The word "former" followed by a clear time period in the position is highly discouraged. Excessive, aka excessive.
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By
PRISKILIA B SITOMPUL
·4 minutes read
CAHYO HERYUNANTO
Don't use the word former in positions that have detailed and clear time descriptions.
The former, again, is interesting to study. In the Language Review rubric, several times the use of the word ex in sentences is discussed. In previous articles, the discussion of the word ex was discussed in terms of meaning. However, this time what is being examined is the use of the word former in position.
What is lewah? According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), lewah means 'excessive (about the word); wasteful'. The use of extravagant words in sentences can occur because the language user does not understand the meaning of the words chosen, or because of the habit of exaggerating in conveying an idea, thought or opinion.
1. Former Minister of Communication and Information period 2014-2019 Rudiantara officially served as Commissioner Main DANA.
2. Sofyan Djalil, former Minister of State for BUMN in the United Indonesia Cabinet, also recalled his time together with senior economist Rizal Ramli.
3. The behavior of residents caught dumping garbage into the river went viral on social media after being uploaded by Ridwan Kamil, former Governor of West Java 2018-2023.
SATRIO NUSANTORO
Rudiantara, former Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo), officially becomes DANA's President Commissioner. The word former is necessary because Rudiantara's position as Minister of Communication and Information does not include a time period.
Former, according to the definition in the KBBI, is 'former (position holder, position, etc.)'. Apart from ex, a word that has the same meaning as ex is ex.
Therefore, if we examine sentence 1, the message that can be interpreted is "Rudiantara was a former minister from 2014-2019". That is not accurate because Rudiantara was not a "former minister" during that time period, but rather a "minister" during that period.
Similarly, in sentence 2, Sofyan Djalil is referred to as the "former minister" in the Unity Indonesia Cabinet. However, Sofyan Djalil was clearly a minister in that cabinet, not a former or ex.
As for sentence 3, it states, "Ridwan Kamil was a former governor in 2018-2023". This information is also incorrect because Ridwan Kamil was actually the governor of West Java at that time. With the word former, the position becomes ambiguous.
KOMPAS/KURNIA YUNITA RAHAYU
Governor of West Java for the 2018-2023 period Ridwan Kamil while attending the inauguration of the West Java Prabowo-Gibran Regional Campaign Team in Bandung City, Saturday (25/11/2023). The word former does not need to be written if the time period of Ridwan Kamil's position is clear.
The error occurs because language users continue to embed the word former in front of positions that already have clear information about the period/term of office. The messenger wanted to emphasize that the person was no longer in office at that time. It's as if without the word ex, the message the user wants to express will not be conveyed. In fact, the addition of former actually creates confusion in that position.
From the examples of errors in using the word ex above, it can be concluded that the word ex in front of a position followed by clear information or description of the period/tenure of office is not needed. The presence of an former in a position with detailed time information actually creates confusion about that position.
Thus, the correction in sentence 1 is "Minister of Communication and Information for the 2014-2019 period Rudiantara officially serves as President Commissioner of DANA". The word former was omitted because there is detailed information attached to that position, namely 2014-2019 period.
The word former in front of a position followed by information or a clear description of the period/term of office is not required.
If there is no information regarding the time/period following the position, the sentence must retain the words former: "Former Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara officially serves as President Commissioner of DANA".
In the second sentence, the correction is as follows: "Sofyan Djalil, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises in the United Indonesia Cabinet, also recalled his time together with senior economist Rizal Ramli."
However, if there is no more detailed information attached to the position - in this case the United Indonesia Cabinet - the word former must be retained: "Sofyan Djalil, former Minister of State for BUMN, also reminisces about his time together with economists senior Rizal Ramli”.
KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Sofyan Djalil during a visit to the Editorial Board of Kompas, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/9/2019). The former Minister of BUMN for the 2007-2009 period explained the Defense Bill which was being discussed in the DPR. The word former which is followed by Minister of BUMN for the 2007-2009 period is not necessary because the time period has been clearly stated.
As for sentence 3, the correction is as follows: "The act of residents being recorded throwing garbage into the river went viral on social media after being uploaded by Ridwan Kamil, the Governor of West Java 2018-2023."
If you still want to keep the word ex, the sentence becomes: "The actions of residents who were recorded throwing rubbish into the river went viral on social media after being uploaded by Ridwan Kamil, former Governor of West Java."
So, don't overuse the word former in positions that have detailed and clear information or time information. Don't let the presence of your ex become a "lebay" aka weak.
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