Javanese Language

Javanese is a language of the Austronesian family, spoken primarily in central and eastern Java, Indonesia. It is the most widely spoken native language in Indonesia, though Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) is the state language and the medium of instruction in schools.

Its speakers inhabit Central Java, East Java, and the special region of Yogyakarta, as well as parts of Banten and West East Java. Migration and transmigration (guuritaan) have produced Javanese-speaking populations in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and countries such as Suriname and Malaysia.

Speech Levels

The most distinctive feature of Javanese is its system of speech levels (registers). The informal level used with friends and family is called ngoko, while a formal level used to show respect to elders or strangers is called krama. Intermediate registers also exist. Variation affects individual words, not just intonation; each ordinary word may have two or three different forms depending on the register used.

Writing

Today Javanese is written mainly in Latin characters. Historically, a distinct script called Aksara Jawa (Hanacaraka) was used, derived from the Brahmi script tradition of India. The Javanese script is now taught mainly in regional schools and used for cultural purposes, such as road signs and public notices.

History and Literature

Javanese has a long written history. The earliest phase, known as Old Javanese (Kawi), appears in stone inscriptions and poetry from the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of Java. The language has borrowed extensively from Sanskrit, and later from Arabic and Dutch, reflecting changes in religion and colonial rule.

Current Status

Javanese remains widely spoken in homes and markets, but use of the formal krama register is declining among young people. Educational programs and regional media are working to maintain teaching of the script and registers.