Before the Youth Pledge was proclaimed in 1928, people in Jakarta used Malay as a means of daily communication. This language was also commonly used in Sumatra and was later adopted as the national language of Indonesia. Because the language used at that time differed from standard Malay, the Dutch considered the inhabitants of Batavia a distinct ethnic group and referred to them as Betawi, a variation of the name Batavia itself.
1) Maritime Museum from the Syahbandar Tower by Fitri Penyalai - CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
2) Jong Java from Indonesia via Wikimedia Commons
Although Indonesian is the official language in Jakarta, several names of areas and rivers retain regional or local elements. Examples include Ancol, Pancoran, Cilandak, Ciliwung, and Cideng, which originated from the name Cihideung, then evolved into Cideung, before finally becoming Cideng.
1) Betawi Pencak Silat by Gunawan Kartapranata - CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
2) Traditional Dance Costume by Naval Scene - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In everyday life, Jakarta residents tend to use Indonesian, influenced by the Betawi dialect. Furthermore, because Jakarta is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities from across Indonesia, regional languages such as Javanese, Sundanese, Minang, Batak, Madurese, Bugis, and even Chinese are also spoken by the capital's immigrant communities.
1) Skydeck Jakarta by RasyaAbhirama13 - CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
2) Jakarta City Scene by Stenly Lam - CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
As a means of communication across ethnicities and cultures, Indonesian remains a unifying language. However, among young people, a unique slang has emerged. This language is spontaneous, creative, and a blend of various languages. Popular expressions such as "Please dong ah!", "Cape deh!", and "So what itu loh!" demonstrate a blend of English and the Betawi dialect. Meanwhile, English is used to a limited extent, particularly in educational contexts, diplomatic affairs, and business activities. In some areas, such as Glodok and Pasar Pagi, Mandarin is also used, particularly among Chinese businesspeople.
Written by Noverdy R
Reference:
Setianti, Eni, et al. Jakarta Encyclopedia: Jakarta Past, Present, & Tomorrow. Jakarta: PT Lentera Abadi, 2009.
