A German colleague who took care of working agreement as I worked in a German organisation didn't want to hear me as I complained her translation in Indonesian. In the German version of the working agreement I was mentioned as Frau Sihombing, which is correct. But in the Indonesian version I was mentioned as Nyonya Sihombing (in English: Mrs Sihombing), which is completely wrong.
I complained because I am still single. Sihombing is my family name. I am also not a widow, who maybe still uses the family name of her husband or ex husband.
The German colleague only told me that it is already the fixed term. I was disappointed, because I am the Indonesian, the person who knows her language. I would have been happier if I would have been mentioned as Nona Sihombing (in English: Miss Sihombing) rather than Nyonya Sihombing (in English: Mrs Sihombing) on that agreement.
Like "Fraeulein" in German "nona" in Indonesian is also used only for little or young girls. For adult women we can say "ibu", which doesn't show the marital status. You can call an adult woman "ibu" without asking her marital status.
The term "Saudari" (Sdri.) which refers to young women can also replace the term "nyonya" (in English: Mrs). This supposed to be neutral. It doesn't show the marital status either. However this term is rarely used in oral language or daily conversation. It is used more often in written language. So, it is better to use the term "Saudari (Sdri.)" on that agreement.
You have read text 12.
Please read text 13: Translation Into Indonesian
Back to text 11: Ms Sihombing Is Not Fraeulein Sihombing
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