The Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an Expert Lecture on the theme “Language Politics” on Monday, 7 September 2026. Held at the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, the event provided an academic forum for exploring the relationship between language and social, political, and regional dynamics, particularly in Southeast Asia.

The Expert Lecture featured two speakers who offered complementary perspectives. Jerôme Samuel from the Institut National des Langues Orientales, France, delivered a presentation entitled “Language Politics in Southeast Asian Countries.” His presentation explored the dynamics of language policy and politics across Southeast Asian countries, as well as the strategic position of language in social life and regional relations.

The second speaker, Dr. Merry Andriani, S.S., M.L.C.S. from Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented “The Politics of Indonesian as a Working Language in ASEAN.” Her presentation provided insights into the position and role of Indonesian in the regional context, particularly in relation to the development of ASEAN and the potential of Indonesian as a language for communication and cooperation within the region.

The discussion was moderated by Dhisna Luklu’ul Fauzan, S.S., a student of the Master’s Program in Linguistics. The interaction between the speakers and participants was an important part of the event, providing opportunities to further explore language politics from diverse perspectives.

Through this Expert Lecture, the Master’s Program in Linguistics, FIB UGM, continues to provide an academic space that encourages students and participants to understand language not only as a means of communication, but also as an integral part of social, political, identity, and regional dynamics.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics, FIB UGM, extends its appreciation to the speakers, moderator, and all participants for their contributions to the event. It is hoped that the Expert Lecture on “Language Politics” will broaden perspectives and encourage further discussion and research on language politics in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Author: Magister of Linguistics Program

On September 3, 2026, Prof. Tania Li from the National University of Singapore shared her insights on the writing process during a public lecture hosted by the Department of Anthropology, UGM, titled “Figuring Out Master Narrative in Writing Project” at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM. The 120-minute session invited participants to reflect on their writing methods while evaluating common obstacles that arise during the writing process. The session opened with an interactive exercise where participants were asked to share their ongoing writing projects with the person sitting next to them. Any confusion experienced during this exercise served as an early indicator that the intended narrative had not yet been clearly formulated.

Prof. Tania explained that a successful writing project is always built upon a clear master narrative or key message, though discovering this message is often a challenge in itself. A strong narrative typically holds a puzzle at its core, captivating readers with the promise of uncovering something unexpected or unresolved. In this context, theory plays a vital role in identifying this puzzle and connecting the work to broader literature without losing focus on the specific research context. Furthermore, effective storytelling brings arguments to life and keeps readers engaged. Ultimately, understanding and visualizing the target audience is a key final step in crafting a coherent and compelling narrative.

Author: Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha

An atmosphere of emotion and warmth filled the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) on Friday, September 11, 2026. More than 200 people—comprising FIB UGM lecturers, conference guests, and undergraduate and master’s students of the Linguistics and Indonesian Language programs—gathered to attend the valedictory speech of Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A.

This moment marked the final official day of teaching at FIB UGM for Prof. Putu. Born on August 16, 1956, and widely recognized as a leading expert in Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, and Sociolinguistics, he has served as an educator since February 1983. For 43 years, he dedicated himself to educating generations of students at the faculty.

Beyond a farewell ceremony, the valedictory event was highlighted by the launch of his three latest books: Renik-Renik Linguistik, Linguistik Forensik, and Kumpulan Humor Prof. Putu, the latter being a special tribute from colleagues and students.

Having authored more than 10 books, Prof. Putu used his final stage to convey a meaningful message regarding the importance of writing. For him, writing is the best way to express what is on one’s mind.

“Write, because that is how you become immortal,” Prof. Putu stated, a line he repeatedly emphasized to the audience.

Although the event carried a sad undertone due to the farewell, Prof. Putu’s humorous nature helped lighten the atmosphere. The witty jokes he shared throughout his speech transformed the emotional mood into warm laughter. The event became even more memorable with the screening of a tribute video dedicated to him by fellow lecturers and students.

Before concluding his speech, Prof. Putu closed the farewell with an Arabic proverb to inspire everyone present: “Man jadda wa jada”—whoever strives earnestly will succeed.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

YOGYAKARTA – Learning a foreign language does not always have to begin with textbooks and classrooms. This was the experience of Shang Narendra, a 2022 student of Arabic Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), who became the university’s sole representative in the 2026 Mandarin Summer Camp Short Term Study Program in Taiwan. The program, subsidized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, was held at Da Yeh University (大葉大學) in Changhua, Taiwan, from July 22 to August 4, 2026.

