The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held the graduation ceremony for undergraduate and applied undergraduate programs for Period III of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. In this period, the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture graduated 11 students. In his remarks, the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Hum., stated that the majority of students with the highest grade point averages (GPA) came from the Arabic Literature Program. Nevertheless, there was one female student from the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture who succeeded in achieving the highest GPA at this graduation ceremony. The student was Novia Hikmatul Mubarokah with a GPA of 3.91. This achievement became a source of pride as well as an inspiration for students, especially within the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture.

On May 26, 2026, an online interview was conducted with Novia regarding her academic journey. In achieving the high GPA, Novia revealed that she always tried to actively learn from various sources. “Learning is not merely from textbooks, but from various sources. In addition, exchanging ideas with friends from different academic years, lecturers, and even people outside the study program is also necessary to broaden our insights,” she explained. According to her, such a learning method makes the learning process feel not merely like an obligation, but rather a space to grow and develop.

Not only active in academics, Novia was also involved in various organizational activities and part-time work. She admitted to being active in several student organizations and working at Arnawa journal publishing as an editorial staff member. “I am also active in various organizations and work part-time at Arnawa journal publishing as an editorial staff member,” she said.

Behind her academic achievement, Novia also faced various challenges during her years of study. She stated that the first and fourth semesters were the most difficult periods in her studies.  “The first semester was a time for me to adapt, especially because my background was not closely related to exposure to Javanese cultural knowledge. This was what motivated me to put in extra effort. Then, the fourth semester or second year became a busy year with a denser class schedule, because there were compulsory university courses and I also became part of the Daily Executive Board of the Student Association of the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture (HMJ Kamastawa),” she explained. However, from the various challenges, Novia felt that her time management skills became increasingly well honed.

In her undergraduate studies, Novia took a concentration in philology, a field of study that examines the language, culture, and history of a nation through ancient manuscripts. Interestingly, she chose a privately owned or non-institutional manuscript collection as the object of her research, rather than collections from libraries or certain institutions. “I chose the Layang Ambiya manuscript from a non-institutional collection as my research object. This is interesting because of the massive ‘Ambiya’ corpus in Javanese literature, while research on the manuscript is still limited. The stories contained in the Ambiya manuscript are very interesting to study further because they are rich in insights into Islam according to the Javanese people of that time,” she revealed.

When asked about her feelings after successfully achieving the highest GPA, Novia admitted that she felt proud and grateful for the results she obtained. For her, the achievement could not be separated from her family’s support. “My greatest motivation is to make my family proud because they have trusted me to pursue education away from home. Even though I have achieved the best result, there is still a feeling that I should not be easily satisfied because there will be many things that need to be learned,” she said. According to her, GPA is only one provision for moving on to the next stage of life.

At the end of the interview, Novia also conveyed a message for students of the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture to continue enjoying the process during their studies. She also emphasized the importance of not hesitating to ask for help when experiencing difficulties. “Consult your academic advisor and/or thesis supervisor if you feel you need a discussion partner. Besides that, do not hesitate to ask your friends for help. They will be very helpful,” was her message.

In particular, Novia also gave a message to students pursuing the field of philology, especially those researching non-institutional manuscript collections. “In my opinion, when conducting research on manuscripts from non-institutional collections, we need to ask the owners a lot about their knowledge of the manuscript, not merely ask for permission to conduct research. This is to understand the role of the manuscript in the life of the community. Such efforts are important to preserve the values contained in the manuscript text,” she added.

Novia Hikmatul Mubarokah’s journey during her studies in the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture shows that every process has its own challenges and stories. Amid academic activities, organizations, and part-time work, she continued trying to carry out everything diligently and enthusiastically. The highest GPA she achieved was not merely a number, but the result of a long process, the support of those closest to her, and the willingness to keep learning. It is hoped that Novia’s story can become an encouragement for other students to continue trusting the process they are going through and not be afraid to keep developing.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the Yogyakarta City Culture Office, organized an activity entitled Setu Sinau on Saturday (16/05/2026). The activity took place along the Malioboro corridor from 07.00–09.00 WIB as an effort to reintroduce Javanese script to the wider community, particularly the younger generation.

