A Reflective Essay by Emily Trisnandi, Intern at PT STAR Software Indonesia

In my last semester of college, I had the opportunity to join an internship program held by the English Department UGM and PT. STAR Software Indonesia. PT. STAR Software Indonesia is a company specialising in translation and localisation, fields in which I have long been interested. It was a transformative experience that enhanced my professional skills, especially since it was my first time being an intern at a company. Over three months, I was immersed in a complex yet magical world of translation, working alongside professional linguists and contributing to various projects. I have learned a bit about translation and localisation during several semesters in college, but how their system works in the industry was entirely new to me, and I was eager to understand its dynamics. In the first month of interning there, I was given materials related to translation and localisation, ranging from familiar ones to the most novel for me. The second until the third month of interning kept me the busiest ever; learning new things via working with project managers translating, and localising various projects. The types of texts I primarily work with are IT, finance, and marketing.

One of the initial challenges I faced was understanding the diverse array of projects that the company handled. The scope was vast, from translating technical documents and marketing materials to localising software and multimedia content. Each project had unique requirements and standards, which I needed to quickly grasp within three months. My project managers, who are senior translators proficient in their fields, played a crucial role in helping me adapt to these demands. Through hands-on training sessions, I learned the importance of context, cultural nuances, and maintaining the integrity of the original message in translation, especially English to Indonesian translation. A significant aspect of my internship involved mastering various translation tools and software. Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools became indispensable in my tasks. Before the internship, I only knew how to operate SDL Trados Studio; however, during the internship, I was introduced to a lot more CAT tools that were new to me, such as memoQ, Transit, Lokalise, Phrase, XTM, and Amazon Web Service. Initially, navigating these tools was tiresome. However, with consistent practice and guidance, I began to appreciate their efficiency and the precision they brought to translation work. In addition to CAT tools, I also used project management software, such as Microsoft Office. Understanding how to track project timelines, manage resources, and ensure quality control were crucial aspects of the localisation process. These technical skills not only enhanced my productivity but also gave me a deeper appreciation of the workflow and collaboration required in this industry.

One of the most profound lessons from my internship at PT. STAR Software Indonesia was the significance of cultural sensitivity in translation and localisation. Unlike straightforward translation, localisation involves adapting content to fit the cultural context of the target audience. This could mean altering idiomatic expressions, adjusting images, or even changing entire content sections to better resonate with local consumers. I recall a project where we were localising a marketing campaign for a global automotive brand. The original content was designed for a Western audience, but our task was to adapt it for the Indonesian market. This involved not only translating the text but also understanding the cultural values and preferences of Indonesian consumers. Through this project, I learned to navigate cultural differences and deliver authentic and engaging content to the target audience. Despite my academic background in English, I faced numerous instances where language barriers resulted in a challenge. Translating specialised terminology, such as legal or medical terms, required extensive research and expert consultation. There were moments of self-doubt where I questioned my language proficiency and ability to convey complex concepts accurately.

However, these challenges were significant in developing resilience and problem-solving skills. Collaborating with linguists and seeking their insights helped me overcome these barriers. Moreover, the company’s emphasis on speed and quality encouraged me to be more professional in prioritising responsibilities while maintaining the quality of my work. Balancing multiple projects with tight deadlines requ

ired careful planning and the ability to stay calm under pressure. By the end of my internship, I felt more confident handling specialised translations and appreciated the value of teamwork in overcoming linguistic challenges. Beyond my technical and linguistic skills, my internship at the translation and localisation company significantly contributed to my personal growth.

Furthermore, working in a team of different ages enhanced my interpersonal skills and cultural competence. Engaging with colleagues from diverse ages broadened my perspectives and fostered a greater appreciation for different work habits. The experience also honed my communication skills, as I learned to articulate my ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with team members. As I reflect on my internship experience, I realise how much it has shaped my career aspirations and personal development. The exposure to real-world projects and the mentorship I received were invaluable. The challenges I faced, and the skills I acquired have provided me with a solid foundation for a career in the translation and localisation industry. Moreover, the internship reinforced my passion for languages and cultural exchange. It highlighted the power of language as a bridge that connects people across borders and different cultures. Contributing to this global dialogue is very rewarding and has motivated me to continue pursuing opportunities in this field.