Organized through the Official Taiwan Education Center Indonesia in collaboration with universities in Taiwan, the program brought together international students to learn Mandarin while gaining firsthand exposure to Taiwanese culture. For Shang Narendra, who is often called Adam, the opportunity stemmed from his desire to learn a foreign language directly in an environment where it is spoken. As an Arabic Literature student, he is accustomed to viewing language not only through its structure and vocabulary but also through the culture, society, and context in which it is used.

During the program, participants attended Mandarin classes in the morning and took part in various cultural activities in the afternoon. Upon arriving at Da Yeh University, participants first took the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) to assess their Mandarin proficiency and determine their class placement. Classroom learning was complemented by hands-on activities, including cooking, handicrafts, aromatherapy, fabric painting, traditional Chinese calligraphy, and making a Taiwanese-style mosquito repellent spray.

The cross-cultural experience also extended into everyday life in the dormitory. Participants from different universities and countries lived together, creating opportunities to communicate in various languages, particularly English and Mandarin. Adam occasionally used Google Translate when language barriers interrupted conversations. He also interacted directly with local residents while purchasing daily necessities. Through these experiences, he learned that the courage to communicate and the ability to adapt can be just as important as mastering grammar.

One of Adam’s most memorable experiences was the final project, which involved a role-play performed with a group of six students from different backgrounds. Within a relatively short period, Adam and his group members had to use Mandarin to discuss ideas, divide tasks, and prepare their performance. The program also took participants to Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, giving them an opportunity to explore another side of Taiwan beyond the university campus.

For Adam, learning Mandarin in Taiwan also broadened his perspective as an Arabic Literature student. He came to see more clearly that language learning cannot be separated from the culture and society of its speakers. The experience also strengthened his listening and speaking skills, contextual understanding, and ability to adapt to a new environment. Learning another language gave him a new perspective on understanding Arabic more broadly, beyond the theories he studies in the classroom.

The summer course also provided Adam with an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone. He found that students of Arabic Literature can explore other languages and cultures without leaving behind the field they are studying. By becoming familiar with more languages and societies, students can gain new perspectives on Arabic while preparing themselves to communicate and engage in increasingly multicultural environments.

Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida

The international workshop “Commodity, Plantation, and Colonialism in Indonesia: Current Research in Social, Economic, and Architectural History” will be held on July 23–24, 2026, at Pavillon 333, the Architecture Museum of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. This workshop is part of the exhibition series “Nge-Téh / Tea Time: Architectures of the Colonial Commodity Chain from Indonesia to Germany, 19th Century,” which runs from July 23–26, 2026. The workshop brings together scholars from various disciplines engaged in the study of commodity history, plantations, and colonialism. This event aims to foster dialogue encompassing architectural, social, economic, and cultural history from a historical perspective, spanning the early modern to the contemporary periods that shaped the tea commodity chain from Indonesia to Europe. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the workshop explores how colonial plantation systems not only shaped the physical landscape but also created social, economic, and cultural relationships whose influence is still felt today.

This workshop was held in conjunction with a visit by Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi, known as the “Historical Anthropologist.” He was invited to serve as the keynote speaker and spoke about plantations in Indonesia from 1870 to 2020. His contributions to the advancement of knowledge serve as a fine example for students. Through research rooted in the experiences of local communities, knowledge of Indonesia’s colonial history can be enriched and introduced to an international audience as part of efforts to foster a more inclusive understanding of global history.

In addition to the discussion sessions, a “Nge-Téh / Tea Time” exhibition was also held. The exhibition explored the history of tea as a colonial commodity, from the plantations in West Java, through the processing and distribution via Batavia and Hamburg, to its consumption by the public in Germany. A variety of historical archives, photographs, tea trade artifacts, ceramic artworks, and documentary films were displayed to illustrate Indonesia’s connection to global trade networks. The exhibition also underscored that although Indonesia was never a German colony, the tea trade linked the two regions within the global colonial economic system.

This workshop serves as an important forum for strengthening international collaboration in the fields of colonial history, anthropology, architecture, and Southeast Asian studies. The discussions that emerged not only shed light on the colonial past but also encouraged critical reflection on sustainability, historical justice, and the importance of incorporating local communities’ perspectives in understanding the history of global commodities.

Author: Dewi Widyastuti

Picture: Prof. Pujo Semedi