The selection of the Malioboro area as the location of the activity was not without reason. As one of the most iconic public spaces in Yogyakarta, Malioboro serves as a strategic place to present cultural learning directly within society. Its open and lively atmosphere enabled the activity to reach participants from various backgrounds, ranging from children to adults.

The implementation of Setu Sinau was motivated by the growing distance between the younger generation and Javanese script due to the currents of globalization and modernization. Through this activity, Javanese script was introduced not only as a cultural heritage, but also as part of an identity that needs to be preserved and passed on. The collaboration with the Yogyakarta City Culture Office became a tangible form of synergy between educational institutions and the government in supporting the implementation of the Yogyakarta Special Region Regulation related to the preservation of Javanese language, literature, and script.

The activity featured two lecturers from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program as instructors, namely Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum. and Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A., who specialize in the field of philology. In addition, students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program also served as facilitators, namely Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’, Bayu Seta Ardiansyah, Dian Patmisari, and Maysa Putri Fatihah.

The learning process was designed in an enjoyable and interactive manner. Participants were invited to learn Javanese script through media such as flashcards, educational posters, as well as direct practice in writing and pronouncing Javanese script. This approach enabled participants not only to understand the theory, but also to experience the learning process directly through simple practice.

The learning method applied was aligned with the value contained in pupuh Pocung stanza 33 by KGPAA Sri Mangkunegara IV, namely ngelmu iku kalakone kanthi laku, which means “knowledge is realized through action.” Through direct practice, participants were encouraged to understand that learning culture is not sufficient merely by knowing it, but also needs to be practiced and habituated in everyday life.

The implementation of Setu Sinau was also in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly point 4 on quality education, point 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and point 17 regarding partnerships for achieving the goals. By presenting cultural learning in a public space, this activity became a small yet meaningful step in preserving the continuity of Javanese script amid the development of the times.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

The Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program (HMJ Kamastawa) organized a Sowan Kadang (friendly inter-campus visit) to the Javanese Language and Literature Education and Javanese Literature study programs at Semarang State University (UNNES) on Monday, (4/27/2026). The event was attended by 57 students and three lecturers from the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, as part of an effort to strengthen relationships among students and lecturers from both universities.

The Sowan Kadang event was held to foster closer ties between the lecturers and students of the UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program and their counterparts in the Javanese Language and Literature Education and Javanese Literature study programs at UNNES. Additionally, the event aimed to broaden students' academic insights and experiences through visits and discussion forums. Participants included students from the UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program (classes of 2024 and 2025) and students from the UNNES Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Program.

The event began with the participants' departure from FIB UGM at 06:00 WIB following a brief orientation. Upon arrival at UNNES, the Sowan Kadang activities took place from 09:00 to 14:00 WIB. During the session, each student association introduced its organization and the various work programs they had implemented. The discussion was characterized by a warm atmosphere during the introductions and experience-sharing sessions, serving as a platform for mutual acquaintance and the strengthening of ties between the two institutions.

Afterwards, the UGM and UNNES groups visited the Semarang Old Town Museum area from 14:00 to 15:30 WIB. The program continued with free time to enjoy the Old Town district before the UGM participants departed for Yogyakarta at 17:00 WIB.

This comparative study visit aims to foster a closer and more productive relationship between the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM and the Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Program at UNNES. In addition to broadening students' academic horizons, the activity serves as a form of collaboration to strengthen student networks and support joint efforts to safeguard, preserve, and develop Javanese cultural heritage within the higher education environment.

On Friday (04/24/2026), the Balai Bahasa Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada signed a cooperation agreement concerning the synergy of language and literature development, cultivation, and preservation through the strategic role of higher education institutions. This activity formed part of an effort to strengthen collaboration between language institutions and academic institutions in maintaining the sustainability of language and literature amid the dynamics of globalization.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., as the Head of the Yogyakarta Language Office and Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. as the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Through this partnership, both parties committed to developing various collaborative programs in the fields of education, language development, and academic advancement, including student internships, language competency enhancement, regional language preservation, academic activities, and the development of the Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa as well as heads of language offices from several provinces, including Banten, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. The presence of these stakeholders reflected the importance of cross-regional synergy in strengthening both language policies and the implementation of national language programs.

In his remarks, Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., emphasized that the Language Office’s attention is directed not only toward the status of the Indonesian language, but also toward the sustainability of regional languages. According to him, the preservation of regional languages is one of the major tasks that urgently needs to be strengthened.

