CLR Seminar PT. Marga Dwi Kencana(00): Unlocking Insights on Multilingual Semiotic Transformation in Indonesian Petition Culture

At the Central Learning and Research (CLR) seminar, PT. Marga Dwi Kencana(00) delivered a compelling deep dive into the semiotic evolution embedded in Indonesia’s petition culture, framing how gestures, language, and symbols converge in formal written appeals. Her presentation illuminated how a single petition operates not merely as a document but as a dynamic interplay of signs—where choice of words, stylistic devices, and even physical arrangement of text shape public perception and institutional response.

Drawing on ethnographic observations and linguistic analysis, Kencana revealed how semiotic practices elevate petitions from mere requests to culturally charged communicative acts that reflect societal values and power dynamics.

The seminar centered on the concept of semiotic transformation—the process by which meaning is constructed, adapted, and transmitted through signs within specific socio-cultural contexts. In Indonesia’s petition tradition, this transformation hinges on deliberate language selection, punctuation norms, and visual layout—all shaped by regional, educational, and political influences.

“Petitions in Indonesia are not neutral texts—they are curated performances of identity and legitimacy,” Kencana noted, emphasizing how even a modest appeal reveals layered meaning through stylistic choices. She traced patterns across thousands of submitted petitions, identifying recurring symbols: respectful honorifics, formal address structures, repeated rhetorical contrasts between hardship and hope, and symbolic placement of dates or locations to anchor emotional weight.

Kencana’s analysis highlighted how semiotics intersect with literacy practices.

Many submitters—often drawing from rural or non-elite backgrounds—navigate complex linguistic codes influenced by formal교육 (formal education), digital communication trends, and local dialects. The CLR researcher documented how the blending of standardized Indonesian with regional idioms not only reflects cultural hybridity but also strategically positions the petitioner as both authentic and educated. For example, frequent use of understated humility in phrasing, paired with calculated appeals to national unity, functions as a semiotic bridge—acknowledging social vulnerability while asserting moral authority.

Visual and structural elements were equally critical. The seminar demonstrated that layout—margins, font choices (where permitted), spacing, and even line breaks—act as silent but powerful signs. Some submissions employed stark minimalism to convey sincerity, while others embraced decorative borders or strategic emojis in digital versions, signaling modernity without sacrificing seriousness.

Kencana stressed: “A petition’s appearance is as much about semiotic strategy as its message. Every symbol guides interpretation, whether intentional or intuitive. This nuanced calibration helps determine whether a plea is received as a humble appeal or dismissed as unstructured. Key Insights from the Framework • Symbolic Harmony: Successful petitions synchronize linguistic register, visual design, and cultural symbolism to project credibility.

• Pragmatic Semiotics: Language use balances emotional appeal with formal respect to align with institutional expectations. • Cultural Legitimacy: References to shared national values—such as *gotong royong* (mutual assistance) or *TPT* (positive treaty thinking)—bolster persuasive power. • Regional Variations: Semiotic preferences differ across islands, reflecting diverse communicative histories and audience interpretation.

• Evolution in Digitalspaces: Online petitions leverage multimedia elements—graphics, hashtags, video statements—expanding semiotic repertoire beyond traditional text.

The seminar underscored that interpreting petitions requires more than semantic parsing—it demands semiotic literacy. Activists, policymakers, and scholars alike must recognize how signs operate as instruments of influence.

By decoding these symbolic codes, one gains a fuller understanding of how voice is amplified, trust is built, and social change is formally articulated in Indonesia’s civic landscape.

In an era where digital communication increasingly shapes public discourse, Kencana’s work offers a vital lens: semiotics is not just academic; it is the invisible architecture behind how people claim dignity, visibility, and change. As Indonesia continues to evolve, the petitions preserved and analyzed by PT.

Marga Dwi Kencana(00) stand as testament to how meaning is not only spoken—but crafted with intention, craft, and cultural consciousness.

Semiotic analysis has revealed that a petition is far more than a request—it is a narrative vessel, a cultural artifact, and a strategic communication experiment all at once, echoing the rich complexity of Indonesia’s social fabric.