Basa Bali: Is learning Balinese a good idea?
Basa Bali, the language of the Balinese has some similarities with Bahasa Indonesia. It is though, a separate language in its own right. For people coming to Bali, or living in Bali, is learning Basa Bali worth the effort?
A recent thread of the expat forum, asks that exact question. Good point mentioned and it is true that in most areas of the islands nowadays, younger people can speak Bahasa Indonesia and some English. The need to learn Basa Bali, for getting things done, does not exist. My wife Ika does not speak, and does not want to learn Basa Bali. She can get by very well in Indonesian.
A linguist I’m not, but I’d still like to learn some Balinese, as it adds spice to a casual conversation. Whenever I’m in a village and someone asks “Apa kabar?” and I respond “Becik becik kemantan,’ they break into laughter. The idea of a westerner speaking the lcoal language tickles them, and for that reason, it can be rewarding. I have also been in situations in the highlands and also here in Seminyak, where a 60 year old Balinese person cannot understand me, because they can’t speak Indonesian. Being able to pull up to a rice field on my motorbike, and chat with the old guy working in it, would be wonderful.
Anyone have tips of learning Basa Bali?
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
There are many important reasons why one should understand Bahasa Bali. And if and when you do begin to understand Bahasa Bali you will very quickly understand why. The foremost reason is because generally Balinese people don\’t speak to each other in Indonesian, they speak to each other in Balinese, so if you want to have a clue as to what\’s going on around you, you need to speak or at least be able to understand Balinese. I can\’t tell you how many times (in the 20 years I have lived in Bali) I have shocked the pants off of folks when there was a conversation going on between two Balinese about me and I cordially smiled and put my two cents in, in IPUN. Smiles and compliments all around, but respect is really what we are talking about.
As a Balinese I need to emphasize that a language is part of his/her identity; and, and later parts of many aspects (e.g. social, status).
The Balinese language has a long historical account dated back to Java, the southern part of the Indian continent, and to the Semit tradition of writing. All in all, the present/moderen Balinese language and its writing system have been part of a larger system of language and script of tyhe world.
i break into laughter myself just reading it (becik becik komanten) i dont even speak that formal balinese ( alus balinese)that for when you are speaking to a pedanda ( priest)every day basa bali is just informal mixed indo and balinese kenken kabare bli/mbok you answer will be (baik baik)
best regards
putu