“Indonesia possesses extraordinary linguistic diversity. However, the current condition is certainly far from ideal. Our younger generation seems to be increasingly unfamiliar with regional languages and finds it difficult to use them.”

He further explained that the Language Office would strengthen regional language preservation efforts through several measures, such as improving teachers’ competencies and the quality of regional language instruction, adjusting educational curricula, and empowering local communities. In this context, the cooperation between the Yogyakarta Language Office and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences serves as one concrete step in supporting these efforts.

Through this collaboration, it is hoped that an ecosystem supporting the strengthening of Indonesian and regional linguistic and literary identities can be established, while also encouraging innovation in linguistic studies and practices relevant to contemporary societal needs. One concrete initiative that has already been implemented is the development of a Javanese language corpus organized by the Yogyakarta Language Office with the involvement of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, FIB UGM.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, Selasa, 22 April 2026 — Program Studi Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya Jawa, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Gadjah Mada, menyelenggarakan kegiatan sosialisasi fon aksara Jawa di ruang Margono 402. Kegiatan ini ditujukan bagi perwakilan dosen dan mahasiswa sebagai upaya meningkatkan pemahaman penggunaan aksara Jawa dalam ranah digital.

Sosialisasi ini dilatarbelakangi oleh berbagai kendala yang selama ini dihadapi civitas academica dalam penggunaan fon aksara Jawa. Sejumlah permasalahan yang kerap muncul antara lain perbedaan tata letak papan tombol dengan sistem huruf Latin, ketidakterbacaan fon pada perangkat tertentu yang ditandai dengan kemunculan simbol tofu atau kotak (tanda tidak terbaca), hingga perbedaan kompatibilitas antara sistem papan tombol atau keyboard layout seperti Windows dan Macintosh. Kondisi tersebut dinilai menghambat penggunaan aksara Jawa, padahal aksara ini menjadi bagian penting dalam kajian serta preservasi budaya di lingkungan program studi.

Untuk menjawab persoalan tersebut, kegiatan ini menghadirkan Setya Amrih Prasaja, S.S., M.Pd., alumni Program Studi Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya Jawa, yang dikenal sebagai pengembang fon aksara Jawa digital. Selain itu, kegiatan ini juga dihadiri oleh perwakilan Dinas Kebudayaan (Kundha Kabudayan) Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta sebagai bentuk dukungan terhadap upaya pelestarian budaya melalui teknologi.

Dalam pemaparannya, narasumber menjelaskan proses pengembangan fon dan keyboard layout aksara Jawa, termasuk tantangan teknis yang dihadapi dalam penerapannya di berbagai platform. Ia juga menguraikan langkah-langkah pengenalan aksara Jawa digital di tingkat nasional maupun internasional, serta pengembangan sistem yang dapat dioperasikan pada berbagai perangkat. Tidak hanya itu, peserta juga diperkenalkan pada sejumlah fon aksara Jawa yang dapat diakses secara bebas tanpa kendala lisensi.

Melalui kegiatan ini, peserta diharapkan memperoleh pemahaman yang lebih komprehensif mengenai penggunaan papan tombol dan fon aksara Jawa dalam konteks digital. Lebih lanjut, sosialisasi ini diharapkan dapat mendorong penyebarluasan pengetahuan kepada civitas academica dan khalayak yang lebih luas, sebagai bagian dari upaya pelestarian sekaligus penguatan eksistensi aksara Jawa di era digital.

Penulis           : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

On Tuesday (April 21, 2026), ten students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in an activity entitled “Developed Language Corpus” organized by the Language Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province. The activity took place from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm WIB in the Pandawa 2 Room at Swiss-Belboutique Yogyakarta. The ten students were Andini Nuraini, Arfia Kholifatul Ummamah, Bernadetta Rahayunin Tyas, David Sofyan Wilaynto, Diyah Pitaloka, Inoora Putri Haliza, Marseli Dwitanti, Maysa Putri Fatihah, Pingky Putri Khairani, and Wreksi Awinanggya Pinandhita.

