Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
📖

Madurese language

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Madurese is a significant language spoken by the Madurese people. It is native to Madura Island and the eastern part of Java, Indonesia.

Dialek bahasa Madura
Dialek bahasa Madura

Many migrants have carried the language to other areas. These include Surabaya, Malang, and various regencies in the eastern salient of Java. It is also spoken in the Masalembu and Raas Islands, and parts of Kalimantan. Some descendants of the Bawean people speak the Bawean dialect in Malaysia and Singapore. Estimates suggest there are between 10 and 14 million speakers. This makes it one of the most widely spoken languages in Indonesia.

Linguistically, Madurese belongs to the Malayo-Sumbawan language group. This group is a branch of the larger Austronesian language family.

Dialek bahasa Madura
Dialek bahasa Madura

Interestingly, Madurese is more closely related to languages like Balinese, Malay, Sasak, and Sundanese. It is less related to Javanese, despite being spoken near the island of Java. The connection to Bali-Sasak languages is most evident in the vernacular or common forms of speech. This classification helps researchers understand how different cultures in the region are connected through history.

The way Madurese is written has changed over time. Traditionally, it was written using the Javanese script, also known as Carakan.

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

Today, the Latin script, called Alfabet Latèn, is the most common method. The Pegon script, which is based on Arabic characters, is also used. The modern orthography uses specific letters for vowels and consonants. For example, the letters f, q, v, x, and z are used specifically for loanwords. The language also uses an apostrophe to represent a glottal stop, which is a distinct sound from the velar /k/.

Madurese phonology, or the study of its sounds, is quite complex. It features many different vowels and consonants. The vowels are categorized by where they are produced in the mouth, such as front, central, or back. Some vowels exist in complementary distribution. This means certain vowels appear only in specific environments. For instance, four specific vowels occur after voiced and aspirated consonants. The first four vowels occur in other positions.

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

Consonants also play a vital role in meaning. Madurese has more consonants than its neighbors because it distinguishes between voiceless unaspirated, voiceless aspirated, and voiced unaspirated sounds. It also maintains a contrast between dental and alveolar or retroflex stops.

Specific consonant combinations and diphthongs add to the language's texture. There are five letter combinations used: kh, ng, ny, sy, and th. Additionally, there are five aspirated consonants that are distinct from unaspirated ones. For example, the word bârâ means swelling, while bhârâ means lungs. These small sound differences change the entire meaning of a word. The language also uses three diphthongs, which are sounds made by combining two vowels: ay, oy, and uy. These sounds are found in words like tapay or loyloy.

Social structure is reflected in the language through three distinct speech levels or registers. These levels allow speakers to show respect based on who they are talking to. The first level is Èngghi-Bhunten. This is the most polite and refined form. It is used for parents, elders, teachers, and community leaders. The second level is Èngghi-Enten. This is used for everyday social situations among peers. The third level is Enjâ'-Iyâ. This is a familiar form used with friends or younger people.

Dialek bahasa Madura
Dialek bahasa Madura

Speakers often ask permission before switching to the more familiar Enjâ'-Iyâ form.

Because the language is spread across many islands, many dialects exist. The Sumenep dialect serves as the standard form of Madurese. This is because Sumenep was historically the center of Madurese kingdom and culture. Other major dialects include Bangkalan, Sampang, and Pamekasan. In the eastern salient of Java, the Pendalungan dialect is common. This dialect often mixes Madurese with the Javanese language.

Dialek bahasa Madura
Dialek bahasa Madura

In these areas, many people are masters of both Madurese and Javanese. This linguistic diversity shows how the Madurese people have moved and interacted with other groups over time.

647 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (2)
File:Raden Segara (Madurese in Javanese script-published in 1890) (cropped).jpg
Raden Segara (Madurese in Javanese...
File:Dialek bahasa Madura.png
Dialek bahasa Madura.png
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.