The Japanese Language and Culture Program (BKJ), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Concepts and Scope of Japanese Language and History” on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, from 08:00 to 12:00 WIB, at Soegondo Building, 7th Floor, Room 709. The event featured two speakers: Dr. Mulyadi, M.A., a lecturer in Japanese linguistics at BKJ UGM and an alumnus of Chiba University, and Meta Sekar Pujiastuti, M.A., Ph.D., a Japanese Literature lecturer at Hasanuddin University and an alumna of Ohio University and Keio University. With strong academic and research backgrounds, both speakers delivered presentations that enriched students’ understanding of Japanese language studies and historical perspectives.

The first session was delivered by Dr. Mulyadi through a research presentation titled “Politeness Strategies in Persuasive Discourse on Japanese Home Shopping TV Broadcasts: QVC Japan for Fashion Products.” He opened the session with an analogy drawn from Indonesian traditional markets to highlight the importance of linguistic comfort in communication. The discussion then focused on QVC Japan, a home shopping channel used as the main object of analysis. Using data collected from QVC broadcasts available on YouTube, he demonstrated how linguistic strategies—such as pragmatic particles (ne, yo), keigo (honorific speech), indirect invitations, and expressive intonation—are employed to create persuasive discourse while maintaining politeness. The presentation showed that marketing communication in Japan emphasizes social harmony (wa) without reducing the effectiveness of its message.

The second session was delivered by Meta Sekar Pujiastuti through a talk titled “Revisiting the History of Indonesia–Japan Relations: Nusantara Identity in a Global Context.” Her discussion highlighted that Indonesia–Japan relations extend far beyond the 1942–1945 period. She presented historical findings that trace long-standing interactions between the two regions, including the appearance of batik motifs in seventeenth-century ukiyo-e artifacts, VOC activities in Dejima, and records of slavery involving people from Bugis and Batavia. She also shared visual materials and archaeological evidence related to the lives of Nusantara groups in Dejima, including culinary activities and cultural markers such as lurik fabric and udeng headwear. These examples underscored the strong contributions of Nusantara culture within the historical trajectory of Japan, although such contributions often remain overlooked in dominant historical narratives.

Overall, the public lecture offered a comprehensive view of the relationship between language and history as an essential foundation for understanding Japan. The insights gained from the sessions are expected to strengthen students’ analytical skills and encourage a more meaningful and high-quality learning process within the Japanese Language and Culture Program at UGM.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid

Yogyakarta, 19 December 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada held the K-Speech UGM 2025 Oratory Competition as a Final Semester Project for the Speaking and Listening III course, taught by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A. The event took place from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. WIB at Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, 3rd Floor, and was attended by the President of the K-Speech Eloquence Association of Indonesia, Mr. Woo Yong Taek.

A total of 22 teams, each consisting of two to three students, along with one individual participant, took part in the competition. The oratory topics were grouped into three main themes: bullying in universities, world peace, and cultural exchange between Korea and Indonesia.

Prior to the competition, students participated in one oratory technique class and two consultation sessions with the course instructor. Unlike conventional speeches, oratory requires a strong voice and clear articulation. Beyond technical skills, the purpose of oratory is not merely to convey a narrative, but to encourage audiences to reflect on surrounding social issues and to propose meaningful solutions.

Following the performances of all 23 participants, Mr. Woo Yong Taek expressed his appreciation for the students. He praised their Korean pronunciation, noting that it closely resembled that of native Korean orators. He also selected four best teams and awarded each team a scholarship of IDR 2,500,000. The selected teams were:

• Ardhanika Brahmadhinata, Nasywa Amelia, Theresia Chindyawati
• Allysa Fadhia Pramudita, Brigitta Angela Limanto, Paula Maureen Christella
• Irene Xaviera Lovryna, Vivian Valerie Boru Tambunan, Rosalia Pramoda Wardhani
• Alfinda Fidela Daniswara Azarine, Febriana Valentia Andhiera Putri, Jovita Oryza Ananda Naita

The course instructor, Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., expressed her hope that the competition and the presence of the K-Speech Eloquence Association of Indonesia would serve as a source of motivation for UGM students to continue developing their communication skills, social awareness, and readiness to participate in the annual K-Speech competition in the coming year.

Written : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited : Eunike Serafia N.S