During the activity, participants gained knowledge about corpus development and utilization, corpus-based preservation of the Javanese language, as well as techniques for collecting and processing corpus data. Based on an online interview with Maysa Putri Fatihah, one of the participants, on April 27, 2026, the initial meeting focused on technical explanations and task distribution. The next stage involved the collection of initial Javanese corpus data over a period of 20 days, followed by data processing activities such as cleaning and editing, which lasted approximately one month. These initial stages were carried out by the participants, who were referred to in the program as field assistants. Meanwhile, the subsequent stages, such as coding, metadata input, and finalization, were managed by the Yogyakarta Language Office.

In its development process, the corpus tool used was AntConc. Javanese language data were collected from various written sources, including old manuscripts, books, book chapters, articles, academic works, mass media, newspaper reports, social media, blogs, literary works, folktales, letters, and speeches. All texts then underwent an editing process before being entered into the system as corpus material.

According to Maysa, she was pleased to be part of the program. “I am very grateful to be able to learn something new, especially the technical aspects of corpus data processing, which were practiced directly. Previously, I had attended a public lecture on Javanese manuscript corpora, but it was only theoretical,” she explained.

The development of a Javanese language corpus is considered a strategic step in reserving and preserving Javanese as part of Indonesia’s regional linguistic heritage. Beyond preservation, this corpus also opens opportunities for use in the field of digital humanities, such as linguistic research, the development of teaching materials, and the design of data-driven curricula. This program also reflects collaboration between government institutions and educational institutions in fostering linguistic innovation that remains relevant to contemporary developments.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

Typing Javanese script on digital devices is often not as easy as imagined. Instead of displaying the expected letters, the screen often displays a row of blank squares or tofu, a sign that the font is not legible. This problem is not isolated. In addition to font limitations, the differences in typing systems between the Latin alphabet and Javanese script also make it difficult for users to adapt. Furthermore, keyboard layouts vary across operating systems, from Windows to Macintosh to Android. This directly complicates the use and preservation of Javanese script, especially in the digital realm.

A number of Javanese script fonts are already available and can be used freely, such as NyK Ngayogyan and NyK Ngayogyan Jejeg, developed by the Yogyakarta Special Region Cultural Office. However, the problems don't stop at visual appearance. Without a uniform keyboard system, users continue to face obstacles in their daily typing practices.

This situation prompted the development of a Javanese script keyboard system based on the Indonesian script keyboard (SNI 9048). This system was designed with reference to the Serat Wulangreh manuscript as a cultural basis, while also being adapted to the needs of use on various digital devices. Through this standardization, it is hoped that uniformity in typing Javanese script will be achieved, eliminating the need for users to adapt to different systems.

This keyboard system is now available for various devices and is freely accessible to the public. Users can download and install it according to their operating system, whether Windows, Macintosh, or Android. The Javanese script keyboard system can be downloaded from https://wongsayuk.webnode.page/my-work/ or https://wongsaayuk.webnode.page by selecting the download menu. On the page, there is a "Javanese Aksara Keyboard" section, then select the SNI Nataksara system in various formats depending on the device: .exe file for Windows, .dmg file for Macintosh, and .apk file for Android.

After downloading and installing, users are advised to restart their device if the system is not immediately usable. An installation guide (pitoedoeh) is also provided to facilitate the installation process and ensure optimal system use.

Once the system is installed, understanding the keyboard layout is the next important step. Users need to understand the differences between the SNI 9048-based system and the device's native system, particularly on Windows devices. These differences can be seen in the image below.

Javanese script keyboard version SNI 9048
Downloaded from Javanese script keyboard version SNI 9048, by S.A. Prasaja, n.t. wongsayuk (https://wongsayuk.webnode.page/my-work/).

Javanese script keyboard version Windows
Downloaded from Javanese script keyboard version Windows, by S.A. Prasaja, n.t. wongsayuk (https://wongsayuk.webnode.page/my-work/).

The implementation of this standardized keyboard system is a crucial step in addressing the various technical challenges users have faced. Furthermore, the presence of Javanese script in the digital space serves not only as a visual element but also as part of efforts to maintain cultural continuity amidst technological advancements.

