Javanese script
Learn more about Javanese script
| Java | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type: | Abugida | |
| Languages: | Javanese language | |
| Time period: | c.900-1900s | |
| Parent writing systems: | Proto-Canaanite alphabet Phoenician alphabet Aramaic alphabet Brahmi alphabet Pallava Old Kawi Java | |
| Sister writing systems: | Balinese Batak Baybayin Buhid Hanunó'o Rejang Tagbanwa</br> | |
| ISO 15924 code: | Java | |
| Note: This page may contain IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. See IPA chart for English for an English-based pronunciation key. | ||
| History of the Alphabet |
|---|
|
Middle Bronze Age 19–15th c. BC
|
| Meroitic 3rd c. BC |
| Complete genealogy |
The Javanese script natively known as Tjarakan is the script originally used to write Javanese. It 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).
The twenty consonants are:
ha, na, ca, ra, ka
da, ta, sa, wa, la
pa, dha, ja, ya, nya
ma, ga, ba, tha, nga
[edit] Meaning Behind Javanese Script
The script itself is a poem, whose 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 details :
'hana'/'ana' = there were/was
'caraka' = warrior (actually, 'one who loyal to and being 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
[edit] See also
- Balinese script, a very similar script used in the neighbouring island of Bali
[edit] External links
- Hanacaraka Font & Resources (in Indonesian)
- Entry on Javanese at Omniglot.com -- A guide to writing systems
