Why do people misspell this?
The misspelling occurs due to a phenomenon called syncope, which is the omission of a sound or letter in the middle of a word during speech. In daily conversation, Indonesian speakers tend to accelerate pronunciation, making the second 'e' inaudible, which eventually transfers into written form.
Etymology & History
This word is borrowed from the Dutch 'generaal', which also traces back to the Old French 'general'. The term refers to a high-ranking military leadership position with broad authority over entire units or 'general' matters.
Cultural Context
The use of the variant 'jendral' is commonly found in old media reports, classic film titles, and informal conversations. Although the formal standard officially maintains three syllables, the variant without the 'e' is perceived as more practical and masculine by some segments of society.
Usage Context
“Pemerintah memberikan penghargaan tanda jasa kepada sang jenderal atas dedikasinya dalam menjaga kedaulatan negara.”
The government presented a meritorious award to the general for his dedication to maintaining national sovereignty.