"Since we are in this era where Information Technology (IT) is almost a must, we will spread Jawi education with the help of e-Government," the bureau acting director, Hjh Aminah Hj Momin told The Brunei Times.
"The use of the technology is an advantage for the next generation to learn about Jawi, one of Brunei's vital heritage," she said.
The Language Portal will provide fast and easy access for users who wishes to learn more about Malay language and Jawi's historical development in Brunei.
"We have put up signs, billboards and many activities to promote the reading of Malay and Jawi. By going online, it will provides us a bigger advantage in reaching a larger audience," she added.
The acting director further said that the introduction of the Language Portal for Jawi was in respond to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah on September 23, 1992, where the monarch emphasised the need to foster interests in learning Jawi script.
"It's also an opportunity to popularise this concept among the younger generation because we need to ensure our heritage is preserved."
Centuries ago people in Brunei used to write in Jawi to convey messages with one another.
"When people wanted to trade with foreigners, Jawi writing was the only means of communications," she said.
It was only during the system period of "Ja'abah" did Brunei began replacing Jawi with with Roman alphabets known as Rumi.
The bureau also plans to introduce, "e-Library" next year which aimed to expand reading culture to a wider audience especially among the youth.
According to Hjh Aminah, the new services are already in progress with 90 per cent of published books being uploaded in the system.
The "e-Library" will give the public easy and quick access to books or articles by just clicking and searching the online archives.
"The e-library will make readers find their books easily, like an indicator to where the books are instead of just asking a librarian," Head of Production and Marketing Hj Zainal Arifin BKDP Hj Sirat said.
"It's like walking through on a whole library in front of your desktop window."
The launching of the "Language Portal" and "e-Library" is to mark the Language and Literature bureau's 50th anniversary.
The bureau will also be hosting a book fair on February 26, 2011, in conjunction with Brunei's 27th National Day.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Wardi Buntar
Quelle/Source: Bru Direct, 22.12.2010
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