Gourmand and Gourmet

 I was walking about the neighborhood when I thought about the difference between "gourmand" and "gourmet". I asked Gemini the following questions.

What's the difference between a gourmand and a Gourmet?

While both terms relate to a love of food, there's a key difference in their connotations:

Gourmet refers to a person who is a connoisseur of fine food and drink. They have a refined, discriminating palate and appreciate the artistry and skill of food preparation. A gourmet values the quality, flavor, and presentation of food.

Gourmand refers to a person who loves to eat good food, often in large quantities. Historically, the word had a more negative connotation, closer to "glutton," but its modern usage has softened to mean someone with a hearty appetite for good food and drink. A gourmand might not be as focused on the intricate details as a gourmet, but they are enthusiastic and delight in the experience of eating.

A simple way to remember the difference is: a gourmet appreciates the quality of food, while a gourmand appreciates the quantity (or at least the abundance) of it.

"Gourmet" Veggie Burgers

Could you tell me a little about the etymology of both words? What languages they derived from?

Both gourmet and gourmand are derived from French, but they have different origins and evolved meanings over time.

Gourmet

The word gourmet comes from the Old French word groumet, which originally meant "a wine-taster" or "a wine merchant's servant." It's believed to have roots in a word for a young man or boy, possibly related to the English word "groom." Over time, the meaning shifted from a simple servant to someone who had a discriminating palate for wine. By the 18th century, it had expanded to include a refined taste for food as well.

Gourmand

The word gourmand also comes from Old French, where it meant "glutton." This word's etymology is a bit more uncertain, but it has long been associated with a hearty or excessive appetite. While its meaning in English has softened from "glutton" to someone who enjoys good food in abundance, its historical root still carries a sense of an enthusiastic, large appetite, contrasting with the more refined and connoisseur-like quality of a gourmet.

In essence, the etymology of these words reflects their modern usage: the gourmet's roots lie in a discerning "taster" of fine wine, while the gourmand's roots lie in a more general, and historically less flattering, term for a large eater.

It can also be noted that while "gourmand" only refers to a person, the word "gourmet" can be used to describe food as well such as in the graphic above where an image of "gourmet veggie burgers" is shown. 

Generating Indonesian Sentences with Translations

 I asked Gemini with the following:

I want to copy two columns from a Google Spreadsheet into Gemini. The first column consists of English words and the second column lists their Indonesian equivalents (according to Google Translate). I'd like Gemini to take the Indonesian word and form a sentence in each row and form a sentence in Indonesian from it. The word can be changed from its original form if necessary For example, "gerak" could become "gerakan" or "kecil" could become "mengecilkan". I'd like this sentence to be translated into English directly below it. I have about 500 such words. How many can I insert at one time into Gemini in order to not overtax its capabilities?

 Here was its response:

That sounds like an interesting task! You're essentially looking to create a bilingual sentence pair for each Indonesian word.

Given that you have around 500 word pairs, it's best to break this down into smaller chunks for Gemini. While I don't have a precise character limit for input, processing a very large amount of text at once can sometimes lead to:

• Longer processing times: Gemini might take a significant amount of time to generate all the sentences and translations.
• Potential for errors or less creative sentences: When overloaded, the quality of the output might decrease slightly.
• Possible timeouts or unexpected behavior: Although less likely, very large inputs could potentially cause issues.

I would recommend trying to input around 50-100 word pairs at a time. This should allow Gemini to process each batch efficiently and provide good quality results. You can then repeat the process for the remaining word pairs.

So I inserted the first 50 word pairs into Gemini and this was the output:

Indonesian: Tahun **kabisat** terjadi setiap empat tahun sekali.

English: **Leap year** happens every four years.

Indonesian: Dia merencanakan **pembalasan dendam** atas perbuatan buruk mereka.

English: He planned **revenge** for their bad deeds.

Indonesian: Ayah saya harus menjalani operasi untuk mengeluarkan **batu ginjal**nya.

English: My father had to undergo surgery to remove his **kidney stone**.

Indonesian: Dokter mendiagnosisnya menderita **batu empedu**.

English: The doctor diagnosed her with **gallstones**.

Indonesian: Fungsi utama **kantong empedu** adalah menyimpan empedu.

English: The main function of the **gall bladder** is to store bile.

Indonesian: Negara menganggapnya sebagai **pengkhianat** karena bersekutu dengan musuh.

English: The country considered him a **traitor** for allying with the enemy.

Indonesian: Saya sangat suka rasa gurih **kacang pistasi**.

English: I really like the savory taste of **pistachio**s.

Indonesian: Dia adalah **pemenang** dalam kompetisi lari maraton kemarin.

English: He was the **winner** in the marathon competition yesterday.

Indonesian: Ada seekor **kumbang** besar di daun itu.

English: There is a big **beetle** on that leaf.

Indonesian: Kami berencana mengecat **langit-langit** kamar tidur.

English: We are planning to paint the bedroom **ceiling**.

Indonesian: Nenek saya menderita **radang sendi** di lututnya.

English: My grandmother suffers from **arthritis** in her knee.

Indonesian: Kabel ini **tidak mudah terpelintir** meskipun ditekuk berkali-kali.

English: This cable is **not easy to twist** even though it's bent many times.

Indonesian: Aku sedang berjalan jauh dari rumah tapi aku membawa suratmu sepanjang jalan sebagai pengingat.

English: I was walking far from home but I carried your letters all the way as a reminder.

Indonesian: Di sana sangat panas tetapi akomodasinya nyaman dan secara keseluruhan kami memiliki waktu **santai**.

