Javanese language

Jawa ing aksara Jawa

Raden Segara (Madurese in Javanese script-published in 1890) (cropped)

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Studioportret met de echtgenote van kunstschilder Raden Saleh en een bediende Batavia TMnr 60043601

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Portret van Pakoe Boewono X soesoehoenan van Soerakarta TMnr 10001886

Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. With over 82 million speakers, Javanese is the largest language without an official status anywhere in the world, and the 14th largest language by number of speakers. It is a member of the Austronesian language family, which includes languages spread across the islands of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, from Madagascar to Easter Island, and from Taiwan to New Zealand.

History

The Javanese language has a long history, with its origins tracing back to the proto-Austronesian language spoken thousands of years ago. The earliest known written texts in Javanese date from the 9th century, written in a script derived from the Brahmi script of ancient India. Over the centuries, Javanese evolved through three major linguistic stages: Old Javanese (9th to 13th century), Middle Javanese (14th to 16th century), and New Javanese (from the 16th century onwards). The language has been influenced by Sanskrit, Arabic, Dutch, and more recently, English, reflecting the complex history of Java and its interactions with other cultures.

Dialects

Javanese has several dialects, which can be broadly classified into three main groups: Western Javanese, Central Javanese, and Eastern Javanese. Each dialect has its own unique characteristics, but all speakers can generally understand each other. The Central Javanese dialect is considered the standard form of the language and is used in media and formal education.

Writing System

Historically, Javanese was written with a script called Carakan, which is an abugida developed from the Brahmi script. However, with the influence of European colonization, the Latin alphabet has become the dominant writing system for Javanese, especially in formal education and media. The traditional Carakan script is still used in some cultural and religious contexts.

Culture and Society

The Javanese language is deeply intertwined with the culture and society of the Javanese people. It reflects the social hierarchy through its use of different levels of speech, ranging from the informal ngoko, used among close friends and family, to the formal krama and krama inggil, used in respectful and formal situations. This linguistic stratification is a unique aspect of Javanese culture and is an important part of maintaining social harmony.

Current Status

Despite its large number of speakers, the Javanese language faces challenges in terms of preservation and promotion. The dominance of the Indonesian language, which is the official language of Indonesia and used in national media and education, has led to a decline in the use of Javanese, especially among younger generations in urban areas. Efforts are being made to revitalize the language through education, local media, and cultural promotion.

Conclusion

The Javanese language is a vital part of the cultural heritage of Indonesia, with a rich history and a complex system of social etiquette expressed through its linguistic levels. Despite the challenges it faces, it remains an integral part of Javanese identity and continues to be spoken by millions of people.