On Javanese Registers: Much More Complicated Than Social Statuses

Today I discuss a few things on Javanese language with my friend, Taufiqur Rizal. I would like to know a few things about Javanese language because I want to create some characters in my novel whose background is Javanese. Thus, I would like to know more about the Javanese grammar, which is famous for its complexity on registers (formal/informal) and politeness degree.

Since I'm a type of person who wants to share everything I know (imagine how generous I am in the real life *LOL), I would like to share some information I know about Javanese language to all of you, especially to those of you who are not Indonesians and who are interested in learning more about Indonesia.

Javanese language is a language spoken by people in the Island of Java, Indonesia. It is the most populated island in Indonesia, where Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia (which is also my hometown) is located. However, I must inform you that most of Jakartans don't use Javanese as their daily language (we, Jakartans use Bahasa Indonesia mixed with Betawi language and foreign languages). Similarly, people in West Java don't use Javanese language; they use "Sundanese" instead. Javanese language is originally spoken in Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java (though some Javanese people might move to other areas in Java like Jakarta and other areas in other islands and spread their language there).

The Javanese language (according to my mom who's from a Chinese-Javanese descendants, my Javanese friends and other sources), consists of three registers: Krama, Madya, and Ngoko.It is often misunderstood that these registers only distinguish social statuses. In fact, the differences are much more complicated than that.

Krama: It is spoken in formal situations. Most of Javanese nobles (those who live in Keraton) still use this register today. It is considered as the most polite register among the three. It is also spoken from younger people to the elders, from subordinates to bosses, or from juniors to seniors.

Madya: It's the less polite register compared to the prior. We use Madya if we want to be neither too formal or too informal. For example, when we want to talk to strangers we meet on the street (since we don't know their age, status, or other related backgrounds).

Ngoko: The most impolite register among the three. We usually use Ngoko with friends or people who are close to us. It is also used by people from higher status when talking to those from lower status (e.g. elders to youngers, bosses to subordinates, etc).

In short, the use of these registers are much more complicated than just distinguishing social statuses. It is not like the difference between received pronunciation and cockney accent in UK. Even some noblemen will use "Ngoko" when they're angry. And children from lower status should use Krama when they talk to their parents, teachers, or other people they respect.

Understanding more about these registers makes me more interested in Javanese language than before. I want to discuss more about it in my novel. Wish me luck.