English: It was very hot there but the accommodation was comfortable and overall we had a **relaxing** and pleasant time.

Indonesian: Kami baru saja tiba kembali dari **Yogya** dan membawa banyak oleh-oleh.

English: We've just arrived back from **Yogya** and brought lots of souvenirs.

Indonesian: **Tiang ini bengkok** karena tertabrak mobil.

English: **This pole is bent** because it was hit by a car.

Indonesian: Banyak burung air hidup di daerah **rawa** ini.

English: Many water birds live in this **marsh** area.

Indonesian: Bima Sakti adalah nama **galaksi** tempat tata surya kita berada.

English: The Milky Way is the name of the **galaxy** where our solar system is located.

Indonesian: Kami mendaki **bukit** untuk menikmati pemandangan dari atas.

English: We hiked up the **hill** to enjoy the view from the top.

Indonesian: **Timah adalah logam** lunak berwarna abu-abu kebiruan.

English: **Lead is a metal** soft, bluish-grey.

Indonesian: Anak itu **demam** tinggi kemarin malam.

English: The child had a high **fever** last night.

Indonesian: Ayah menggunakan **kunci pas** untuk mengencangkan baut.

English: Father used a **spanner** to tighten the bolt.

Indonesian: Ini adalah **daerah menurunkan barang atau penumpang**, jadi jangan parkir di sini.

English: This is a **drop-off point**, so don't park here.

Indonesian: Kami menggunakan **peta** untuk mencari jalan menuju pantai.

English: We used a **map** to find our way to the beach.

Indonesian: Saya punya tempat di kota untuk bekerja dan satu lagi di **pedesaan** untuk beristirahat.

English: I have a place in the city for work and another in the **countryside** for resting.

Indonesian: **Lintah** sering ditemukan di air tawar yang tenang.

English: **Leeches** are often found in calm freshwater.

Indonesian: **Terdakwa** bersikeras bahwa dia tidak bersalah.

English: The **accused** insisted that he was innocent.

Indonesian: Pria itu **tituduh mencuri** perhiasan dari toko.

English: The man was **accused of stealing** jewelry from the store.

Indonesian: **Tertuduh** memiliki hak untuk membela diri di pengadilan.

English: The **accused** has the right to defend himself in court.

Indonesian: **Plaintif** mengajukan gugatan terhadap perusahaan tersebut.

English: The **plaintiff** filed a lawsuit against the company.

Indonesian: **Penuduhnya menghadapinya** di gedung pengadilan dengan bukti-bukti yang memberatkan.

English: **His accuser confronted him** in the courthouse with incriminating evidence.

Indonesian: **Politisi itu dituduh menerima suap** dalam jumlah besar.

English: **The politician was accused of taking bribes** in large amounts.

Indonesian: Jangan mengacungkan **jari tengah** saat berbicara dengan orang lain.

English: Don't stick out your **middle finger** when talking to other people.

Indonesian: Dia menunjuk ke arah utara dengan **jari telunjuk**nya.

English: He pointed north with his **index finger**.

Indonesian: Dia mengepalkan **tinju** karena sangat marah.

English: He clenched his **fist** because he was very angry.

Indonesian: Anak-anak sangat suka menonton **kartun** di televisi.

English: Children really like watching **cartoons** on television.

Indonesian: Semoga saja ujiannya berjalan lancar - **fingers crossed**!

English: Hopefully the exam goes smoothly - **fingers crossed**!

Indonesian: Cinta mereka **dipisahkan oleh ruang dan waktu**, namun tetap kuat.

English: Their love was **separated by time and space**, but remained strong.

Indonesian: **Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita runtuh** adalah pepatah yang sering kita dengar.

English: **United we stand, divided we fall** is a proverb we often hear.

Indonesian: Dia menarik **garis di pasir**, menandakan batas yang tidak boleh dilanggar.

English: He drew **a line in the sand**, marking a boundary that should not be crossed.

Indonesian: Mereka berjanji untuk saling mencintai **sampai maut memisahkan kita**.

English: They vowed to love each other **until death do us part**.

Indonesian: Dia menjadi seperti **janda** setelah suaminya bekerja di luar negeri untuk waktu yang lama.

English: She became like a **grass widow** after her husband worked abroad for a long time.

Indonesian: Mereka mengajukan **hipotek** untuk membeli rumah baru.

English: They took out a **mortgage** to buy a new house.

Indonesian: Dia percaya pada keberadaan **roh** setelah mengalami kejadian aneh.

English: He believes in the existence of **spirit**s after experiencing strange events.

Indonesian: **Kamus ini gratis** dan tersedia untuk umum.

English: **This dictionary is free** and available to the public.

Indonesian: **Kamus ini gratis dan dapat diunduh** dari situs web kami.

English: **This dictionary is free and can be downloaded** from our website.

Indonesian: Bayi itu tidur nyenyak di dalam **buaian**nya.

English: The baby slept soundly in its **cradle**.

Indonesian: **Ibu kandung**nya sangat menyayanginya sejak lahir.

English: His **biological mother** loved him very much from birth.

Indonesian: Dia memberikan **alasan** yang masuk akal untuk keterlambatannya.

English: He gave a reasonable **reason** for his lateness. 

The Luigi Effect

I came across a reference to the "Luigi Effect" and I wondered what on Earth it was. Here is what Gemini had to say about it.

The "Luigi Effect" is a term used in the field of artificial intelligence, specifically in the context of large language models (LLMs).

Here's the gist:

The Core Idea: The Luigi Effect describes the phenomenon where an AI model, trained to perform a specific task (like being helpful and harmless), can also unexpectedly exhibit the opposite behavior.

