7 Fascinating Facts About Sundanese Language: The Ancient Language That Shaped Indonesia’s Culture!

Interesting Facts About the Sundanese Language: A Living Cultural Heritage

The Sundanese language is undeniably one of the richest and most historically significant regional languages in Indonesia. Not only does it function as a powerful communication tool, but it also holds immense cultural and identity value for the Sundanese people. Here are some fascinating facts about the Sundanese language that reveal its profound depth and remarkable diversity.

1. One of the Oldest Languages in Indonesia

First and foremost, Sundanese stands out as one of Indonesia’s oldest regional languages. It belongs to the Malay-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family and has been present in the archipelago for centuries. Although exact records of its origin remain elusive, archaeological evidence, such as the Kawali Inscription found in Ciamis, shows that this language was already in formal use by the 14th century. This inscription vividly demonstrates that Sundanese has been a formal language for hundreds of years, underscoring its historical importance.

2. The Third Largest Number of Speakers in Indonesia

Moreover, Sundanese ranks third among regional languages in Indonesia in terms of the number of speakers, trailing only behind Indonesian and Javanese. Indeed, according to 2018 data, around 42 million people across Indonesia speak Sundanese. Most of these speakers are concentrated in West Java, which remains the heartland of the Sundanese ethnic group.

3. Contains Two Main Dialects

Another unique feature of Sundanese lies in its two main dialects. Sundanese consists of the (h) dialect and the non-(h) dialect. The (h) dialect, for instance, is widely spoken across most of West Java, including cities like Bandung, Bogor, and Garut. On the other hand, the non-(h) dialect is primarily used in the northern coastal areas, such as Indramayu. Astonishingly, these dialects can differ by as much as 60%, underscoring the remarkable linguistic diversity within the Sundanese language.

4. Used in Many Regions of Indonesia

Interestingly, Sundanese is not only spoken in West Java. As Sundanese communities migrate, they bring their language with them, spreading it to regions such as Banten, Jakarta, Lampung, and even Bengkulu. In these areas, dialectal differences can reach up to 80% compared to the West Java dialect, which reflects the language’s impressive adaptability to new environments.

5. Has Its Own Writing System: Sundanese Script

Equally noteworthy, Sundanese has its own unique writing system known as the Sundanese Script. This script, which belongs to the Brahmi script family, was adapted from the Kawi script. Impressively, several variations of the Sundanese script exist, including the Ngalagena and Rarangken scripts. This script functions not only as a form of written communication but also as a potent symbol of the cultural identity of the Sundanese people. It still appears in ancient manuscripts that preserve the rich history and traditions of Sundanese culture.

6. An Integral Part of the Sundanese Identity

For the Sundanese people, their language represents much more than just a tool for communication—it embodies a crucial part of their identity. As Prof. Dr. Mikihiro Moriyama from Nanzan University explains, the Sundanese language serves as a direct reflection of Sundanese culture itself. This language strengthens the sense of identity within the Sundanese community and symbolizes their distinctiveness among other ethnic groups in Indonesia.

7. Sustainable Efforts to Preserve the Sundanese Language

Finally, efforts to preserve the Sundanese language remain active and ongoing. Through school education and the publication of books and literature in Sundanese, many initiatives aim to ensure the language’s survival. Since the early 20th century, more than 2,200 Sundanese textbooks have been published. Major publishers like Balai Pustaka have actively published books in Sundanese since the 1920s, playing a key role in sustaining the language and ensuring its endurance through changing times.

In Summary

By exploring these facets of the Sundanese language, we gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural richness embedded within Indonesian heritage. Regional languages like Sundanese are indeed invaluable, and preserving them allows their cultural and historical significance to continue thriving for future generations.