Ultimately, preserving Javanese script is not simply a matter of maintaining it; it also requires the courage to develop and adapt it to the times. Continuous support from various parties is key to ensuring that Javanese script not only remains alive but also remains present and empowered within the ever-changing digital ecosystem.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

Bibliography

Prasaja, S.A. (t.t.) Papan Tombol Aksara Djawa Versi SNI 9048. Wongsayuk. https://wongsayuk.webnode.page/my-work/

Prasaja, S.A. (t.t.) Papan Tombol Aksara Djawa Versi Windows. Wongsayuk. https://wongsayuk.webnode.page/my-work/

On Saturday (4/4/2026), the Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association, or Kamastawa Student Association, held its first meeting, or inaugural meeting, of the Sahacitta Cabinet in the Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building. This event served as a means of building camaraderie among the board members and introducing the organizational structure and work program plans for the next term.

The event began at 7:30 a.m. WIB with an opening reception, followed by a serving of cokekan (rice cake) to open the atmosphere. In addition to all board members and students, the event was also attended by lecturers from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, as a token of support for student activities.

The event was then officially opened by various Executive Chairs and the Chair of Kamastawa Student Association 2026. On this occasion, the advisor of Kamastawa Student Association, Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.IP., M.A., also delivered various keynotes and symbolically inaugurated the Sahacitta Cabinet.

Entering the main session, the board introduced the Sahacitta Cabinet by explaining the philosophy of the name, visual identity, and direction of the organization. Etymologically, "Sahacitta" comes from the Sanskrit words "saha," meaning "together," and "citta," meaning "feeling." This naming reflects the spirit of togetherness and a unified consciousness to achieve the organization's goals.

The event continued with an explanation of the division structure and the board members who will implement the work program for the period. Each division explained its function and focus as part of the organization's development efforts, as well as its contribution to the preservation and development of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

The event concluded with a joint documentation session marking the beginning of the Sahacitta Cabinet administration. Through this activity, it is hoped that all board members can work synergistically to strengthen the organization's role, both in the academic environment and in the wider community.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

On Tuesday (March 3, 2026), the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held an Open Senate Meeting to commemorate its 80th Anniversary. Amidst the solemn celebration, the "Outstanding Student of the 2026 Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program" award was presented to selected individuals, one of whom was Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program.

Ghibran's selection as an Outstanding Student was not without reason. Ghibran is known as a student who is actively involved in Javanese culture. Some of his achievements include third place in the Nusantara Cultural Gathering Storytelling Competition, second place in the Youth Ceremony Competition for the Bantul Regency Language and Literature Competition in 2025, and being selected as a finalist for the 2025 Dimas Diajeng Yogyakarta City Competition.

Besides competitions, Ghibran is also active in various other activities. He was involved as an actor in the play "Adisari Cahaya Kasih di Balik Penaklukkan," served as Master of Ceremonies (MC) at the Closing Ceremony of Wonderful Indonesia Wellness, and even served as a storyteller in the Dimas Diajeng Yogyakarta Field Program in Sleman Tourism Village.

However, behind these successes, Ghibran revealed that his journey has been a long process. In an online interview on Friday (April 24, 2026), he shared that his drive to achieve has been growing since elementary school.

"My motivation started with something simple and perhaps funny. Since elementary school, I wanted to earn extra pocket money because our family was financially poor at the time," Ghibran said. He recalls a time when his pocket money was only Rp 2,000 in fourth grade. At that time, his mother challenged him to keep his allowance. From there, she encouraged him to pursue competitions with prizes.

His first victory in the Bantul Regency-wide Ngudar Kawruh Tembang competition was a turning point. From then on, Ghibran realized that achievement wasn't just about money, but also a path to success. His achievements earned him admission to junior high school through the achievement pathway and even opportunities to appear on national media outlets like TVRI.

Entering his studies at UGM, Ghibran set out to make a real contribution to his alma mater. "I may not have been the most outstanding student academically, but I always tried to give the university a 'souvenir' in the form of a trophy," he said. Ultimately, he earned the opportunity to recite poetry before the Indonesian Minister of Education in 2024.

For him, the title of Outstanding Student is not just an award. He feels gratitude, but also a sense of responsibility. This motivates him to continue working hard. "My plans for the future: I want to graduate on time, but still actively participate in competitions. I want to continue being a useful person," he explained.

He also shared the key to his consistency. Since childhood, he has been writing down his goals on a piece of paper and sticking it on his bedroom wall. "Never be ashamed to dream big. For me, dreaming is the first step to achievement. Through hard work and prayer, each dream becomes a reality," he concluded. He also emphasized the importance of gratitude in every step of the process, both during victories and facing failures.

