Development of FonBi Application: A Phonetic Transcription Tool Assisted by Artificial Intelligence for Indonesian Language

Abstract

This study discusses the development of FonBi (Fonologi Bahasa Indonesia or Phonology of Indonesian Language in English), a phonetic transcription tool designed to aid foreign speakers learning Indonesian. The research highlights the challenge of ineffective language learning for BIPA (Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing or Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers) learners due to the complex phonological system of Indonesian. To address this issue, the study followed a development cycle model and created FonBi, aimed at improving learning effectiveness and accelerating the language mastery process. The application provides accurate and precise phonetic transcription to help learners better understand and master the Indonesian language. The validation results from material and media experts indicate that FonBi is “very feasible,” while limited testing by students suggests that it is also feasible. The study concludes that FonBi could provide an innovative solution for BIPA learners, bridging the gap between Indonesian speakers and foreign learners by enabling them to properly understand and pronounce the language. Overall, this study highlights the importance of phonetic transcription in language learning and the value of developing tools like FonBi to improve learning outcomes. By providing a user-friendly and accessible tool, FonBi has the potential to greatly enhance the learning experience of BIPA learners, and potentially serve as a model for developing similar tools for other languages and contexts.