Language/Javanese/Culture/Politeness-Levels

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Javanese → Culture → 0 to A1 Course → Politeness Levels

In the beautiful tapestry of Javanese culture, language plays a crucial role, particularly when it comes to expressing politeness. Understanding the different levels of politeness in the Javanese language is not just about learning words; it’s about appreciating the intricate social fabric of Javanese society. This lesson aims to provide you with a foundational understanding of politeness levels, which is essential for navigating social interactions in Java.

Politeness is deeply rooted in Javanese culture, reflecting respect for elders, authority, and social hierarchy. As you engage with the language, you'll find that choosing the right level of politeness can significantly influence the tone and meaning of your conversation.

In this lesson, we will cover:

• An overview of politeness levels in Javanese

• Detailed explanations of three main politeness levels

• Examples to illustrate each level

• Exercises to practice what you've learned

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to use these politeness levels in various contexts, which will enhance your communication skills in Javanese.

Overview of Politeness Levels

The Javanese language has three primary levels of politeness, often referred to as:

1. Ngoko (Informal): Used among close friends, family, or younger individuals. It’s casual and straightforward.

2. Madya (Middle): A polite form that can be used in semi-formal situations, appropriate for talking to acquaintances or people of the same age.

3. Krama (Formal): The highest level of politeness, used in formal situations, addressing elders or those in authority.

Understanding these levels is crucial for effective communication. Using the incorrect level can lead to misunderstandings or unintended disrespect.

Detailed Explanation of Politeness Levels

Ngoko (Informal)

Ngoko is the most casual level and is mainly used in informal settings. This form of speech is straightforward and does not require any additional prefixes or formalities.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Aku arep menyang pasar.	/aku aˈrɛp sɛnˈjaŋ ˈpasar/	I want to go to the market.
Kowe pinter.	/ˈkowe ˈpintər/	You are smart.
Ayo, mangan!	/ˈajo ˈmaŋan/	Come on, let’s eat!
Dheweke lagi ngendi?	/ˈdʲɛwɛkɛ ˈlaɡi ˈŋɛndi/	Where is he/she?
Wong iku kancaku.	/wɔŋ ˈiku ˈkanʧaku/	That person is my friend.

Ngoko can be used freely among friends and family members of the same age or younger. However, using Ngoko with someone older or in a position of authority can be considered rude.

Madya (Middle)

Madya is a polite form used in semi-formal situations. It is respectful but not overly formal. This level is suitable for conversations with acquaintances or peers who are not too familiar.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Aku arep menyang pasar, pak.	/aku aˈrɛp sɛnˈjaŋ ˈpasar, pak/	I want to go to the market, sir.
Kowe pinter banget.	/ˈkowe ˈpintər ˈbaŋət/	You are very smart.
Ayo, kita mangan bareng.	/ˈajo, ˈkita ˈmaŋan ˈbarɛŋ/	Come on, let’s eat together.
Dheweke lagi ngendi, ya?	/ˈdʲɛwɛkɛ ˈlaɡi ˈŋɛndi, ja?/	Where is he/she, huh?
Wong iku kancaku, lho.	/wɔŋ ˈiku ˈkanʧaku, lho/	That person is my friend, you know.

Using Madya shows respect while maintaining a level of familiarity. It’s often the safest choice when you’re unsure of the appropriate level of politeness.

Krama (Formal)

Krama is the most formal level and is used in respectful or formal situations. This level is crucial when talking to elders or in professional settings.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Kula badhe dhateng pasar.	/ˈkula ˈbadɛ ˈdʲatəŋ ˈpasar/	I will go to the market.
Panjenengan pinter.	/ˈpaɲdʒɛnəŋ ˈpintər/	You are smart, sir/madam.
Mangga, kula ajak dhahar.	/ˈmaŋɡa, ˈkula ˈaʤak ˈdaɦar/	Please, let me invite you to eat.
Panjenengan sampun ngertos?	/ˈpaɲdʒɛnəŋ ˈsampun ˈŋərtos/	Do you understand, sir/madam?
Tiang punika kanca kula.	/ˈtiɲɡan ˈpunika ˈkanʧa ˈkula/	That person is my friend.

