“Iye” and “Iyo” Word in Buginese (Bugis) Culture

It is believed that it is impolite in Buginese (Bugis) culture if we are speaking or answering what the elder asked by replying them with the word ‘iyo’. In another side, for Torajanese people the word ‘iyo’ is a polite expression in answering or replying others questions or request. If a Buginese girl or a boy has and applies this expression in their daily life. It is considered that she or he already has very well-mannered and full of good manners because that is one of the life principle in Buginese culture There are many kinds of expression cling in Buginese vernacular but, in this post I will only focus on ‘iye’ and ‘iyo’ in Buginese-Makassarese and its relation with Torajanese expression ‘iyo’ that are often used in everyday life of Buginese people. Here it is the explanation. ‘Iye’ is ‘yes’ in English. Using the word ‘iye’ is believed to be polite for the Bugis, especially in speaking to people who are older or people who are in that respect, moreover considered to be elder in the family or the surrounding. But on the contrary, replied with the word ‘iyo’ is considered very disrespectful and insolent. Besides, we have to know that the word ‘iyo’ in Torajanese language is considered as a polite and respectful answer. ‘Iye’ can also be an answer if anyone ask whether the listener has done the task. Here, it means he did or yes. The body language following the ‘iye’ expression is by bowing head a little (just a little, like a nod of the head). Spoken once in a time, until two or three times still pretty decent, "Iye, Iye Iye ...". But when the speaker says the word ‘Iye more than three times, it can cause offense or could have been seen as brash, in the vernacular of Makassarese/ Makassar local language, it is considered as impolite expression if mentioned in three times, moreover with some facial expressions. In this modern era, the Buginese and Makassarese teenagers, particularly who live in the city, sometimes split or forget about the difference of this two words in their daily life. They just express it, and spontaneously by expressing either ‘iye’ or ‘iyo’, they will answer others questions or request. But they cannot be blame because if we live in big city such as Makassar, as the capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, there will be multicultural language and culture and automatically, all tribes around South Sulawesi will be there. Thus, the solution is the teenagers have to be sensitive and pay attention to whom they speak. They have to know about the reaction and meaning behind these two words will be different if they say it to either Buginese, Makassarese or to Torajanese. So, all tribes can live in peacefull and care one another as the principal of Buginese people Siri na Pacce (will be discussed in the next post). It is needed to know that in Buginese culture, their doors will always be open to anyone, moreover to the ones who come with good intentions. We can learn from examples happened around us. There may be some other friends of friends who can provide comments or feedback about polite words in Bugis language. For those who want to ask will we respond with pleasure.

Posted by miasastra

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