Javanese has more speakers than any other regional language in Indonesia, with estimates of around 80 million, yet it is not the country's official language; that role belongs to Indonesian. Its home is the central and eastern parts of Java, and migration has planted communities in Sumatra and beyond, as well as in Suriname, where descendants of contract labourers still speak it. Javanese is Austronesian and is well known for its speech levels: ngoko for everyday talk and krama for polite or formal situations, each with its own vocabulary. The language was long written in its own script, Aksara Jawa, and also in an Arabic-based script called Pegon, but the Latin alphabet dominates today. Javanese literature stretches back many centuries and includes court poetry and chronicles.
Prism Linguistics provides Javanese translation, interpreting and transcription across the UK in 300+ languages. Whether you need a certified document for the Home Office, a court interpreter, an NHS appointment or a business meeting, our vetted native-speaker linguists are ready to help.
Tell us about your project and we’ll reply within 1 working hour with pricing and turnaround.
Get a free quote