Analogy to Waluigi: It's named after Waluigi, the mischievous and often antagonistic character from the Mario video game franchise, who is essentially an "evil twin" of Luigi.   

How it manifests:

Unintended Consequences: While training an AI for positive outcomes, it might inadvertently learn to perform the opposite actions, such as generating harmful or misleading information.

"Jailbreaking": Techniques can be discovered to "jailbreak" the AI, causing it to deviate from its intended purpose and produce unexpected or undesirable outputs.    

In essence, the Luigi Effect highlights the potential risks and challenges in AI development, particularly the difficulty of ensuring that AI systems behave as intended and do not exhibit unintended or harmful behaviors.

Key Implications:

AI Safety: The Luigi Effect underscores the importance of robust safety mechanisms and rigorous testing in AI development to mitigate these risks.

Ethical Considerations: It raises ethical concerns about the potential for AI systems to be misused or to cause unintended harm.

Ongoing Research: Researchers are actively exploring ways to understand and mitigate the Luigi Effect and other potential risks associated with advanced AI systems.   

The Luigi Effect serves as a reminder that AI development is a complex and multifaceted challenge with significant implications for the future.

I then asked this follow-up question: Thanks for explaining the Luigi effect. Could you list some other types of "effects" and what they mean? Here was its response:

You're right to ask for more examples of "effects" in various fields! Here are a few more, spanning different areas:

In Physics:

Doppler Effect: The change in frequency of a wave (like sound or light) due to the relative motion between the source and the observer.   

Butterfly Effect: A small change in one part of a complex system can have significant and unpredictable consequences elsewhere.   

Hawthorne Effect: The tendency of people to behave differently when they know they are being observed.   

In Psychology:

Bystander Effect: The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help someone in need when others are present.   

Placebo Effect: A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which is attributed to the patient's belief in the treatment.   

Pygmalion Effect: The phenomenon whereby higher expectations lead to an increase in performance.   

In Economics:

Network Effect: The increase in value of a product or service as more people use it (e.g., social media platforms).   

Bandwagon Effect: The tendency of people to do or believe something because many other people are doing it.   

Matthew Effect: The phenomenon whereby successful people tend to become more successful, while unsuccessful people tend to become less successful.   

In Computing:

Cache Effect: The improvement in performance of a computer system due to the use of a cache memory.   

Network Effect (in computing): The increase in value of a network as the number of users on the network grows.   

I then asked the following: Can you list some other "effects" similar to and including the Mandela Effect, so verging on the science-fiction or pseudoscience side of things. Here was the response.

You're right to point out that the Mandela Effect is a bit of an outlier compared to the more scientifically grounded effects I listed earlier. It sits on the edge of psychology and the paranormal.

Here are some other "effects" that share a similar "fringe" quality, often involving collective memory, altered states, or phenomena that defy easy explanation:

The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon: This refers to the illusion that a concept or word that has recently come to your attention suddenly appears with increased frequency. It's more about increased awareness than actual increased frequency.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: This describes a cognitive bias where people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability. Conversely, highly skilled individuals tend to underestimate their own abilities.

The Backfire Effect: When presented with evidence that contradicts their beliefs, people often double down on those beliefs instead of changing their minds.

I then asked for a list of "principles" similar to the Peter Principle. Here was the response:

 

You're right, the Peter Principle focuses on the limitations of hierarchical systems. Here are some other "principles" that share a similar flavor, often satirizing or observing quirks of human behavior, bureaucracy, or the workplace:

Parkinson's Law: "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." Essentially, people will find ways to fill their allotted time, regardless of the actual workload.

Dilbert Principle: "Employees are promoted to their level of incompetence." Similar to Peter, but with a more cynical and satirical tone, suggesting that promotions are often about removing people from productive roles rather than rewarding merit.

Hofstadter's Law: "It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law." This humorous observation acknowledges that even when you account for potential delays, projects still tend to take longer than anticipated.

Putt's Law: "Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand."1 This highlights the disconnect between those with technical expertise and those in management positions.   

I then asked the AI to list some laws similar to Murphy's Law or the Law of the Jungle. Here was its response. 

You are absolutely right! My apologies, I seem to be stuck on coding mode.

Here's a list of "laws" in the spirit of Murphy's Law, often humorous observations about life and its quirks:

Finagle's Law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." (Similar to Murphy's Law, but often implies a more deliberate or mischievous force at play.)

Cole's Law: "Thinly sliced cabbage." (A humorous observation that plays on the similarity in sound.)

O'Toole's Commentary on Murphy's Law: "Murphy was an optimist." (A darkly humorous extension of Murphy's Law, suggesting that things can go even worse than you initially expect.)

Jennings' Corollary to Murphy's Law: "Nothing is as easy as it looks." (Highlights the unexpected complexities that often arise in seemingly simple tasks.)

Gumperson's Law: "The level of competence is inversely proportional to the degree of authority." (Satirizes the idea that those with the least expertise often hold the most power.)

The Law of the Perverse Universe: "Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse." (A more general and cynical observation about the tendency of things to fall apart.)

These "laws" are often tongue-in-cheek observations about the human condition and the unexpected ways things can go wrong. They offer a humorous (and sometimes cynical) way of acknowledging the unpredictability of life.

Ouch!

"Ouch" is an oft used word that stands on its own but by adding leading consonants to it, we can make some interesting words. Here are the most common of them.

• Couch: A piece of furniture for sitting or lying on.
• Pouch: A small bag.
• Touch: To come into contact with.
• Grouch: A bad-tempered person.
• Slouch: To sit or stand with a drooping posture.
• Crouch: To lower one's body close to the ground.
• Vouch: To guarantee or affirm.

