Language Policy in the Dutch Colony : On Sundanese in the Dutch East Indies

Abstract

The Sundanese people did not possess a single strong cultural and spiritual centre, as did the Javanese, in Jogjakarta and Solo. Traditional Sundanese society had kabupaten (the seat of local chief) as an administrative and cultural centre in every district. These centres, however, had never had strong influence over the whole of the Sundanese area : each authoritative power only covered a single district. This polycentrism provided a ready-made ground for a divide and rule policy for the colonizer. The foreign authority played a significant role which could integrate the whole Sundanese region : the colonial policy was quite successful. What the Dutch wanted was implemented without hostility or difficulties. Viewed from the perspective of the Colonial Government since the VOC period, the Priangan was of great importance for economic reasons, especially with regard to coffee cultivation. Education for the people was of great significance in helping to keep the colonial administration moving, because the Government needed lower officials to intermediate between their own officials and the native Sundanese. Thanks to the great efforts of K.F. Holle, and the afore-mentioned local conditions, the Colonial Government succeeded in imposing its language policy in the Sundanese area easily.