My internship at PT. STAR Software Indonesia was a journey of discovery, learning, and growth. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, adapt to new tools and processes, and develop a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. The experience has not only enhanced my linguistic skills but also developed personal growth and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of global communication. I take the knowledge and understanding I received from this internship with me as I improve in my work. I am grateful for the opportunity and the guidance that helped me through this internship. My passion for contributing to the translation and localisation fields has been strengthened by this experience, and I am eager to apply the knowledge and abilities I have gained to the industry.

SGDs 4: Quality Education| SGDs 5: Gender Equality| SGDs 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

On Monday (13/5/2024), the English Literature Program held an alumni talk with Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi had worked as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus since 2016. The year of 2020 was the year of retirement for Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi as an Indonesian ambassador.

The Career Talk was attended by all students of the UGM English Literature Program batch 2021, 2022, and 2023. The event was opened by the host Aimar Prabhaswara Dzakri, the President of the English Literature Department Student Association (IMAJI) 2023. The event continued with a warm welcome by the Head of the English Literature Program, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. 

This event aims to enhance students’ understanding of careers in politics and diplomacy. The importance of knowing contemporary issues regarding relations between countries is to create an educated society, strengthen universal solidarity, and be aware of the latest global news. In essence, individuals are part of a large group of people in the world. An individual has a role and contribution to the development and peace of the world.

Story after story was told by Pak Wahid to the students. The story starts from his career journey to the tips given by Pak Wahid to students who want to pursue their career path in diplomacy. He shared tips by saying to broaden the understanding of global issues through reading a lot of the latest news, both those happening in Indonesia and those happening in a worldwide scale. 

During the question and answer session, Pak Wahid said that not only students of international relations-related study programs have the opportunity to work in foreign institutions/ministries. He said that anyone can pursue a career as a diplomat, both men and women. He also advised the students to avidly read various books and make reading books a hobby. It is no secret that books can help improve critical thinking, one of the elements needed by students and it is essential in the professional world. 

The event ended with the awarding of a book written by Mr. Wahid to one of the student participants who actively asked questions during the activity. The title of the book is Diplomasi Ringan dan Lucu Kisah Nyata. After the awarding session, Pak Wahid and the students took selfies together and had a group photo session.

On Wednesday  (22/05), the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, organized a graduation ceremony at the Auditorium of Soegondo Building. A total of 52 students of whom 5 are students from the English Studies Programme were engaged in the graduation ceremony.

As they’ve passed another journey in their life, the English Studies Programme proudly congratulate the students above on their well-deserved success in finishing their studies and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

English Studies Programme’s Student

Waking up in a room with a view of yellowing and reddening trees would have been my wildest dream until a year ago. Every new thing that I have experienced from last year’s September until December is the result of sleepless nights and staring at my laptop for four months. IISMA truly gave me the chance to taste my childhood wish, and I could never be more grateful than I am today. As this is one of my biggest milestones, I cherish every second that I spend in Dublin, Ireland, and make sure to engrave all passing moments in my mind–probably in my phone’s gallery as well. I am Konan, and here is a glimpse of my life as an IISMA awardee in University College Dublin.

A brief introduction is a must before I start. Born by the name Qonita Risqi Setya Ananda, I am currently a third year student in the English Department of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Not a very fun fact, I can’t drive, so no wonder I enjoy my time in Dublin too much because of the pedestrian-friendly public facilities. During my four-month stay in Dublin, I am taking four courses under Arts and Humanities. Along with nine other students from different home universities, I began my study abroad journey on September 2 as we flew from Indonesia to Ireland. Now, here is the real thing, I promise you.

