In Reply to: how do you say.... posted by cheaki on Sunday, 11. September 2005 at 19:41 Bali Time:
Learn Indonesian in Seven Days -well, the basic words. You could use this to get the pronunciation of the key words you asked about. Click onto the second page of this site and you will see there are sound bites for the words.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/indonesian/percakapan/indonesia7days/indo7days_fs.htm
There are some excellent little books you can buy there if you get hooked on learning some basic language. I have sene bookshops at the airports, at ground floor beside supermarket checkouts at Matahari Kuta Square, Bintang supermarket in Seminyak, bookshop on Jln Raya Sura Ubud (Palace temple street).
Lonely Planet's 'Indonesian Phrasebook' (purple cover)is a good all-rounder and has some interesting cultural information snippets too, and a deceont sized translation dictionary at the back. Even more basic is the book Instand Indonesian: 'How to Express 1,000 Different Ideas With Just 100 Key Words and Phrases' (bright green cover) which I bought last year after all the others and wished I had bought it first as it is very basic and easy to follow, and gives clearer sense to me of things like tenses and sentence structure. My first book, the Berlitz 'Indonesian Phrasebook' and Dictionary, was useful in learning the pronunciation as it gives phonetic spelling as well, showing which syllables in individual words are given the most emphasis, and how some words are abbreviated in speech.
I find I use all three books for different words and expressions I am searching for, but have also added to my pile a similar little book from the Bintang Supermarket stationery section - an indo-english, english-indo dictionary - so I can look up more obscure words and meanings to slot into the basic vocab now I have got some confidence. It is easy to learn some basics, though the more I pick up each trip the more I realise I have only got the bare basics a child could probably pick up in a few weeks. I happily sail through hilarious conversations with me speaking broken Indonesian, and a group of children or street stall sellers contributing in broken English, big grins all round. New friends instantly made...and if you go back next year they will remember you!
Before you start any of the books, really look at the pronunciation guide. Practice the sounds aloud. There are some concepts you need in your head before you attempt any words - like that 'c' is pronounced 'ch' and that the letters k, p and t are not aspirated as they are in English; rather you try to prevent an expression of breath as you say them.
For example the word 'Tidak' which is a negative, you would not say 'tee-duck' You say it more like Teeduh with the faintest closing of your throat at the end of the word to almost say the k, shutting off the sound of that last consonant just as you start to say it.
To say 'Where is the toilet?' You ask 'Dimana kamar kecil?' (Literally, Where is the room small/little?) You say deMAHna karma k'CHEEL? so the 'k' is just the sound of the 'k' as in the work kiss, the 'e' is practically not there before the 'cheel' part of the word. The emphasis in the words is on the letters I have capped to indicate that (usually the second syllable in a two or three-syllable word is emphasised, but not always).
Once you have these pronunciation clues in your head it will make more sense as you learn new words.
Also, I have found that body language -and my skill at charades- clues have been very useful too when words fail me!
Good luck, and have fun!