Author            : Haryo Untoro
Editor             : Haryo Untoro

Javanese has often been associated with the regions of Yogyakarta and Surakarta, which are known as the centers of Javanese culture. In addition, people are also familiar with the straightforward East Javanese dialect or the Banyumasan dialect, which is often considered unique by other Javanese speakers. However, not many people realize that Javanese is also alive and thriving outside these main areas, namely in Banten Province, at the western tip of Java Island. In this region, a language variation known as the Banten dialect of Javanese has developed.

In his classification of Javanese dialects, Ras (1994) divides Javanese into three major groups, namely the western, central, and eastern Javanese dialects. The Banten Javanese dialect (BJDB) belongs to the western Javanese dialect group and is often referred to as Serang Javanese or Jaseng, because most of its speakers are located in the city of Serang and Serang Regency (Rohbiah & Mu'awwanah, 2021).

There are several sources that mention different areas of BJDB usage. Research by Danasasmita and Pronggodigdo states that this dialect is used in the former Banten Residency, which includes the regencies of Serang, Pandeglang, and Lebak. Meanwhile, the West Java Provincial Tourism Office also includes the Tangerang area as a region where speakers of this dialect are found (Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985). Geographically, the existence of this language is quite unique because it is located between several other language communities, namely Betawi speakers in the Jakarta area, Sundanese speakers in southern Banten, and Lampung speakers across the Sunda Strait (Rohbiah & Mu'awwanah, 2020).

The Influence of History on Dialect Development

The emergence of the Javanese language in Banten cannot be separated from the long historical process of the region. In the early 16th century, the Banten region was still under the rule of the Sunda Kingdom. This situation changed after the Sunda-Portuguese Treaty in 1522. The treaty sparked a conflict that led to the conquest of the Port of Banten in 1526 and Sunda Kelapa in 1527 by the armies of Demak and Cirebon (Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985).

After the conquest, Banten was led by Syarif Hidayatullah, who came from Cirebon. However, politically, Banten was actually controlled by the Sultan of Demak. Under the leadership of Syarif Hidayatullah, Banten developed into an Islamic kingdom that was active in the trade and transportation network for Javanese and Islamic traders (Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985). Patmadiwiria (1977) added that the settlement of Banten's conquering soldiers from Java also brought with it the Javanese language and culture. Therefore, it can be understood that the Demak and Cirebon Sultanates were the cause or origin of the emergence of the Banten dialect.

The influence of Javanese culture also grew stronger in the 17th century when the Mataram Sultanate expanded its influence to West Java. The spread of Javanese culture at that time occurred not only among the elite, but also among the lower classes (Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985).

In addition to historical factors, geographical conditions also shaped the development of BJDB. The existence of the Port of Merak, which served as a connecting route between Java and Sumatra, enabled intensive interaction with the Lampung community. This interaction gave rise to communities of Lampung language speakers in several coastal areas of Banten, such as in the Anyer District. This cultural contact then influenced the vocabulary of the Banten dialect of Javanese (Rohbiah & Mu'awwanah, 2021).

Unique Pronunciation

As a dialect, BJDB has distinctive characteristics, especially in terms of pronunciation and vocabulary. One of the most prominent unique features is the variation in the pronunciation of the phoneme /a/. In a study conducted by Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al. (1985), it is mentioned that this sound has three different pronunciations, depending on the region of the speaker.

In the areas of Serang City, Cilegon, and the surrounding regions, the phoneme /a/ is often pronounced closer to the sound [ɤ], which is similar to the sound “eu” in Sundanese (Patmadiwiria, 1977; Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985). Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Serang, such as Barugbug, Pagelaran, Cikande, and Kragilan, the phoneme /a/ is still pronounced as [a]. In some areas, such as Rancasawah and parts of Cilegon, the phoneme /a/ is pronounced as [ɔ] (Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985).

Variations in the sound of the phoneme /a/ occur in several circumstances, including the following (Karia, 1914; Iskandarwassid Mulyana, Hudari, et al., 1985):

1. The phoneme /a/ in open syllables will produce variations in sound. Examples: sira [sirɤ], ora [orɤ], and kula [kulɤ].
2. Specifically in the Serang City area and its surroundings, /a/ can be pronounced [ɤ] in one-syllable words, such as mah [mɤh]. However, other one-syllable words such as lah, la, and tah are still pronounced [a].
3. If /a/ is located in a word with an open syllable, then followed by a suffix, /a/ is pronounced as /a/. Examples: sira [sirɤ] becomes sirane [siranI] and apa [apɤ] becomes apane [apanI].