The academic year in Ireland starts in autumn, which takes place in September. Just like what we commonly have in universities in Indonesia, here they provide two weeks of various orientation events, such as welcoming ceremony, freshers week where you can sign up for clubs and societies, info sessions for various purposes, for instance the immigration session held for non-EU international students, and many more. In the following week, the classes start for level two or intermediate courses, while beginner courses have to wait for another week. Classes are divided into two types, lecture and tutorial or seminar, which is a new thing for me as we don’t have them back in my home major. Lecture is a big class dedicated to delivering materials, while the tutorial only consists of 15-20 students solely for group discussion and in-depth review on the materials from the lecture. 

Being an international student in UCD certainly has its own perks, and one of them being the eligible participants of the Cultural Programme. The said programme is dedicated for us to enjoy the most of our stay here by holding events and offering trips for free. We have gone to some stunning places in Ireland, such as Kilkenny with its castle and mediaeval town, surfing in Sligo, cycling on a 32-kilometre track in Westport, and enjoying the majestic Dún Aonghasa in Inishmore, Galway. I am really grateful for the opportunities given by UCD for such a short stay, and here I say it, it is all worth it!

Even though living abroad gets you really excited, you are lying if you say you don’t miss those little things from home. Of course I miss seblak, nasi Padang, and the convenient online transportation. I’d love to give an honourable mention to my friends from PPI Irlandia who kindly hold various Indonesian-themed events for Indonesian students in Ireland, which feels like bringing us back home. We got the precious chance to have a warm gathering with other IISMA awardees in Ireland and master’s and doctoral students on October 21, and even met the Ambassador of Indonesia for the United Kingdom, Dr. Desra Percaya. Fun fact, he is a remarkable saxophone player, and we were lucky to be able to watch his performance of Terima Kasih Cinta by Afgan on that sunny afternoon.

That particular gathering event was very memorable for me. The previous president of PPI Irlandia, Zain, shared a bit how Ireland feels merrier when the IISMA awardees are there. The number of Indonesian students in Ireland is significantly lower than in the United Kingdom, our nearest neighbour, and events like these almost feel like a family reunion. Compared to the students, there are more Indonesian diaspora than what I had imagined. They are also the people who continue to help us during our stay, and I’d really love to reciprocate the gesture someday, fingers crossed, when I get the opportunity to travel to Ireland again.

Aside from the fellow Indonesians we met here, I have always dreamt about having friends from across the globe who will actually keep in touch, not as a one-time thing only. Solely for this reason, I would like to thank my international friends that have introduced me to new celebrations that definitely made me feel so at home. One of these celebrations is Friendsgiving, that is celebrating Thanksgiving but with your friends instead. Jette, the event planner, suggested that we all bring a dish from our respective country to enjoy together, and that way, we actually exchange new culture in a fun way. Since the feeling is mutual, I didn’t hesitate to give them heartfelt souvenirs from home–one of them being a tote bag I designed myself–as a memento for the moment I have shared with them.

Ireland has been a place for me to try out many things for the first time for the last four months. My dream of walking along meadows, looking at sheep and cows like what I read in my childhood stories, strolling down the city, and taking a breather at city parks–all of them have been achieved here. Last but not least, the network and memories I have made here are priceless and could never be traded with anything in this world. Shall I have the chance to visit for a longer period of time here, I won’t hesitate to fly right away. Thank you to my support system back home–my family and friends–and my new family here, you are a part of my life now. Of course to the IISMA program, my deepest gratitude would never cease.

On Wednesday (28/2/2024), the English Literature Study Program held a retirement event for one of the English Literature lecturers, Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. The event was held at GRAMM HOTEL by Ambarrukmo, Yogyakarta, attended by all lecturers and retired lecturers of the English Literature Study Program. The event was opened by the host with great fanfare and continued with remarks from the Head of the English Literature Study Program, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. As for the warm welcome given by Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U., to the big family of English Literature UGM.

