perhatian – caper
