Exploring English Varieties Used by Indonesian Employees: A Linguistic Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34050/els-jish.v8i2.44313Keywords:
Linguistic Feature, Grammatical Errors, Pronunciation Errors, Vocabulary Usage, Indonesian EmployeesAbstract
This research explores the common linguistic features found in the spoken English of Indonesian employees in corporate settings, focusing on grammatical, pronunciation, and vocabulary aspects. The primary objective of this research is to identify and analyze the errors made by Indonesian employees when using English in professional contexts. The research utilizes qualitative methods, involving interviews with employees from various corporate sectors, analyzing their spoken English for common linguistic patterns. The research finds that significant grammatical errors include the omission of plural noun markers (-s/-es), incorrect usage of auxiliary verbs, and the overuse of "to be" in present sentences. Pronunciation errors, such as mispronouncing the ‘v’ sound as ‘f’, and the tendency to apply Indonesian pronunciation patterns, were also prevalent. Additionally, vocabulary usage showed signs of direct translation from Indonesian, resulting in inappropriate word choices. The findings highlight the influence of native language structures on English proficiency, particularly in formal communication. This research emphasizes the need for tailored language training to address these specific challenges, including focused grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary exercises. It is suggested that such interventions would improve the clarity and effectiveness of English communication among Indonesian employees in the corporate environment. Future researches may further explore sociolinguistic factors and evaluate the efficacy of proposed language improvement programs.
References
Berman, R., Smith, J., & Liao, H. (2022). Cross-linguistic influences in non-native English grammar: A study on plural marking and subject-verb agreement in ESL learners. Journal of Second Language Acquisition, 45(3), 112–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsl.2022.01.003
Dewi, A. (2024). Overuse of the copula verb “to be” in English by Indonesian learners. Journal of English as a Foreign Language, 38(2), 90–104. https://doi.org/10.1093/efl.2024.0137
Dewi, H. D. (2017). Translation and language errors in the Indonesian–English translation. Journal of World Languages, 4(3), 193–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/21698252.2018.1443732
Gunawan, D. (2023). Transfer errors in English grammar: A case study of Indonesian speakers. Indonesian Journal of Linguistics, 18(4), 215–230. https://doi.org/10.23920/ijol.2023.0045
Hudson, R. A. (1980). Sociolinguistics. Cambridge University Press.
Ikhwanur, A., Khabibah, I., & Saputra, V. W. (2021). Errors in English pronunciation made by students of Esa Unggul University. Proceedings of the International Conference on Language and Education, 1(1), 1–6.
Lestari, M. (2022). Direct translation errors in English: A study on Indonesian learners’ vocabulary usage. Journal of English Language Teaching, 15(3), 245–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelt.2022.07.004
Prihandoko, L. A., Tembang, Y., Marpaung, D. N., & Rahman, F. (2019, October). English language competence for tourism sector in supporting socio-economic development in Merauke: A Survey Study. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 343, No. 1, p. 012170). IOP Publishing.
Rahayu, S. (2023). Phonological interference in English pronunciation: The case of Indonesian speakers. Journal of Language and Linguistics, 18(2), 157–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jll.2023.03.004
Rahman, F. (2023). Politeness in language transfer: The case of Indonesian speakers of English. Linguistic Studies, 37(2), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.1109/ls.2023.0221
Rahman, F., Abbas, A., Hasyim, M., Rahman, F., Abbas, A., & Hasyim, M. (2019). Facebook group as media of learning writing in ESP context: A case study at Hasanuddin University. Asian EFL Journal Research Articles, 26(6.1), 153-167.
Said, M. M., Rita, F., Weda, S., & Rahman, F. (2021). English Language Performance Development Through Extracurricular Activities At Faculty Of Teacher Training And Education Tadulako University Palu. PalArch's Journal of Archaelogy of Egypt/Egyptology.
Sari, N. (2023). Language transfer and the use of vocabulary among Indonesian learners of English. International Journal of Linguistics, 19(1), 48–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijol.2023.02.001
Sayogie, F., & Adbaka, M. F. (2022). Interlingual errors in Indonesian EFL learners’ pronunciation: From minimal pairs to speaking ability. Elsya: Journal of English Language Studies, 4(2), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v4i2.9693
Setiawan, D. (2023). Substitution errors in the pronunciation of fricatives by Indonesian learners of English. Indonesian Journal of English Education, 29(4), 211–225. https://doi.org/10.1109/ijee.2023.0012
Shiddiq, S. M., Oktaviani, L., Herwiana, S., & Suryanovika, C. (2023). Lexical and grammatical errors analysis on Indonesian-English translation of EFL students in Indonesia. Journal of English Educators Society, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v8i1.1674
Susanto, H. (2024). The effect of first language interference on second language vocabulary usage: A focus on Indonesian learners of English. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 32(4), 215–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jal.2024.04.009
Wahyuningsih, S., & Untsa, F. Z. (2023). English as business lingua franca: Examining the use of English in Indonesian online business. ELT-Lectura: Studies and Perspectives in English Language Teaching, 10(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.21831/elt.v10i2.47657
Wardaugh, R. (2006). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics Fifth Edition. Blackwell Publishing.
Wijaya, R. (2022). Phonological transfer in English pronunciation errors of Indonesian learners. Journal of Second Language Phonology, 34(1), 42–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslp.2022.01.004
Wulandari, D. (2021). The influence of Indonesian phonology on English abbreviation pronunciation. Linguistic Research Journal, 27(3), 143–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ling.2021.10.005
Yaumi, M. T. A. H., Rahman, F., & Sahib, H. (2023). Exploring WhatsApp as Teaching and Learning Activities during Covid-19/New Normal era: A Semiotic Technology Analysis. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 6(12), 7627-7634.
Yusra, H., & Sembiring, A. (2023). Grammatical interference in English among Indonesian learners: An analysis of plural noun errors. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 29(1), 78–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijal.2023.01.010
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Waode Hanafiah, Nining Syafitri, Sanaria Maneba, Baharudin Adu

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.