Bali

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
ban
Alternate Names
Balinese
Population

3,330,000 (2000 census). 7,000 in South Sulawesi. Includes immigrant speakers in west Nusa Tenggara, west Lombok Islands.

Location

Java and Bali. Islands of Bali, north Nusa Penida.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Bali-Sasak-Sumbawa
Dialects

Highland Bali (“Bali Aga” (pej.)), Lowland Bali (Badung, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung, Tabanan), Nusa Penida. Reportedly 2 distinct dialects. High Bali is used in religion, but users are diminishing. Speech strata in several lowland varieties (1989 A. Clynes).

Language Development
Bible: 1990.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bali
Writing
Balinese script. Javanese script, no longer in use. Latin script, used since early 20th century.
Other Comments

Nusa Penida Island variety associated with Highland Bali dialect. It is a scattering of villages with minimal influence from the former Majapahit Empire. Hindu.