The Sundanese Language and Its Linguistic Relations

Sundanese, spoken predominantly in the western part of the Indonesian island of Java, stands as the second-largest regional language in Indonesia after Javanese. With its roots deep in the archipelago, Sundanese, or Basa Sunda, possesses connections with various Austronesian languages. This article delves into the linguistic landscape surrounding Sundanese and its relations with other languages.

Austronesian Roots

The Austronesian language family is one of the world’s largest and most widespread, spanning from Taiwan in the north, across Southeast Asia, to Madagascar in the west, and throughout the Pacific. Sundanese, being part of this family, shares various traits with other Austronesian languages.

Closest Neighbors: The Western Malayo-Polynesian Languages

The Austronesian languages are generally divided into the Formosan languages of Taiwan and the Malayo-Polynesian languages. Sundanese belongs to the Western branch of the Malayo-Polynesian sub-family, which also includes many of the languages spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Madagascar.

Javanese

Geographically, the closest major language to Sundanese is Javanese. Spoken in the central and eastern parts of Java, Javanese and Sundanese, though distinct, share some vocabulary due to their geographical proximity and the historical interactions of their speakers.

Madurese

Another significant language on the neighboring island of Madura, Madurese has had interactions with both Javanese and Sundanese, resulting in shared vocabulary, especially in terms related to culture and daily life.

Malay/Indonesian

Given the historical and cultural interactions, particularly due to trade, Sundanese shares several similarities with Malay, which evolved into the Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia) after being chosen as the national language of Indonesia. While the languages are distinct, they share a number of loanwords and have influenced one another over the centuries.

A Broader Austronesian Connection

Beyond its closest neighbors, Sundanese connects with other Austronesian languages, sharing a broader set of linguistic features that trace back to the Proto-Austronesian language.

Balinese

Bali, located to the east of Java, has its native language, Balinese. As with Javanese, geographical proximity has led to some shared vocabulary between Balinese and Sundanese.

Tagalog

Further afield, languages like Tagalog, spoken in the Philippines, exhibit structural similarities with Sundanese due to their shared Austronesian ancestry. While direct mutual intelligibility is low, there are cognates and shared core vocabulary due to their common linguistic heritage.

Malagasy

Interestingly, Malagasy, spoken in Madagascar, has ties to the Austronesian family. While separated by significant distances and differences, the historical migration from Southeast Asia to Madagascar means that Malagasy shares foundational similarities with Sundanese and other languages of the region.

External Influences

The strategic location of the Sundanese-speaking region has led to interactions with speakers of non-Austronesian languages as well.

Sanskrit

Ancient Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms in Java and Sumatra have left a considerable influence on Sundanese in the form of Sanskrit loanwords, especially in the domains of art, religion, and governance.

Arabic

With the spread of Islam in the region, Arabic also left its mark on Sundanese, primarily in religious terms and concepts.

Conclusion

The Sundanese language, with its rich history and cultural backdrop, serves as a testament to the linguistic diversity and interconnectedness of the Austronesian world. From close connections with its Javanese neighbors to broader ties with distant Austronesian relatives, Sundanese showcases the intricate web of linguistic relations in the vast region of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.