Book Review - MAKSUD LO? By Brandon Possin

KakaKiky -  Indonesia is known as the land of tourism and rich cultures. With more than 17,000 islands and immense cultural diversity, Indonesia offers travelers a unique experience. From beautiful beaches to breathtaking mountains, Indonesia has become  one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world.

Problems Foreigners Face in Indonesia

Foreigners in Indonesia often say it is challenging to connect with local people in  Indonesia because of the abundance of slang words used by locals  Unfortunately, foreigners often can  only learn formal Indonesian from books and guides.

Which is why  foreigners can breathe a little easier because they can now get a glimpse into the daily slangs used by Indonesians through Brandon Possin's book "Maksud Lo?".

Possin wisely points out that speaking the “stiff” Indonesian language is not enough to deftly communicate – and being stiff is a particularly fatal flaw in the agile, goofy, gregarious Indonesian culture.

Easy Solution to Understanding Indonesian Slang

Are you planning to visit or be in Indonesia but need help understanding the everyday slang spoken by locals? Or are you an Indonesian who wants to better connect with foreigners by breaking down the language barrier? "MAKSUD LO?" is the perfect book for you.

"MAKSUD LO?” deals specifically with Indonesian slang, which you will not find in most Indonesian language books or courses.

MAKSUD LO?: Publication Details

• Book title: Maksud Lo? A Guide to the "Real" Indonesian Language
• Author: Brandon Possin
• Pages: 78 Pages paperback
• Language: English
• Published: July 6th, 2020
• Publisher:  Gramedia Pustaka Utama
• Price at Gramedia: IDR 65,000 (PDF)
• Price at Amazon:  $19.95

Book Review - Maksud Lo?

As a native Indonesian, I absolutely love this book. I also feel proud because the richness of slang used in the daily lives of Indonesians was made into a book by Brandon Possin. Everything in this book is explained as it happens in real life. Indonesians do like to speak in slang and it would really feel strange if someone conversed in a more rigid Indonesian language to me.

1. Ideal resources to learn how to speak everyday Indonesian

Possin’s book Maksud Lo? is an ideal resource for anyone who wants to learn how to speak everyday Indonesian, whether they are tourists visiting the country or locals looking to connect better with foreigners. Through this book, readers can gain a deeper understanding of Indonesian slang and make lasting connections with the people of Indonesia.

2. The Book Won't Bore You

The English used in this book can also be understood easily, even by people who do not understand English, because the writing is quite simple and friendly. We can also call this book a dictionary of Indonesian slang because it contains a lot of slangs from various regions in Indonesia. These slang languages used in the daily lives of Indonesian people are used in non-formal and formal activities such as meetings, learning, and so on. You will be satisfied while reading this book, because Brandon Possin wrote it  based on his direct experience after having lived for four years in Indonesia.

3. Neatly structured so that it is easy to understand and learn

This book has a well-structured approach to its sub-chapters, starting with an introduction to why more than learning the formal Indonesian language alone is needed, the national benefits of greater familiarity with slang, and the true meaning of slang itself. It then continues with a discussion on a survival guide to formal Indonesian, a daily Indonesian-English dictionary, fun regional slang from various parts of Indonesia, and even includes casual language commonly used in messaging texts.

4. Suitable for most age groups

Whether you're a teenager, a young adult, or an adult, Maksud Lo? is a great book to add to your reading list. With its informative and engaging approach, the book caters to a wide range of audiences who want to learn how to speak the local tongue in a more casual and everyday way.

5. My favorite part of this book

As I have explained in the Book Review "Maksud Lo" above, this book is exciting to read. Besides being entertaining, it can also add insight into the slang used by Indonesian people. Although all parts of this book are interesting, my favorite part is the chapter "Daily Indonesian-English Dictionary," which starts on page 27.

In this chapter, you will find hundreds of slang words that Indonesians commonly use in their speech, ranging from familiar words, strange words and even words used for swearing.

Even though I am a native Indonesian who is used to using slang in my daily life, there are still slang words I don't know. Of course, this sounds quite funny when "bule (foreigners)" understand slang words that I don't know.

For example, saying the following words can spark a bout of laughter in Indonesia:

• "Celamitan": someone who is always interested in others' food
• "Lambreta": taking too long
• "Ngaplo":  Disappointed from not getting what you deserve
• "Nokip/nokib": To get drunk
• "Tuwir": Old

In addition to the chapters I mentioned above, I also liked the chapter "Slangy Text Messaging" which explains the various slang words that Indonesians often use when messaging via apps. Indonesians love to abbreviate their messages, and it saves a lot of time rather than writing in full text. In order to better understand each other in text messaging, this is a must-read chapter!

About The Author Of This Book

Who is Brandon Possin? Brandon Possin is the author of the book "Maksud Lo?". This book was born of the warmth he experienced during his four years in Indonesia, and to repay the kindness of the people he met there.

He has had many positive experiences in Indonesia, including meeting friendly people who showed him around West Sumatra, having cross-cultural discussions with Islamic schoolmasters, and meeting anti-corruption activists. Brandon also believes in combatting cultural isolation and willful ignorance to bring about a better world for all.

He speaks multiple languages and enjoys deep conversations, supporting anti-corruption activists, and teaching financial/crypto asset literacy. Additionally, he climbs volcanoes and listens to Indonesian music in his free time. Ten percent of proceeds from his book will go to the BASABaIi charity and the Orangutan Foundation International to support underprivileged children and the conservation of wild orangutans and their rainforest habitat in Kalimantan, respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Maksud Lo? is an ideal resource for anyone looking to learn how to speak everyday Indonesian. The book contains a lot of slang from various regions in Indonesia that is used in both formal and non-formal activities.

It is written in  simple English that is easy to understand, and its sub-chapters are neatly structured for easy learning. The book caters to a wide range of audiences, making it suitable for teenagers, young adults, and adults who want to connect better with the people of Indonesia.

Let's support the author by not buying pirated books, but by purchasing the original book directly through Gramedia or Amazon.