International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 51

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
Another misuse of gerund is also found in:
(26)

In every decision that you have decided, there’s always be consequences you should
face. Either it would fail or nah, it depends on how wiser you live in it. Just trying your
best, and God will gives his best too to everyone who can fight for it. Just trying your
best …

In sentence (26), ‘just trying your best’ is imperative and base form of the verb should be
used instead of gerund. I would argue the present progressive tense which is usually taught
in the early learning of English and has verb –ing in it has played a role in this kind of mistake.
The English users’ or speakers’ inability to use correct grammar (in the examples above)
may not indicate that they do not have English knowledge at all. Rather, the knowledge
which they gained while learning English at the early age (such as in primary school or early
stages) may have constructed particular patterns. The particular patterns have been used
repeatedly and applied in all contexts. It then created what we may call ‘broken English’.
However, these norms seem to be understood by the other Indonesians as such mistakes do
not interrupt the communication process.
Conclusion
The study shows frequent use of code-switching and English borrowing words among
Indonesian users of Facebook. In some cases, code-switching is used to make better the
meaning conveyed by the hearers. Some English words are more commonly used than the
Indonesian translation.
The study also illustrates that the use of English among Indonesians is influenced by
how colloquial Indonesian is used. The mistakes might reflect how some Indonesians
combine their native language skills and knowledge of English. The pragmatic context and
communicative norms of Indonesian also seem to play a role. Some ‘broken patterns’ of
English have started to emerge. Still, these patterns of English are understood quite well
among Indonesians and might have become ‘acceptable’.
We then may agree with the nature of English outside the Inner Circle countries as
described by Jenkins:
just because a language item differs from the way it is produced by Inner Circle
speakers, it cannot be assumed to be an error but maybe an example of contingent
creativity and adaption, or even of a language contact and change in progress. (2015:
pp. 41-42)
The mistakes found in this study may not necessarily show that the respondents are
incapable of using English. In fact, it might indicate a new variety of Englishes in Indonesia,
as the (Indonesian) speakers of English adapt their pragmatic contexts and communicative
norms and create particular patterns. As the sample of this study is limited, broader

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