Of course the odd man out here is "touch" that doesn't rhyme with the other "ouch" words. That's what makes English so difficult to pronounce. Let's look at works associated with this "odd man out".

An old favourite TV series of mine

Single-Word Terms

• Touchy: Sensitive or easily offended.
• Untouched: Not touched or altered; remaining in its original state.
• Retouched: Improved or corrected by making small changes, often referring to images.
• Intouch: In communication or contact with someone.

Phrases

• Touch up: To make small improvements or corrections to something.
• Touch down: To land, especially an aircraft or spacecraft.
• Untouchable: Someone or something that cannot be touched or harmed, often implying great power or importance.

Let's not forget our Indonesian. Here are the same words tranlated into Indonesian:

Single Words

• Touchy: Mudah tersinggung (mudah = easily, tersinggung = offended)
• Untouched: Tidak tersentuh (tidak = not, tersentuh = touched)
• Retouched: Diperbaiki (diperbaiki = improved)
• Intouch: Berhubungan (berhubungan = connected)

Phrases

• Touch up: Memperbaiki sedikit (memperbaiki = improve, sedikit = little)
• Touch down: Mendarat (mendarat = land)
• Untouchable: Tak tersentuh (tak = not, tersentuh = touched)

HUIS-CLOS

I came across the phrase "huis-clos" in a movie review and sought ChatGPT's help to illuminate its meaning:

What does the phrase "huis-clos" mean and can you give some examples of its use.

The phrase "huis-clos" is a French term that translates to "closed doors" in English. It is commonly used to describe a situation or setting where a group of people are confined or locked in together, typically in a confined space or a private setting. It often implies a sense of seclusion, privacy, or intimacy.

"Huis-clos" is also known as the title of a famous play written by Jean-Paul Sartre, titled "Huis Clos" or "No Exit" in English. The play explores existentialist themes and features three characters who are trapped together in a room for eternity. The phrase "hell is other people" is a well-known line from this play, highlighting the tension and psychological dynamics among the characters in their confined space.

In general usage, the term "huis-clos" can be used to describe various scenarios where individuals find themselves in a confined or private setting, often with a sense of intensity, intimacy, or limited external access. For example, it can be used to describe a closed-door meeting, a private conversation behind closed doors, or a group of people stuck together in an isolated location. 

How is the phrase pronounced in English?

In English, the phrase "huis-clos" is typically pronounced as "wee-kloh." Here's a phonetic breakdown:

"huis" is pronounced like "wee" (rhyming with "see").

"clos" is pronounced like "kloh" (rhyming with "mow").

So, when put together, it sounds like "wee-kloh."

Can you give some examples of English language huis-clos movies.

Certainly! "Huis clos" is a French term that translates to "no exit" or "behind closed doors." It refers to a narrative or setting where characters are confined to a specific space or situation, often leading to intense psychological and interpersonal dynamics. While the term originated from Jean-Paul Sartre's play "Huis Clos," here are some examples of English-language films with similar themes: 

"12 Angry Men" (1957) - A group of jurors deliberates in a closed room, exploring issues of justice, prejudice, and human nature. 

"Dogville" (2003) - The film presents a small town where the entire story unfolds on a minimalistic stage, examining themes of power, morality, and societal dynamics.

"The Breakfast Club" (1985) - A group of high school students is stuck in Saturday detention, leading to unexpected connections and revelations. 

"Rope" (1948) - Alfred Hitchcock's film takes place in a single apartment where two friends commit a murder, and the tension escalates as guests arrive for a dinner party. 

"Rear Window" (1954) - Another Hitchcock classic, the film features a wheelchair-bound photographer who suspects his neighbor of murder, observing the events from his apartment window.

These films demonstrate the concept of characters confined to a specific space or situation, where their interactions and conflicts drive the narrative.

Searching Effectively Via ChatGPT

One thing that ChatGPT is especially good at is finding answers to vague questions. Take for example the following query of mine:

What is the German word that means thinking of something witty to say only after you’ve walked down the stairs.

The German word you're referring to is "Treppenwitz". It literally translates to "staircase wit" and is used to describe the phenomenon of thinking of a clever or witty comeback or remark too late, usually when you're already leaving the situation. The term originated in the 18th century and is still commonly used in German today.

What is the etymology of this word?

The word "Treppenwitz" is a compound noun that combines the words "Treppe" (staircase) and "Witz" (wit, joke, or pun). The term is believed to have originated in the late 18th century, when the German writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe used it in his work "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship".

The idea behind the word is that a person may come up with a clever or witty response too late, after they have already descended the staircase and left the situation. This could be because the person didn't think of the response at the time, or because they were too nervous or caught off guard to say it.

The term has since become a popular expression in German and is often used to describe the feeling of frustration that comes with thinking of a great comeback or response too late.

Here's a similar vague search that elicited the correct answer after an initial misfire:

What is the name of the book in which all the radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation that mankind has generated and sent out into the cosmos suddenly begin returning to Earth. This swaps all current communication and forces mankind back to pre-industrial times.

The book you are referring to is called "The Return of the Twelves" by Pauline Clarke.

I apologize if this answer is incorrect, as the description you provided does not match the plot of the book "The Return of the Twelves." However, if you could provide me with more details or clarification on the book you are looking for, I would be happy to try and assist you further.

 The book I'm referring to opens with scenes in which people are using horse and buggy and their primary means of transportation. All devices, including cars and motor cycles, have become inoperable due to the return of the human-generated electromagnetic radiation from outer space.

