Bali

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
ban
Alternate Names
Balinese
Autonym
Basa Bali
User Population

3,300,000 (2010 census). 7,000 in South Sulawesi. Includes immigrant speakers in west Nusa Tenggara, west Lombok Islands. Ethnic population: 3,950,000 (2011 census).

Location

Bali province: widespread; West Nusa Tenggara province: Kota Mataram and Lombok Barat regency; west central Lombok island.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Bali-Sasak-Sumbawa
Dialects

Lowland Bali (Badung, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung, Tabanan), Highland Bali (“Bali Aga” (pej.)), Nusa Penida. Reportedly 2 distinct dialects. High Bali is used in religion, but users are diminishing. Speech strata in several lowland varieties (1989 A. Clynes).

Typology

SVO; noun head initial; definite affix; causatives; 17 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; stress on penultimate syllable; 3 sociolinguistic registers.

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Used as L2 by Kata Kolok [bqy].

Language Development

Taught as subject in most primary schools through grade 6. Grammar. Bible: 1990.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bali
Writing

Balinese script [Bali]. Javanese script [Java], no longer in use. Latin script [Latn], used since early 20th century.

Other Comments

Nusa Penida Island variety associated with Highland Bali dialect. It is a scattering of villages with minimal influence from the former Majapahit Empire. Hindu.