In the middle of the event, the occasion was filled with laughter and a sharing session to say a word or two about Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. At the end of the session, one of our lecturers, Achmad Munjid, M.A., Ph.D., led the prayer and all the lecturers, along with retired lecturers, were having lunch while a farewell video that all the lecturers and students said thank you for Prof. Ida’s dedication to the English Literature Program and Gadjah Mada University.

This event was held not only as a form of farewell between the active lecturers and lecturers who had finished their tenure but this moment was used to maintain the relationship among all of the lecturers.

This past Sunday, January 28th, 2024, was a bittersweet day for the English Studies Programme, as we gathered to bid farewell to a beloved member of our faculty, Bapak Dr. Tofan Dwi Harjanto, M.A., who is stepping on the well-earned journey of retirement. Over the span of more than 20 remarkable years, Pak Tofan has been the bedrock of our study programme, imparting his extensive knowledge in Semantics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, and Academic Writing. His prolific contributions have yielded more than 41 publications, each reflecting his unwavering dedication and profound knowledge.

It has been a privilege to have Bapak Tofan Dwi Harjanto walk the halls of our department. His unwavering commitment to education, and his mentorship have profoundly enriched us all. As Pak Tofan transitions into this new chapter of life, we take this moment to honour and celebrate the indelible mark he has left on our study programme.

Pak Tofan, we extend our deepest gratitude for the years of guidance, inspiration, and wisdom you have shared with us. May your retirement be as rewarding and fulfilling as your time here with us. You leave behind a legacy that will be cherished and upheld for many years to come.

The English Department hosted one public lecture and two seminars in November 2022. All of the events were held in a hybrid format. To attend the events, attendees would either go to the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building or Zoom meeting. The public lecture on November 1st, 2022, was titled What It Means to Be an Irish Writer. This public lecture was given by Irish novelist Audrey Magee.  The first seminar, titled International Students’ Seminar on Gender Equality, was held on November 8th, 2022. Four speakers from three different universities shared their perspectives on various subtopics. The second seminar was held on November 26th, 2022, titled International Students’ Seminar on Children Issues. This seminar was also delivered by four speakers from three different universities. The event committee was divided into four divisions. They all carried different roles in the events.

Those three events that are being held in the month of November had been prepared one month before. As the committee was divided into four divisions, ours was given the task of handling the belongings and the equipment for the event. Our responsibility spans from ensuring the conditions to making sure it’s usable before the day of the event, on the day of the event, and after it. In regard to it, we had to cooperate with multiple people in order to make the event successful and a smooth ride until the end of it. Since the events were being held offline and online simultaneously, we had to make sure both parties could enjoy it without any hindrances or limitations to their viewing experience. Such as a well-equipped camera to be able to record the view and the sound from the conference and share it with the online audiences so they could see the event without having to attend the lecture in person. English Department lecturers and our faculty members have been more than helpful in our preparation for the events. They have offered assistance and guidance throughout the process while also giving advice to make the event more enjoyable for the guests and attendees. Those experiences were proof that without teamwork and communication, we wouldn’t be able to make the event run smoothly.

The events were carried out well, and in terms of the equipment division, these events ran without uncontrollable constraints. During the event, the flexibility and coordination between the committee in the same or different divisions was very good. Perhaps the thing that needs to be underlined is that, for the next event, the committee can consider using proper equipment that can be used by the timekeeper as the reminder tools for the speakers.

We learned a lot about teamwork while hosting the events. Some errors happened during the events, but they all were handled through communication. From this, we all realized that communication is the key. Since there was no leader, we all played the same role in the division. Still, we can learn the dynamics in committees and coordination between students, student-lecturers, and student-faculty administration.