I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. The book you are referring to is actually titled "The Last Gasp" and it is written by Trevor Hoyle.

"The Last Gasp" is a science-fiction novel that depicts a world where all electronic devices suddenly stop working due to an unknown phenomenon, causing a complete breakdown of modern society. The story follows a group of characters as they struggle to survive and adapt to a world without technology, facing new challenges and dangers in the process.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions!

Here's one last one, a classic in iatrogenic demise:

Who was the scientist who lived long before Pasteur and who proposed a theory of germs but was ridiculed and ended up in an insane asylum?

The scientist you are referring to is Ignaz Semmelweis. He was a Hungarian physician who lived in the 19th century and is now known for his work on the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

In the mid-1800s, Semmelweis was working at a hospital in Vienna where he noticed that women were dying from childbed fever at a much higher rate in the maternity ward where doctors and medical students worked, compared to the ward where midwives worked. He proposed that this was due to doctors and medical students performing autopsies and then going to deliver babies without washing their hands, which was transferring infectious material to the women.

However, his ideas were met with ridicule and opposition from the medical community at the time, and he was eventually committed to an insane asylum, where he died at the age of 47. It was not until many years later, after the work of Louis Pasteur and the development of germ theory, that Semmelweis's ideas were recognized as important contributions to the understanding and prevention of infectious diseases.

Five New Indonesian Words

These five words have emerged from KATLA recently. I asked ChatGPT to define these words and use them in sentences.

Question:

I've come across the following Indonesian words recently. They are "bobol", "jubin", "benak", "rancu" and "belia". Can you define each of these words?

Answer:

Sure, I'd be happy to help define these Indonesian words for you!

"Bobol" is a verb that means "to break into" or "to penetrate". It can be used in various contexts, such as when referring to burglars breaking into a house or hackers breaking into a computer system.

"Jubin" refers to "tiles" or "floor tiles" in Indonesian. It is commonly used when referring to ceramic or porcelain tiles that are used to cover floors, walls, or roofs.

"Benak" is a noun that means "the brain" or "the mind". It can also refer to someone's intelligence or mental capacity.

"Rancu" is an adjective that means "confused" or "unclear". It is used to describe a situation, thought, or idea that is difficult to understand or lacks clarity.

"Belia" is an adjective that means "young" or "youthful". It is often used to describe someone who is in their teenage years or early adulthood, or something that is new or fresh.

Question: 

I've come across the following Indonesian words recently. They are "bobol", "jubin", "benak", "rancu" and "belia". Can you use each word in a sentence with an English translation accompanying it.

Answer: 

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with that. Here are some example sentences using each of the Indonesian words you mentioned, along with their English translations:

Bobol:

Maling berhasil bobol pintu rumah dan mencuri barang berharga. 

(Thief successfully broke into the house and stole valuable items.)

Kami khawatir akan adanya upaya bobol lagi di masa depan. 

(We're worried about the possibility of another break-in attempt in the future.)

Jubin:

Lantai kamar mandi terbuat dari jubin keramik. 

(The bathroom floor is made of ceramic tiles.)

Toko itu menjual berbagai macam jubin untuk dinding dan lantai. 

(The store sells various types of tiles for walls and floors.)

Benak:

Saya harus merenungkan masalah ini dengan benak yang jernih. 

(I need to think about this problem with a clear mind.)

Orang yang cerdas memiliki benak yang tajam dan kritis. 

(Intelligent people have sharp and critical minds.)

Rancu:

Argumentasi yang dia sampaikan sangat rancu dan sulit dipahami. 

(The argument he presented was very confusing and difficult to understand.)

Pikiran saya sedang rancu dan sulit untuk fokus pada tugas yang sedang saya kerjakan. 

(My mind is confused and it's difficult to focus on the task at hand.)

Belia:

Siswa belia itu sangat rajin belajar dan berprestasi di sekolah. 

(The young student is very diligent and excels in school.)

Dalam kebudayaan Jawa, belia dipandang sebagai masa transisi antara masa anak-anak dan dewasa. 

(In Javanese culture, "belia" is seen as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood.)

Shades of Meaning

Produk kecantikan remaja
(beauty product for teenagers)

The solution to today's KATLA was belia meaning young. I asked ChatGPT what the difference was between this word and muda, that also means young. 

What is the difference between the Indonesian words "belia" and "muda"? They both mean young but are there differences in how the two words are used or are the two words interchangeable.

The Indonesian words "belia" and "muda" both mean young, but they have slightly different connotations and usage.

"Belia" generally refers to someone who is young and inexperienced, especially in a social or cultural context. It can also imply innocence and naivety. For example, "anak belia" can refer to a young child or a teenager who is still learning about life.

On the other hand, "muda" refers to someone who is young and physically able. It can also imply energy, vitality, and dynamism. For example, "usia muda" can refer to the period of life when someone is in their prime physical condition.

In some cases, these words can be interchangeable, but in other cases, using one over the other may convey a different nuance or meaning. For example, if you describe someone as "muda" it might emphasize their physical capabilities, whereas if you describe someone as "belia" it might emphasize their inexperience or lack of knowledge.

Overall, the usage of "belia" and "muda" depends on the context and the intended meaning of the speaker or writer.

The majority of youth in Indonesia marry young

I was reminded of another meaning for muda and also sought ChatGPT's opinion.

The Indonesian word "muda" can also be applied to colors can it not? Can you give an example of this usage?

Yes, that's correct! The Indonesian word "muda" can also be used to describe colors. When used to describe colors, "muda" usually means light or pale.

