Baliness Malayo-Polynesian bahasal slang langauge

learn balinese greetings language basics

Balinese is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by about 3.3 million people mainly in Bali in Indonesian, and also in nothern Nusa Penida, western Lombok and eastern Java. According to the Bali Cultural Agency, a million or so people use Balinese in their every day lives. However, in urban areas Balinese-speaking parents speak Indonesian to their children.

The Balinese alphabet is still used to this day, although very few people are familiar with it and it is mainly used for religious works. Generally a version of the Latin alphabet is used instead, although what little Balinese printed material exists in the Latin alphabet consists mainly of school books, religious works and a few books of stories. Balinese children are taught to read and write Balinese in the Latin alphabet at primary school, though few read or write it in later life.