What is the Balinese Language?
Some people who don’t have a clue that there are over 300 local languages spoken in Indonesia come and ask questions: “Should I learn Bahasa Indonesia or Bahasa Bali? first”. Well, before we answer the question, let’s get to know more about Bahasa Bali and its language users.
Is Balinese and Indonesian are the same language?
No. Balinese or known locally as Basa Bali is the language spoken by the people of Bali island, included in Malayo-polynesian language family. Meanwhile, Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia), despite of also being part of the Malayo-Polynesian language family, is the language of unity of the Indonesian people, spoken in the whole archipelago continuously adopting words and accents from its local users. The current Balinese language is rooted in old Balinese, which share similar characteristics to the old Javanese language.
Where is the Balinese language spoken?
The Balinese language is spoken mainly among its people in the island of Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok, and a few part of Java Island where Balinese community resides. Currently, the development of Balinese language draws attention from foreign language practitioners, inviting more and more people to learn the language and culture.
What are the traits of the Balinese language?
The Balinese language can be found written in roman alphabets (like what we have in English and Indonesian) or in Balinese script. Words in the Balinese language cannot be broken down or spelled in letters, but in syllables. One syllable is symbolized with one Balinese character and there is a way to change the sounds by adding certain character to the basic characters. The vocabulary of the Balinese language are almost similar to Javanese, though the Balinese has its locally used lexicons as well. In modern time, vocabulary of the Balinese language expands through adaptation adoption of modern terms or words taken from Bahasa Indonesia.
Which one should I learn first, Indonesian or the Balinese?
It’s always helpful to have good base in Bahasa Indonesia first before learning Basa Bali. There are a few reasons for it:
- Many of modern terms adapted and adopted from Bahasa Indonesia to the Balinese language. Recognizing these words in Bahasa Indonesia will surely help you a lot with your learning progress.
- 80% of the Balinese language structures are similar to Bahasa Indonesia
- Bahasa Indonesia is used and spoken in broader area in the country and is the official language used in official issues.
Apart from the above reasons, it is undoubtedly useful and interesting for you to study Basa Bali while living in the island of Bali or if you have close connection to the Balinese root (Balinese family and culture, for example) as it will allow you to get more access to the life and culture of the Balinese people.