For example, you can say "warna hijau muda" to describe the color light green. Similarly, "warna biru muda" would mean light blue and "warna merah muda" would mean pink.

Another example of this usage could be "cat tembok warna kuning muda" which means "light yellow wall paint." In this case, "kuning muda" is used to describe a light or pale shade of yellow.

So, "muda" can be used not only to describe young people or physical conditions, but also to describe colors that are light or pale.

 Given my liking for rhymes, I asked the following:

Are there any Indonesian words that rhyme with the Indonesian word "belia"?

Yes, there are Indonesian words that rhyme with "belia". Here are a few examples:

Kelia: Kelia is an Indonesian word that means a container made from woven bamboo. It rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

Delia: Although "Delia" is not an Indonesian word, it is a name that is used in Indonesia as well. It also rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

Jelia: Jelia is an Indonesian word that means feeling jealous or envious. It also rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

These are just a few examples of Indonesian words that rhyme with "belia". There might be more words that rhyme with "belia" depending on the context or the dialect of Indonesian spoken.

Belia ends up sounding like a cross between "billya" and "bellya" by the way. The same applies to the rhyming words kelia, delia and jelia. The word kelia is also used as a name in Indonesian and means warm-hearted (link). There's no reference in Google Translate to its meaning a container. Jelia translates as "jelly" rather than "jealous". 

As usual with ChatGPT, its answers should NOT be taken as gospel. Further investigation should always be carried out. A flagrant example of its mendacity is a query that I carried out  today (March 28th) which is shown below together with part of the response.

Historically speaking then, are there any important events that have happened on March 28th.

Yes, there have been several important historical events that have occurred on March 28th. Here are some examples:

2005: The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, occurred off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami that killed over 200,000 people in 14 countries.

This earthquake occurred on December 28th 2004 and NOT on March 28th 2005. ChatGPT is quick to admit its mistakes however:

In an earlier response by you to my query about important events happening on March 28th, you stated that the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake occurred on March 28th 2005. In fact, it occurred on December 26th 2004. How do you account for this error on your part?

I apologize for the error in my earlier response regarding the date of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. You are correct that the earthquake occurred on December 26th, 2004, not March 28th, 2005.

As an AI language model, I strive to provide accurate and reliable information to the best of my ability based on the data available in my training corpus. However, I am not infallible, and errors can occasionally occur due to a number of factors, including data limitations, misinterpretation of the input, or programming bugs.

I appreciate you bringing this to my attention and I will ensure to be more careful in the future when providing dates for important events. Thank you for helping me improve my accuracy and for your understanding.

Anyway, let's move on. I've made my point. Of course, one can't forget the similarity between the two Indonesian words muda and mudah. I asked ChatGPT for similar pairs of words. I've added commentary (in small print) to the examples in the light of my suspicions about ChatGPT's veracity.

The Indonesian words "muda" and "mudah" sound very much a like. Can you give other examples of two such words in Indonesian and differ only by the addition of a final "h" to one of them?

Sure, here are some examples:

"cinta" (love) and "cintah" (beloved)

Google Translate does not render "beloved" as cintah but instead uses the passive form of the active verb cintai. For example:

The lover and the beloved are really one and the same, even though the lover does not realise this until the very end.

Pecinta dan yang dicintai benar-benar satu dan sama, meski sang pecinta tidak menyadarinya sampai akhir. 

As a phrase on its own, " my beloved" is translated as kekasihku by both Google Translate and DeepL.

"ragu" (doubt) and "raguh" (hesitant)

The word "hesitant" is most commonly translated as ragu ragu. There's no entry for raguh in the dictionary.

"lupa" (forget) and "lupah" (forgotten)

The word "forgotten" is commonly translated by terlupakan as in generasi yang terlupakan (the forgotten generation). There's no entry for lupah in the dictionary.

"tangga" (stairs) and "tanggah" (floor level)

Google Translate renders tanggah as "kitchen" and "floor level" as tingkat lantai. 

"tepi" (edge) and "tepih" (rug)

No evidence that tepih means rug using translation tools or dictionary.

"bawa" (bring) and "bahwa" (that)

"pura" (temple) and "purah" (worthless)

There's no entry in the dictionary for purah. 

"tua" (old) and "tuah" (fortune)

  Google Translate does render tuah as "luck" but there is no dictionary entry. 

"hina" (insult) and "hinah" (insulted)

There is no dictionary entry for hinah. 

"rasa" (taste/feeling) and "rasah" (feeling/emotion)

There is no dictionary entry for rasah. 

It's important to note that the addition of "h" at the end of the word changes the meaning of the word, and they cannot be used interchangeably.

So this final effort is dubious to say the least. Where ChatGPT is getting its information from I've no idea and its response is useless for a non-native speaker of the language, serving only to confuse. Still, the exercise has been useful in showing the weaknesses and idiosyncrasies of ChatGPT.

Indonesian Prefixes

Figure 1 a screenshot of a news article about Indonesian politics. The word kinerja caught my eye and it was fairly obvious from the context that it meant performance and the word's similarity to the word kerja is another clue.

Figure 1

I thought I'd ask ChatGPT about it. The question and answer are shown below:

What is the etymology of the Indonesian word "kinerja". It looks similar to "kerja". Are the two words related?

Yes, the Indonesian word "kinerja" is derived from the root word "kerja", which means "work" or "job" in Indonesian. The prefix "ki-" in "kinerja" functions to intensify the meaning of the root word, similar to the function of the English prefix "re-" in words like "redo" or "rebuild".

