Javanese Alphabet
Learning the Javanese language alphabet is a vital step in mastering Javanese, a major language spoken in Java, Indonesia. Javanese script, known as Hanacaraka or Carakan, has a unique and rich historical background. It’s also essential to know that Javanese can be written in two scripts: the traditional Javanese script and the more commonly used Latin script. Here’s a detailed lesson to guide you through both scripts of the Javanese alphabet:
Overview of the Javanese Alphabet
- Scripts: Traditional Javanese script (Hanacaraka) and Latin script.
- Number of Characters in Traditional Script: 19 basic characters, with additional characters for sounds borrowed from Arabic and Dutch.
- Use: Traditional script for cultural and artistic purposes, Latin script for everyday use.
Latin Script for Javanese
The Latin script is used more commonly in modern contexts, especially online and in educational materials.
A, a
- Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “father.”
- Example: “anak” – means “child”
B, b
- Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bed.”
- Example: “buku” – means “book”
C, c
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “church.”
- Example: “catur” – means “chess”
D, d
- Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
- Example: “dunia” – means “world”
E, e
- Pronunciation: Can vary: like ‘e’ in “bed” or like ‘ay’ in “say.”
- Example: “enak” – means “delicious”
É, é
- Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “cafe.”
- Example: “téh” – means “tea”
È, è
- Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “bed.”
- Example: “bèn” – means “let”
F, f
- Pronunciation: Like ‘f’ in “far.”
- Example: “foto” – means “photo”
G, g
- Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “go.”
- Example: “guru” – means “teacher”
H, h
- Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
- Example: “harapan” – means “hope”
I, i
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ee’ in “see.”
- Example: “ibu” – means “mother”
J, j
- Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jump.”
- Example: “jalan” – means “street”
K, k
- Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
- Example: “kaki” – means “foot” or “leg”
L, l
- Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “lamp.”
- Example: “lari” – means “run”
M, m
- Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “moon.”
- Example: “makan” – means “eat”
N, n
- Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “noon.”
- Example: “nasi” – means “rice”
Ng, ng
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ng’ in “singer.”
- Example: “banyu” – means “water”
Ny, ny
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ñ’ in Spanish “niño.”
- Example: “nyanyi” – means “sing”
O, o
- Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “or.”
- Example: “omah” – means “house”
P, p
- Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pan.”
- Example: “pulau” – means “island”
R, r
- Pronunciation: Rolled ‘r’ as in Spanish.
- Example: “rona” – means “color”
S, s
- Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
- Example: “sasi” – means “month”
T, t
- Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “top.”
- Example: “tuku” – means “buy”
U, u
- Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “food.”
- Example: “urip” – means “life”
W, w
- Pronunciation: Like ‘w’ in “water.”
- Example: “wong” – means “person”
Y, y
- Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
- Example: “yakin” – means “sure”
The Traditional Javanese Script (Hanacaraka)
The traditional script is an abugida where consonants have an inherent ‘a’ sound that can be changed or muted by diacritics.
ꦲ (Ha)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ha’ in “hall.”
- Example: ꦲꦸꦫ (hur) – “letter”
ꦤ (Na)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘no’ in “not.”
- Example: ꦤꦫꦶ (nari) – “to dance”
ꦕ (Ca)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ca’ in “car.”
- Example: ꦕꦩꦶ (cami) – “we”
ꦫ (Ra)
- Pronunciation: Like the word ‘raw.’
- Example: ꦫꦩ (rama) – “father”
ꦏ (Ka)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ka’ in “karma.”
- Example: ꦏꦶꦫꦠ (kirat) – “sparrow”
ꦢ (Da)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘da’ in “dart.”
- Example: ꦢꦺꦴꦫꦶꦏ꧀ (derik) – “to tremble”
ꦠ (Ta)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ta’ in “tar.”
- Example: ꦠꦼꦭꦶꦏ꧀ (telik) – “to spy”
ꦱ (Sa)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘sa’ in “salsa.”
- Example: ꦱꦺꦴꦭꦸꦃ (serut) – “to scrape”
ꦮ (Wa)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘wa’ in “watt.”
- Example: ꦮꦁ (wang) – “money”
ꦭ (La)
- Pronunciation: Like the word ‘law.’
- Example: ꦭꦼꦢ꧀ (ledh) – “leak”
ꦥ (Pa)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘pa’ in “par.”
- Example: ꦥꦸꦫꦶ (puri) – “palace”
ꦝ (Dha)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘dha’ in “guildhall.”
- Example: ꦝꦶꦁꦱꦶ (dhingkluk) – “hanging loose”
ꦚ (Ja)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ja’ in “jar.”
- Example: ꦚꦩꦺꦴꦤ꧀ (jamun) – “to gather”
ꦪ (Ya)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ya’ in “yard.”
- Example: ꦪꦺꦴꦁ (yuyu) – “crab”
ꦔ (Nya)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘nya’ in “barnyard.”
- Example: ꦔꦤ꧀ꦠꦸ (nyantu) – “to participate”
ꦒ (Ga)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ga’ in “garden.”
- Example: ꦒꦺꦴꦁ (geg) – “crack”
ꦧ (Ba)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘ba’ in “bar.”
- Example: ꦧꦠꦼꦁꦱꦶ (batré) – “battery”
ꦕ (Tha)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘tha’ in “Thailand.”
- Example: ꦕꦶꦏ꧀ꦱꦁ (thikas) – “thorn”
ꦛ (Nga)
- Pronunciation: Like ‘nga’ in “singalong.”
- Example: ꦛꦔꦺ (ngaji) – “to study (Islamic texts)”
Pronunciation Tips
- Vowel Sounds: Vowels in Javanese can be short or long, which can change the meaning of words.
- Consonant Endings: In traditional script, consonants have an inherent ‘a’ sound unless followed by a diacritic.
- Diacritics: Diacritics are used to change the inherent vowel sound of a consonant or to mute the vowel.
Practice Exercises
- Listening and Speaking: Practice saying words and phrases in both scripts. Listening to native speakers is crucial.
- Writing Practice: Practice writing both traditional and Latin scripts.
- Reading Practice: Start with simple texts, like folk tales or news articles, in both scripts.
Additional Resources
- Language Learning Apps: Apps for Javanese language learning may offer lessons in both scripts.
- Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels may provide lessons in Javanese.
- Language Exchange: Engage with native speakers for conversational practice.
Conclusion
Mastering both the traditional and Latin scripts of the Javanese alphabet is essential for a deep understanding of the language and culture. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing is vital for effective learning. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)