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Language barriers in Jakarta?

Travel Info
I will be traveling to Indonesia soon and am wondering what I can expect as far as language / communication issues?

Travel Tips

English is widely understood in Jakarta, especially among the educated and the young. The economic gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" are quite wide, and since you're a travelling foreigner I presume that you will spend most of your time around the "haves"... most of whom speak fair to excellent English. People who work in reputable hotels, restaurants, shops, and companies are more than willing to assist you in English and should at least have a good command of basic English.

However, do keep in mind that English is not the native language of Indonesian people, so avoid regional slang and expressions that don't translate. Speak articulately and keep your sentences/ideas simple.

Once you get outside Jakarta it may be a different story. Most people outside Jakarta speak even Indonesian as a second language because they speak their native regional language at home. If you plan to go there, take an Indonesian with you.

Some basic Indonesian comes in handy , for example, in case you need to ask for directions on the street or get in a cab (only take taxis that say "BLUE BIRD GROUP" on the windshield... most Blue Bird drivers should understand English but not all can reply you in English). Get a good tourist language handbook once you land in Jakarta (drop your stuff at the hotel then go to the nearest Aksara or Kinokuniya bookshop...they're usually in a good mall so ask your hotel person/expatriate friend about this). You can also look up a bit about Bahasa Indonesia at www.wikipedia.org, probly not many words but it will help tremendously to know what the nature of the language is and how it affects Indonesian cultures.

Also, never hand things over or receive them with your left hand, this is considered very impolite (the left hand is traditionally saved for toilet chores). If you must use your left hand, apologise (e.g. "please excuse my left hand" "ma'af, tangan kiri"). Source(s): i'm indonesian
Other Travel Tips

English is a second language for people in Jakarta. Those who has been in the university should be able to speak some basic english conversation.
usually people speak their ethnic language at home or even outside sometimes but everyone knows how to speak Indonesian aka. Bahasa Indonesia, some people can speak English but don't expect they speak fluent english, probably for students, they can speak english better..
I am an Indonesian
if you go to tourists' destination such as Bali and Yogyakarta, most people you find on the street even the rickshaw driver, they understand English. some people speak and understand English quite good, some more would understand yet speak broken English.

Same if you go to Jakarta, Surabaya, Lombok, Balikpapan, Ujung Pandang, Aceh, you would find people who understand and speak a little English.

Officials sometimes don't even speak and understand English, you would be surprise finding them almost every where even at the airport, but need not to worry, lots of Indonesians even though they speak broken English, they usually understand English and willing to communicate in many ways :)

Have fun in Indonesia!
I'll put it this way, among the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China & Japan, Indonesia is ranked between Malaysia & Thailand in terms of English proficiency.

IMHO, don't worry too much even if your visit to Indonesia requires you to interact often with the locals.