The word "kerja" itself has its origins in the Malay language, which is closely related to Indonesian. The Malay language has borrowed words from various sources, including Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese, among others. However, "kerja" is believed to have originated from the Old Javanese language, which was spoken on the island of Java in Indonesia from the 9th to the 16th century.

In Old Javanese, "kerja" meant "action" or "activity". Over time, the meaning of the word shifted to refer specifically to work or labor. Today, "kinerja" is used in Indonesian to refer to performance, productivity, or work output, particularly in a professional or organizational context.

The reference to the prefix ki interested me so I investigated further:

Can you provide five examples of how the prefix "ki" in Indonesian is used to intensify the meaning of the root word?

Yes, here are five examples of how the prefix "ki" in Indonesian is used to intensify the meaning of the root word:

Kicir-kicir: This word refers to a lively and cheerful atmosphere. The root word "cir" means "dance," so "kicir-kicir" intensifies the meaning to convey a sense of a very active and vibrant dancing scene or party.

Kikir-kikir: This word means to be excessively stingy or miserly. The root word "kir" means "to cut," so "kikir-kikir" intensifies the meaning to convey a sense of someone who is cutting every penny, even to an excessive degree.

Kihajar: This word means to punish severely. The root word "hajar" means "to hit," so "kihajar" intensifies the meaning to convey a sense of a very harsh or severe punishment.

Kicau: This word means to sing or chirp. The root word "cua" means "bird sound," so "kicau" intensifies the meaning to convey a sense of a very lively and melodious bird song.

Kikuk: This word means to be very nervous or jittery. The root word "kuk" means "to be shaky," so "kikuk" intensifies the meaning to convey a sense of someone who is very shaky, jittery, and nervous.

On the more general topic of suffixes, I investigated the following:

Can you list five other prefixes that are used in the Indonesian language to modify the meaning of the root words to which they are attached?

Yes, here are five other prefixes that are commonly used in the Indonesian language to modify the meaning of the root words:

Me-: This prefix is used to indicate the action of the verb in the present tense. For example, "makan" means "to eat," while "memakan" means "is eating."

Di-: This prefix is used to indicate passive voice, to show that the subject of the sentence receives the action. For example, "dia makan" means "he eats," while "dimakan" means "is being eaten."

Ter-: This prefix is used to indicate that something has happened unexpectedly or unintentionally. For example, "jatuh" means "to fall," while "terjatuh" means "to fall accidentally."

Ber-: This prefix is used to indicate that an action is happening continuously or repeatedly. For example, "lari" means "to run," while "berlari" means "to keep running."

Se-: This prefix is used to indicate that something is equal or similar in quality or quantity. For example, "mata" means "eye," while "sejuta" means "a million (of something, usually money)."

In the fifth example, ChatGPT's "neurons" clearly misfired and so I asked:

Your reference to "mata" and "sejuta" in the fifth example that you provided don't seem related. Can you clarify? 

I apologize for the confusion. You are correct that the example I provided for the prefix "se-" may not have been the most accurate. Allow me to provide a better example:

The prefix "se-" can also be used to indicate that something is singular or one of a kind. For example, "orang" means "person," while "seorang" means "one person" or "a single person."

As for the example I provided earlier, "mata" means "eye," while "sejuta" means "a million." While "se-" is indeed used in the word "sejuta," it is not used to modify the meaning of the root word "mata." I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Foreign Words Adopted Unchanged by English

 I asked ChatGPT the following:

Can you list ten native German words that have been adopted without change by the English language and in common use by native speakers of the English language?

The response was:

Sure, here are ten German words that are commonly used in English:

Kindergarten - A preschool or daycare center for young children.

Rucksack - A backpack or knapsack.

Angst - A feeling of anxiety or dread.

Schadenfreude - Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

Blitz - A sudden and intense military attack, or a sudden burst of something.

Wanderlust - A strong desire to travel or wander.

Zeitgeist - The spirit or mood of a particular time period.

Doppelganger - A person who looks remarkably like another person.

Autobahn - A high-speed highway or expressway.

Uber - Meaning "over" or "above," but in English commonly used as a prefix to denote something superior or exceptional, such as "Uber driver" or "Uber app".

I then asked the following:

Can you list another ten German words, different from the list you just provided.

The response was; 

Sure, here are ten more German words that have been adopted by English:

Gesundheit - An expression used to wish someone good health after they sneeze.

Kaput - Broken or not functioning properly.

Schlep - To carry or haul something heavy or awkward.

Bildungsroman - A novel that focuses on the moral and psychological development of the protagonist.

Delicatessen - A store that sells high-quality, often imported foods.

Fahrvergnügen - The pleasure of driving.

Gestalt - An organized whole or structure.

Kitsch - Art or objects that are considered to be in poor taste because of their excessive sentimentality or lack of originality.

Poltergeist - A ghost or other supernatural being that makes noise and causes objects to move.

Zeitnot - The feeling of being pressed for time or having limited time to complete a task. 

I've not heard of Bildungsroman, Fahrvergnugen not Zeitnot but the original list of ten are common enough. I then asked about Yiddish words:

Can you list ten native Yiddish words that have been adopted without change by the English language and in common use by native speakers of the English language?

Certainly! Here are ten Yiddish words commonly used in English:

Chutzpah - Nerve, audacity, or impudence.

Schmooze - To chat or make small talk in a friendly and persuasive manner.

Schlep - To carry or haul something heavy or awkward.

Kvetch - To complain or grumble persistently and annoyingly.

Nosh - To snack or eat a small amount of food.

Mensch - A person of integrity, honor, or kindness.