Written by:

• Fendryan Gabriel 19/446347/SA/20105
• Dini Fauzia 19/446343/SA/20101
• Firda Umiyatun Baroroh 19/440218/SA/19734

Our English Department major held a recruitment event for its students to join the committees of events for an internal Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. We joined the secretarial division, a division that carries out duties in the administration and file management. Beforehand, our secretarial team had to prepare several things that are related to administration. It was quite challenging at first because this was our first time taking responsibility for secretarial work. We created a registration form for those who expressed interest in participating in these occasions. Since all three events were organized in both offline and online meetings, a scheduled Zoom meeting link was arranged to facilitate the online attendees. After that, we prepared letters of invitation for them. We coordinated with the logistics department in order to handle any required facilities for the event. However, we were still learning throughout the process. Hence we occasionally asked for consultation or guidance from our supervised lecturers and fellow committee members in finishing our work.

A week before the day of the event, the secretarial division prepared the attendance list for the participants. To make it easier for the attendees to fill out the registration form, we provided a QR Code so that they were able to quickly scan the barcode before entering the venues and be instantly directed to the attendance form. Meanwhile, attendees for lecturers and board of faculty members were in the form of attendance sheets. While handling the administrative work, we also had the responsibility of making e-certificates for the speakers, participants, and committee members. We designed our e-certificates on a collaborative online design platform and received help from the public relations and documentation teams in finalizing them. 

On the day of the event, we distributed our tasks. One person stood by the front desk to welcome offline participants and lecturers and made sure all of them filled out the attendance list before entering the venue on the day of the event. Meanwhile, the other hosted a Zoom meeting. We were also helped by friends from other divisions in welcoming the participants to organize the crowds. After all, the events finished, we double-checked the participants who filled out registration links and attendance lists to determine whether they could receive the e-certificates.

Through these events, we gained valuable teamwork experience that has discovered each of our potentials and competencies. We learned the correct format for composing invitation letters and equipment permission requests. In order to issue these requests, we had to collaborate with other parties in our faculty. This was the most time-consuming duty since we had to go between buildings to verify that all letters and requests were accurate. Due to the fact that the majority of our mistakes were connected to accuracy, carefulness and precision are the essential factors that determine the success of established works. Lastly, this sequence of events has given us the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills relevant to the administration sector. Thank you so much for the fantastic learning method!

Written by:

• Katarina Elsa Savitri, A Student of English Studies Batch 2019
• Vina Annisa Rahmawati, A Student of English Studies 2019

A repost from an Obituary to Prof Stephanus Djawanai by Achmad Munjid, PhD

Our FIB UGM team had just finished presenting their study findings at the Jayakarta Military Command Headquarters when they received the unfortunate news. “Pak Steve has passed away,” stated Mbak Wening Udasmoro, the group’s leader and dean of the FIB. She informed her colleagues about the WhatsApp message she had just received. Prof. Stephanus Djawanai, MA, passed away yesterday afternoon, August 31, 2018, at 13.40 WIB. The cheerful man born in Bajawa, Flores, on October 10, 1943, had passed away at the age of 75.

We feel completely lost.

Prof. Stephan Djawanai is an eloquent and motivating lecturer. He will bring warmth and kindness to everyone inside and outside the classroom. His students and co-workers are Muslims, while he is a Catholic. However, religious differences do not divide us. He consistently has an exceptional ability to make students comprehend the stuff he delivers. He is adept at creating “teaching moments.” Occasionally, he uses humour to ensure that students comprehend the material and are excited to hear it. Intellectual illumination is always what makes the learning process interesting.

One morning in my first-year English Literature lecture at UGM, my classmates and I eagerly listened as Pak Steve presented a tale about a couple who were divorcing after a heated argument and whose case had to be taken before the court. When the judge inquired as to the primary cause of their argument, it turned out to be a simple matter: coffee. “Is it true that the explanation involves a cup of coffee?” the judge inquired once again. The spouses nodded their heads in agreement. The judge shook his head, astounded. “How does that make sense? Why do you two want to get a divorce over a cup of coffee? “questioned the Judge “That’s the thing, Your Majesty. I also was unable to comprehend it. My wife became so upset when I said, “Where’s my coffee?” The spouse responded. “Your Majesty, neither the coffee nor his comments to me are important,” the wife said aloud. Again, the Judge said, “So what’s the issue?” “His tone of voice, Your Majesty. His intonation! The tone of his words stripped me of all my human dignity and value!”

