Javanese language

Javanese is a major Austronesian language spoken by the Javanese people. It is primarily spoken on the island of Java in Indonesia. Most speakers live in the central and eastern parts of the island.

It is the largest Austronesian language based on the number of native speakers. Currently, more than 68 million people call Javanese their native tongue. Some estimates suggest that up to 100 million people understand the language. This makes it the 22nd largest language in the world by native speakers. It also ranks as the seventh largest language without official national status.

The language is organized into several regional dialects and distinct status styles. There are three main dialect groups: Western, Central, and Eastern Javanese. These dialects form a continuum from northern Banten to Banyuwangi Regency. While most dialects are mutually intelligible, some variations are quite significant. For example, a speaker from Surabaya might struggle to understand someone from Tegal. Differences between these dialects often involve pronunciation and specific vocabulary. Some dialects, like Pesisir, Banyumas, and Tengger, are considered more conservative. These versions do not use the vowel harmony found in standard dialects.

Standard Javanese is a very specific and refined way of speaking. It was developed at the royal courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. These courts were the heirs to the Mataram Sultanate. Standard Javanese serves as the basis for modern Javanese writing. A unique feature of this standard is the use of two speech levels. The first is ngoko, which is the vernacular or everyday level. The second is krama, which is a high-register level used for politeness.

This system allows speakers to show respect through their choice of words.

Javanese can be written using several different scripts. The Latin script is the most dominant form of writing today. However, the traditional Javanese script remains culturally vital. In Yogyakarta and parts of Central and East Java, students study it in school.

Another way to write the language is through the Arabic script. Historically, the Javanese script was even used to write the Madurese language.

These different writing systems reflect the complex history of the region.

The history of Javanese shows how it has traveled far from its home. It was once the court language in Palembang, South Sumatra. This changed in the late 18th century after the Dutch sacked the palace. In the 19th century, Javanese speakers moved to Suriname in South America. These people were plantation migrants brought by the Dutch. Today, about 75,000 people in Suriname speak a local variant called Suriname Javanese.

Javanese is also found in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia.

Javanese has a massive influence on the nation of Indonesia. At least 45% of the Indonesian population is of Javanese descent. All seven Indonesian presidents since 1945 have been of Javanese descent. This cultural presence has deeply shaped the development of Indonesian, the national language. In the 1980 census, Javanese was used daily in about 43% of Indonesian households. The language is also used as a literary language in Bali, Lombok, and Madura. This widespread use helps maintain its status as a powerful cultural force.

Linguists study Javanese to understand its place in the Austronesian family. It belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch. Some linguists, like Berndt Nothofer, proposed a "Malayo-Javanic" grouping. This group includes Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, and Malay. However, other scholars have challenged or rejected this specific grouping. Alexander Adelaar and Robert Blust have proposed different classifications for these related languages. Despite these academic debates, the language remains a vital link between many different Southeast Asian cultures.