Distinct Vocabulary

In addition to pronunciation, BJDB also has a number of words that differ from the standard Javanese language used in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Here are five examples and their pronunciations based on and adapted from Karia (1914), Iskandarwassid, Mulyana, Hudari, et al. (1985), Poerwadarminta (1939), Sulistyowati (2015), and Patmadiwiria (1977):

1. kastelâ or kêstelâ ‘papaya’, which in standard Javanese is called kates
2. sirâ ‘you’, which in standard Javanese is called kowe
3. kepremen ‘how’, which in standard Javanese to kepiye
4. ayun ‘want’, which in standard Javanese is called arep
5. ning ‘if’, which in standard Javanese is called yen
6. derbe ‘have’, which in standard Javanese is called duwe
7. linggar ‘go’, which in standard Javanese to lungå

These vocabulary differences show that BJDB has unique lexical developments and is not completely identical to standard Javanese.

*For convenience, the author provides special symbols for <a>, which is pronounced [a], <å>, which is pronounced [ɔ], and <â>, which is pronounced [ɤ].

Language Contact Results

The uniqueness of BJDB is also reflected in the large number of words resulting from contact with other languages. Sundanese, Betawi, Malay, and Lampung languages have also influenced the vocabulary of this dialect. Based on Rohbiah & Mu'awwanah (2021), the following are examples of the influence of each of these languages.

1. From Sundanese, for example, the words kolot, meaning ‘old’, and beuleum, meaning ‘to burn’, are used by BJDB speakers in Binong Village, Pamarayan District, instead of the words tuâ and ngobong in BJDB.
2. From the Betawi language, there are the words engkong, which means ‘grandfather’, and betot, which means ‘to pull’, which are used by BJDB speakers in Pedaleman Village, Tanara District, instead of using the words ende lanang and narik in BJDB.
3. The influence of the Malay language can be seen in the use of the word laki to refer to ‘husband’ by BJDB speakers in Kampung Baru & Binong Villages, Pamarayan District, Pontang & Wanayasa Villages, Pontang District, Tanara & Pedaleman Villages, Tanara District, and Anyar & Cikoneng Villages, Anyar District, instead of using the words rayat lanang in BJDB.
4. The influence of the Lampung language is evident in the words eppak, which means ‘four’, and duwai, which means ‘lake’, used by BJDB speakers in Anyar Village, Anyar District, instead of using the words papat and danau in BJDB.

This phenomenon of absorption usually occurs in areas that have a high intensity of cultural contact with certain language communities.

Bibliography

Iskandarwassid; Mulyana, Y.; Hudari, A; Sjarif, T.K.S. (1985). Struktur Bahasa Jawa Dialek Banten. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

Karia, M. M. D. (1914). Dialect Djawa Banten. Batavia: G Kolff & Co.

Patmadiwiria, M. (1977). Kamus Dialek Jawa Banten-Indonesia. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

Poerwadarminta, W.J.S. (1939). Baoesastra Jawa. Batavia: J.B. Wolters’ Uitgevers-Maatschappij N. V. Groningen.

Ras, J.J. (1994). Inleiding tot het Modern Javaans. Leiden: KITLV.

Rohiah, T.S., & Mu’awwanah, U. (2020). Inovasi Leksikal Bahasa Jawa Banten di Perbatasan Kabupaten Serang Provinsi Banten: Kajian Geografis – Linguistik. Serang: Media Madani

Sulistyowati. (2018). Kompleksitas dan Fleksibilitas Realisasi Bunyi Vokal Bahasa Jawa. Mutiara dalam Sastra Jawa Edisi 4, 4(3), 29-45.

List of Figures

Akbar. (2025, October 13^th). Keraton Kaibon, Jejak Kejayaan Kesultanan Banten di Kota Serang [Picture]. Serangkota.go.id. https://serangkota.go.id/detailpost/keraton-kaibon-jejak-kejayaan-kesultanan-banten-di-kota-serang.

Author: Haryo Untoro
Editor: Haryo Untoro & Nurul Fajri Rahmani
Thumbnail Maker: Nurul Fajri Rahmani