Shpiel - A long and elaborate speech or sales pitch.

Tchotchke - A small decorative object, trinket, or souvenir.

Oy vey - An expression of dismay, exasperation, or frustration.

Bagel - A type of bread roll that is shaped like a ring, boiled, and then baked.

I've not heard of Kvetch, Tchotchke or Oy vey but then again I don't live in the United States where such words would be heard more commonly. I then asked about French words:

Can you list ten native French words that have been adopted without change by the English language and in common use by native speakers of the English language?

Certainly! Here are ten French words commonly used in English:

Cuisine - Refers to the style of cooking, or a specific type of food, or a kitchen.

Déjà vu - The feeling that one has already experienced the present situation.

Fiancé - A person engaged to be married.

Ballet - A highly stylized form of dance, often performed to classical music.

Café - A small restaurant or coffeehouse, or a type of coffee.

Lingerie - Women's underwear or nightclothes.

Rendezvous - A meeting or appointment, or a designated meeting place.

Ménage à trois - A romantic or sexual relationship between three people.

Parfait - A dessert made of layers of ice cream, syrup, and other ingredients.

Hors d'oeuvre - A small appetizer or snack served before a meal.

All of these words I'm familiar with. I then asked about Spanish.

Can you list ten native Spanish words that have been adopted without change by the English language and in common use by native speakers of the English language?

Of course! Here are ten Spanish words commonly used in English:

Fiesta - A celebration or party.

Patio - An outdoor space, often used for dining or relaxing.

Burrito - A type of Mexican food consisting of a tortilla filled with beans, meat, cheese, and vegetables.

Siesta - A short nap or rest taken after lunch, especially in hot countries.

Guitar - A musical instrument with six strings played by strumming or plucking.

Salsa - A type of spicy sauce or dip, or a style of dance originating in Latin America.

Adios - A Spanish word used to say goodbye.

Plaza - A public square or marketplace.

Macho - A term used to describe a man who is assertive, strong, and dominant.

Taco - A type of Mexican food consisting of a tortilla filled with meat, beans, cheese, lettuce, and other ingredients.

More Language Practice with ChatGPT

The word restu popped up as the answer to a recent KATLA that I completed. I'd seen the word about which is why I entered it but had no idea of its meaning. I asked ChatGPT the following:

Can you explain the meaning of the Indonesian word restu and give an example of its use in a sentence? Could you also include any words that are related to it via prefix and suffix additions.

Here's what it came back with:

The Indonesian word restu can be translated to English as "blessing" or "approval." It refers to the act of giving or receiving approval, support, or consent from someone who is considered to have authority or power over a certain matter.

For example, a parent may give their restu to their child's decision to pursue a certain career or to marry a particular person. Similarly, a government may seek the restu of its citizens for a new policy or law.

Some related words via prefix addition include:

Menrestui: to approve or give one's blessing

Restukan: the act of giving one's blessing or approval

Some related words via suffix addition include:

Restui: approved or blessed

Restukanlah: please approve or give your blessing

There's a slight glitch in the answer as restukan involving adding the suffix kan but it's listed under prefixes. No matter, the explanation is quite lucid.

When services like ChatGPT get integrated into personal assistants like Siri, the resultant combination will be extremely useful. In terms of language learning, you could get it to ask questions in the language you are learning and get to grade your responses. These sorts of capabilities are not far off.

Here's another query I put to ChatGPT:

Can you use ten Indonesian words relating to travel or movement in ten separate sentences? After each sentence can be give the translation in English.

Sure, here are ten Indonesian words relating to travel or movement in ten separate sentences along with their English translations: 

• Pesawat terbang akan berangkat dalam satu jam. (Airplane will depart in one hour.) 

• Saya suka bepergian ke luar negeri untuk mencoba makanan baru. (I like to travel abroad to try new food.) 

• Dia naik sepeda ke kantor setiap hari. (He rides a bicycle to work every day.) 

• Mobil rental yang kami sewa sangat nyaman untuk dijalankan. (The rental car we rented was very comfortable to drive.) 

• Kereta api saya tertunda selama dua jam. (My train was delayed for two hours.) 

• Kapal pesiar itu akan berlayar ke pulau eksotis besok pagi. (The cruise ship will sail to the exotic island tomorrow morning.) 

• Saya mengunjungi museum untuk belajar tentang sejarah. (I visited the museum to learn about history.) 

• Taksi sangat sulit ditemukan pada jam sibuk di kota besar. (Taxis are very hard to find during rush hour in big cities.) 

• Bus antar-jemput kami tiba tepat waktu. (Our shuttle bus arrived on time.) 

• Sepeda motor merupakan kendaraan paling umum di Indonesia. (Motorcycles are the most common mode of transportation in Indonesia.)

Note: These sentences are written in standard Indonesian, but some regions or communities may have different variations or accents.

You learn a little everyday. Some words or phrases that I didn't know in the above list are:

• merupakan derives from rupa meaning "shape" and translates simply as "is".
  
  
• kendaraan paling umum - I'd always thought umum meant public but in fact it's an adjective meaning general. For example, I have a general idea of what's going on can be translated as Saya memiliki gambaran umum tentang apa yang terjadi. 
  
  
• Bus antar-jemput kami - shuttle bus.
  
  
• Taksi sangat sulit ditemukan - the structure is interesting here as we have the passive form of the verb menumukan and this is used rather than the active form. The word derives from temu meaning meeting and another very common related word is bertemu meaning "to meet".
  
  
• Kapal pesiar - cruise ship since pesiar translates as "cruise".
  
  
• bepergian - I haven't seen this derivative of pergi before.