Javanese script: Difference between revisions
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The '''Javanese script''', natively known as ''Carakan'' (''Tjarakan''), is the script originally used to write [[Javanese language|Javanese]]. |
The '''Javanese script''', natively known as ''Carakan'' (''Tjarakan''), is the script originally used to write [[Javanese language|Javanese]]. Although there are over 8 million Javanese speakers in Java, there is currently no newspapers or magazines being printed in the Javanese Script. This is due to the replacement of the Javanese script by the Latin alphabet in the twentieth century. The standard orthography was created in 1926, and later revised in 1972. |
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Currently it is difficult to encode or render on computer system, but [[Unicode]] support is currently underway[http://www.unicode.org/pending/pending.html]. |
Currently it is difficult to encode or render on computer system, but [[Unicode]] support is currently underway[http://www.unicode.org/pending/pending.html]. |
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Revision as of 01:05, 5 November 2008
| Java | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Script type | |
Time period | c. 900–20th century |
| Direction | Left-to-right  |
| Languages | Javanese |
| Related scripts | |
Parent systems | |
Sister systems | Balinese Batak Baybayin Buhid Hanunó'o Lontara Old Sundanese Rejang Tagbanwa |
| ISO 15924 | |
| ISO 15924 | Java (361), Javanese |
| Unicode | |
Unicode alias | Javanese |
The Javanese script, natively known as Carakan (Tjarakan), is the script originally used to write Javanese. Although there are over 8 million Javanese speakers in Java, there is currently no newspapers or magazines being printed in the Javanese Script. This is due to the replacement of the Javanese script by the Latin alphabet in the twentieth century. The standard orthography was created in 1926, and later revised in 1972.
Currently it is difficult to encode or render on computer system, but Unicode support is currently underway[1].
Javanese
Javanese is an abugida script consisting of 20 main consonants with an inherent vowel "a" (normally pronounced as open back rounded vowel when reciting the consonants). In addition there are vowel markings, contraction of consonants, variant great letters used for ceremony, and marks to indicate poetic structure.
The twenty consonants are:
ha, na, ca, ra, ka
da, ta, sa, wa, la
pa, dha, ja, ya, nya
ma, ga, ba, tha, nga
Script
Alphabet as poem
The alphabet itself forms a poem, of which the line-by-line translation is as follows:
There (were/was) warriors
(They) had animosity (among each other)
(They were) equally powerful (in fight)
Both (were) dead.
in detail:
hana / ana = there were/was
caraka = warrior (actually, 'one who is loyal to and trusted by someone')
data = have/has
sawala = difference (regarding a matter)
padha = same, equal
jayanya = 'their power', 'jaya' could mean 'glory' as well
maga = 'both'
bathanga = 'be a dead body' = 'die', since 'bathang' = corpse
Similarities between Balinese and Javanese Script
 |
 |
| Javanese Script | Balinese Script |
Further reading
There are very few items available in English about Javanese script; however, the following give some introduction:
- Gallop, Annabel Teh. Golden letters: writing traditions of Indonesia = Surat emas: budaya tulis di Indonesia (with Bernard Arps). London: British Library; Jakarta: Yayasan Lontar, c1991. ISBN 9798083067
- Pigeaud, Theodore G. Th. Javanese and Balinese manuscripts and some codices written in related idioms spoken in Java and Bali: descriptive catalogue, with examples of Javanese script, introductory chapters, a general index of names and subjects Wiesbaden: Steiner, 1975. ISBN 3515019642
See also
- History of the alphabet
- The Brahmic script and its descendants
- Folk etymology relevant to Javanese etymology
- Balinese script, a very similar script used in the neighbouring island of Bali
External links
- Hanacaraka Font & Resources (in Indonesian)
- Entry on Javanese at Omniglot.com -- A guide to writing systems
- Javanese script (hanacaraka) calligraphy service in the web [2]
- Pallawa :: Javanese Script Software
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