Indonesian Language Diplomacy after UNESCO Recognition: Symbolic Legitimacy and The Challenges of Soft Power
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/rir.v8i1.66507Keywords:
Language Diplomacy, Soft Power, Bahasa Indonesia, UNESCO, Social SemioticAbstract
The designation of Bahasa Indonesia as the 10th official language at the UNESCO General Conference through Resolution 42 C/28 in 2023 marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s diplomatic development. This recognition provides multilateral legitimacy for the use of Bahasa Indonesia in international forums while enhancing its visibility in diplomatic practice. This study aims to analyze the use of Bahasa Indonesia as an instrument in language diplomacy, as well as to identify the challenges and future directions of its development following UNESCO’s designation. Using a qualitative approach and a literature review method, the study finds that UNESCO’s recognition offers both procedural and symbolic legitimacy. However, this designation has not automatically strengthened the position of Bahasa Indonesia within the structure of global language diplomacy. Its utilization remains largely dominated by representational practices that tend to be fragmented, due to the absence of an integrated national framework for language diplomacy policy. Therefore, stronger institutional support and cross-sectoral coordination are required to enable Bahasa Indonesia to be more effectively mobilized as a source of soft power in international relations.
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