Well, from that story, Pak Steve gave us the point, don’t play and take intonation lightly. In pragmatics, intonation is very, very important. Intonation can make the message conveyed effectively. But on the other hand, it can lead to misunderstandings that have fatal consequences, as in the husband and wife’s case. that is how Pak Steve transferred the message of the story to his students. The way he teaches makes concepts that seem complicated to be simple, authentic, clear, relevant and exciting.

Another time, Pak Steve alternately looked at my face and the yellow attendance list card in his hand. In the past, each student was required to sign the yellow card for each meeting as proof of attendance. Above the student signature column is the lecturer’s signature column. In the middle of the semester, apparently, my signature on the yellow attendance card was less than half of Pak Steve’s signature; undeniable proof that I did not attend the class so many times. He wasn’t angry, but his face wasn’t as cheerful as it used to be. “You are in trouble, my friend. If you disappear again from the class, your grade will disappear forever,”  he said. The whole class laughed, but the message I got was completely different. I became more diligent in coming to class after that incident.

When I finished my undergraduate thesis under the guidance of the deceased Prof. Soebakdi Soemanto, Pak Steve became one of the examiners. I remember his question exactly, and that’s probably the only part I remember about my thesis exam to this day. “So where is the meaning of the text?” he asked. His eyes were sharp. His smile bloomed. His entire body movement was an attitude of trust and hope.

“According to structuralism, every text consists of interconnected elements to build a structure. The meaning is in the relation between the elements that make up that structure….” “Stop! Excellent!” he immediately cut off the sentence that I was still going to continue. “Enough, enough, enough. No need to continue! You are right to the point!”

With a Masters’s and PhD degree from one of the best campuses in the US, the University of Michigan, Pak Steve is an intellectual who has been familiar with “discourse analysis” and the thoughts of Derrida, Foucault, Roland Barthes etc., since the early 1980s when only a few people in UGM discussed the names and ideas of these French thinkers. Ten years later, people are exposed to the “posmo” epidemic and are familiar with their thinking. His passion for language and culture led him to become a professor at UGM in 2009 with a captivating speech entitled “Study of Language, Study of Humans”. As an academic who departed from the outskirts of Flores, one of the things that bothered him was the trend of the disappearance of local languages ​​in the midst of the swift global currents. He believes that the loss of a language means the extinction of a group of ideas because the loss of a language means the loss of the human way of knowing and accumulating knowledge, the loss of a distinctive way of expressing experience, reality, and life.  For him, The low variety of ethnolinguistics is a severe problem that has a fundamentally negative impact on humanity. On the other hand, a high variety of ethnolinguistics has excellent potential to contribute to solving human problems and maintaining human humanity.

After 40 years of serving as a lecturer at English Studies Programme, UGM, Prof. Stephanus Djawanai returned to his hometown and was appointed Chancellor of the University of Flores for the period 2012-2016 and 2016-2020. That’s how he took to “pay back” his hometown after spending more than half of his life overseas. However, last July, he was forced to resign from the position due to his prolonged illness for the past few years. Pak Steve also decided to return to Yogyakarta and passed away peacefully at his home in Minomartani after being hospitalized many times. Last Eid, when we visited his residence, he still seemed eager to talk and make jokes, even though his physical appearance seemed increasingly frail. He also spoke about death with a calm look, as if it was the signal. Yesterday, that moment came.

Goodbye, Pak Steve. May you rest in eternal peace. Your passing profoundly saddens us. But we are always proud and grateful to remember your services, kindness, and legacy as a teacher.

Thank you so much, though it will never be enough. Respect!

Yogyakarta, September 1, 2018

Translated by:

Najma Aulia Jauharnafisa

Faricha Adzkia Hamida

Edited and Proofread by:

Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.