Know the frequently used West Javanese vernacular
The vernacular language of West Java has very unique features, which is interesting to learn. Although you do not know the language used by the people of West Java, of course you are familiar with its unique pronunciation, for example listening to celebrities from West Java or you have Suntanese friends.
As far as we ordinary people are concerned, it should be very interesting to display the language or pronunciation of West Java. Basically, each region has different linguistic features, whether it is central Java, Maluku, East Java, and Sumatra. We will also discuss the language from West Java as well.
By only listening to the pronunciation, we must have guessed whether it is a language from West Java or not. However, if we do not know or do not understand the language of West Java, it is difficult for us to know the meaning of what is being said. That is why West Java seems interesting to learn .
In this article, we discuss not only the languages often used by people in West Java, but also language variations, history, language diffusion, and language writing systems to the West Javanese language, which is certainly very interesting to study.
Regional languages spoken
Sundanese is the most commonly found tribe in West Java, so it is not surprising that the most commonly spoken local language is Sundanese. However, there are other languages spoken by the inhabitants of West Java, such as Sirebon for people in the Regency or the city of Syrebon.
The Syrebon language is almost identical to the Banyumasan language, using only the very specialized Brebes language. These two regional languages of West Java , namely Suntanese and Sirebon, are the most widely spoken languages in everyday life, in areas such as Sirebon and Priyangan.
Compared to Sirebon, people in West Java speak Sundanese more widely. One reason is because the Suntanese culture is very much connected and spread to different regions of West Java. It is inseparable from the history of the ancient Mataram Empire, which conquered Western Java.
That’s why in this review we’re discussing more Suntanese language because it’s increasingly used by people in West Java. You’ll find a variety of interesting facts about the Suntanese language, and you’ll better understand what you need to know about the West Javanese language.
Variations in The Sundanese
In general, the Sundanese language has a wide variety of variations, ranging from the Sundanese-Middle Javanese language to the Sundanese-Banten dialect with different characteristics. In addition to these two dialects, they would have thought that there are still some dialects that we often encounter in the midst of Suntanese culture in everyday life.
Many experts divide the Sundanese language into 6 different dialects: Western language, northern dialect, southern dialect, eastern middle language, northeastern language, and southeastern dialect. Each dialect has a different style, and the regions in which it is used are also different depending on the mix of languages.
For example, the vernacular language of West Java , with the exception of southern Tangerang, the city of Tangerang, and the Tangerang Regency, is a Western language commonly used by people in the Pandeglang and Lebak regions. In contrast to the southeastern language often spoken by the inhabitants of Banjar, Silacap, Pangandaran, and Siamis in the western part of banyumas.
Prior to the existence of the Sundanese language as it is today, there was an old Sundanese language that is often found in some written records, such as those found on dry leaf sheets and stones. So far, it is not known how the old Sundanese language became the modern Sundanese language.
The history and spread of the Sundanese language
In addition to knowing the variations of the Suntanese language, it is also interesting to discuss the history and spread of the Sundanese language in West Java. Sundanese or precisely Pasundan or Tatar Sunda (formerly known as West Java) is a language spoken by people to the west of the island of Java.
In fact, this West Javanese language speaks in the western part of Central Java, such as the CI Lacap and The Brebes regions, because these two regions were once part of the Galuh Empire. It is not surprising that there are many local names that look like Sundanese in Silacap, such as the Dauhluhar district.
According to history, in the 6th century the Sundanese language reached its narrative territory as far as the Deung Plateau in central Java. The name Deung is derived from the Sundanese language Dihyang, which means the old Sundanese language. It was only after that that the migration and migration of suntanese descent to various regions outside Java took place.
Some areas that are destinations of Suntanese ethnicity, including western Kalimantan, south Sumatra, southeast Sulawesi, Riau, Lampung, and Jambi. In addition, there are many other areas visited by people of Sundanese descent, but some of the areas already mentioned are important areas.
Sundanese Writing System
In the Sundanese writing system, you can know the Sundanese script, the Sundanese alphabet, the Kakarakan and the Sundanese Pegon alphabet. In the past, the Sundanese language was written using the Sundanese script as a Brahmi family script derived from the Pallava script through the Kavi script. You can see evidence of this writing from the inscription.
On November 3, 1705, the ancient Sundanese script and the Syrebon Rikasara began to become extinct after the VOC issued its ultimatum. At that time, javanese and sundanese were only allowed to write with the pegon alphabet, the Latin script, and the Latin alphabet, and then the Latin alphabet was intensified to transcribe the Sundanese works.
In addition, the writing of the West Javanese or Sundanese language is associated with Kakarakan as a Javanese script for writing the Sundanese language at the time. This script was already used after the VOC ultimatum came out. So far, the Chakarakan script has been in use for more than 300 years and is still maintained today.
The Pegon Sundanese alphabet is also the script used to write the ancient Sundanese language. The composition of the Pegon alphabet consists of standard Arabic letters and new designs. Although some contain ordinary Arabic characters, Arabs cannot understand them unless they are proficient in the Sundanese language.
Undak-Usuk Sundanese
In the 17th century, the West Java region was under the rule of the Mataram kingdom, so the Javanese language also influenced the use of the Suntanese language in West Java. This is what creates the existence of Undak-Uzuk Basa in the vernacular of West Java. So, what does this foundation mean?
The use of the Sundanese language should be adjusted to the social level, which is called undak-usuk basa. As a result of the basics, a number of terms appear that need to be understood, namely rough, medium lems, very rough (kohag or rough pisan), and very good (noble or pisan lemmas).
Subtle language is commonly used when interacting with newly recognized people, parents, officials, or public figures. At the same time, abusive language is commonly used when you talk to peers or close friends, so it seems more familiar if you use harsh language.
The Sundanese language has its own peculiarity, which makes anyone interested in learning it. Especially with the common language that makes the Sundanese language more pleasurable to hearing. For more details, you need to learn more about the West Javanese language.