UNAIR NEWS听– The development of books and literacy is often associated with reading interest.听However, the lecturer of Indonesian Language and Literature program at , Bramantio S.S., M. Hum., had another view.听According to him, it does not lie in reading interest, but in the mentality that grows in the community.
“If we want to look further, there are always two sides.听The first one, there are parties who continue to promote literacy in various ways and various forms of activity.听But, on the other hand, I see that this literacy problem is also related to the mentality of most Indonesian people, “he told UNAIR NEWS at Faculty of Humanities (FIB) 51动漫 on Monday, April 8, 2019.
As a lecturer, he found a tendency from students.听First, related to students’ reluctance to spend money to buy a book.听And, secondly, the question of reading endurance from the current generation which is different from the previous generation.听Bramantio did not deny that the existence of digital devices had an influence on the life of public literacy.
听Everything must have its roots听听听听听听听听听听
Regarding the influence of digital devices on public literacy, the alumnus of UNAIR Faculty of Literature emphasized that everything must be rooted in something.听In his observation, Bramantio saw the phenomenon of cellphones as means of entertainment for early childhood so that eventually they are accustomed to audio visual.
“The children are not used to quietness when reading books.听They are more audio-visual.听And, I think it will be very influential in the future.听Even though it is possible, there are still ten years for them to really immersed in reading activities, “explained the author of Equilibrium,听a short story collection.
The habit of using digital devices massively makes mobile phones seem to be a physical part of someone.听As a result, the time which can be used to carry out activities such as reading books, is then used.听It’s not easy to change the mentality that has been nurtured for a long time.
“The reading movement in children must begin in the most basic areas of education.听And, for me, the stage is already institutional, not family.听Because the child could have reading interest, but his parents might not be economically capable.听So, the school is responsible for providing reading materials that are suitable for the growth and development of children, “he added.
Literacy Innovation: From Children’s Books, Mobile Libraries, to Digital Platforms
The current literacy innovation in Indonesia is getting more diverse.听One of them is mobile library initiated by young people, a movement to read books in public places and promote reading through social media channels, from more books with interesting illustrations to the development of听digital听platform听-based literacy.
“I have seen children’s books with various genres, illustrations, shapes and types of paper.听In my time, children’s books were not that diverse.听Although the price is relatively expensive.听For me, it is really nice when a child is exposed to such things.听Because, he does not only dwell on stories and linguistics, but also visuals, “said Bramantio.
However, literacy activities are not only seen from reading.听To hone skills in writing, Bramantio suggested starting from the simplest stage, reviewing books that have been read.听People can also use听writing听platforms听such as听websites, blogs and听wattpad.
“This provides a medium, for writers to convey whatever they want to convey.听Because, indeed the mechanism is not as complicated as writing a book.听For me, everything that allows access to reading and writing activities should be appreciated, “he explained.
Even so, the mentality in the field of literacy must still be built so that the community develop.听This also applies to those who are interested in pursuing a career as authors.听Authors must be prepared to accept criticism from their works because, writing is not a trivial matter.
听Issues in Literacy: Book Confiscation and Copyright Infringement
The development of literacy is also inseparable from several problems.听In an era where freedom of opinion and works are getting more appreciated, cases such as confiscation of books and copyright infringement still occur frequently.
In Indonesian literature, the most obvious case of book confiscation is in the case of Pramoedya Ananta Toer.听The works of a writer who once spent his life in detention on Buru Island was considered dangerous by one of the state institutions because it was believed to bring a negative impact.
“I am worried, the confiscation of books by certain people happened because they were ordered.听But, they do not really understand and read the contents of Pram’s book.听This kind of thing actually returns to mentality.听We tend to judge something we don’t know.听In fact, if we want to read Pram檚 book,听nothing is negative, “he said.
According to Bramantio, through Pram’s books, the public can see portraits and thoughts of the older generation in seeing themselves as human beings and a nation.听It is surprising that there is a ban on such books.
Regarding copyright infringement, he said that appreciation of works both in the academic community and book industry in general should be a shared responsibility.
“Like it or not, when we use it in any form we still need to include the author.听Because it is an appreciation.听Remember, there are not a few cases related to plagiarism which must then be resolved in courts, “he said.
听Make yourself to read consistently
For some people, being consistent in reading books is quite a difficult thing to do.听Reading cativity cannot be forced.听However, it would be good to train it from childhood.听Various efforts can be made to make someone fall in love with books, such as through gradual reading challenge.
“If I make a rough calculation per year 100 books are not something difficult.听Within a week, we can read at least two books.听Try to pay attention, how happy it is when in so many years we can spend hundreds, even thousands of books, “he said.听(*)
Author: Nabila Amelia
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