Using Krama is essential in maintaining respect and formality in social interactions, especially with those who are elder or in a position of authority.

Summary of Politeness Levels

To summarize, here is a table that encapsulates the three levels of Javanese politeness:

Level	Description	Example
Ngoko	Informal, used among friends and family	Aku arep menyang pasar. (I want to go to the market.)
Madya	Semi-formal, used with acquaintances	Aku arep menyang pasar, pak. (I want to go to the market, sir.)
Krama	Formal, used with elders and authority figures	Kula badhe dhateng pasar. (I will go to the market.)

Exercises to Practice Politeness Levels

Now that you have a foundational understanding of Javanese politeness levels, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice! Below are some exercises designed to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Exercise 1: Identify the Level

Read the following sentences and identify which politeness level (Ngoko, Madya, or Krama) is being used.

1. Kowe ngerti?

2. Panjenengan pundi?

3. Ayo, dolan!

4. Kula nyuwun pangapunten.

5. Dheweke kancaku.

Solution:

1. Ngoko

2. Krama

3. Ngoko

4. Krama

5. Ngoko

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of politeness.

1. _______ badhe dhateng kelas. (I will go to class.)

2. _______ arep mangan? (Do you want to eat?)

3. Ayo, _______ ajak dolan. (Come on, let’s invite to play.)

4. _______ ngerti, ya? (You understand, huh?)

5. _______ pinter banget. (You are very smart.)

Solution:

1. Kula

2. Kowe

3. kita

4. Panjenengan

5. Kowe

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Using the three politeness levels, create sentences for the following situations:

1. Speaking to your friend about going to a movie.

2. Asking a colleague to join you for lunch.

3. Addressing a teacher about an assignment.

Solution:

1. Ngoko: Ayo, nonton film bareng!

Madya: Ayo, kita nonton film bareng, ya?

Krama: Mangga, panjenengan badhe nonton film bersama?

2. Ngoko: Kowe arep dhahar?

Madya: Panjenengan arep dhahar bareng?

Krama: Kula nyuwun panjenengan dhahar bareng.

3. Ngoko: Guru, tugas iki apa?

Madya: Pak/Bu, tugas iki pundi?

Krama: Panjenengan, kula nyuwun penjelasan tentang tugas punika.

Exercise 4: Role Play

Pair up with a partner. One person will play the role of a friend, and the other will play an elder. Practice using Ngoko with your friend and Krama with the elder.

Solution:

• Ngoko Example: “Kowe arep dolan, ora?”

• Krama Example: “Panjenengan arep dolan, ya?”

Exercise 5: Listening Comprehension

Listen to a short dialogue in Javanese and identify the politeness level used. Write down a few sentences that were said.

Solution:

If the dialogue used a mix of politeness levels, identify which was used for each speaker and context.

Exercise 6: Matching Exercise

Match the sentences with their corresponding translations.

1. Kula badhe mulang.

2. Kowe arep ngendi?

3. Panjenengan pundi?

4. Ayo, mangan!

Matching Table:

| Javanese Sentence | English Translation |

|---|---|

| Kula badhe mulang. | I will teach. |

| Kowe arep ngendi? | Where are you going? |

| Panjenengan pundi? | Where are you, sir/madam? |

| Ayo, mangan! | Come on, let’s eat! |

Solution:

1 - I will teach.

2 - Where are you going?

3 - Where are you, sir/madam?

4 - Come on, let’s eat!

Exercise 7: Rewrite the Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences from Ngoko to Krama.

1. Aku arep dolan.

2. Kowe pinter.

3. Dheweke ngerti.

Solution:

1. Kula badhe dolan.

2. Panjenengan pinter.

3. Panjenengan ngerti.

Exercise 8: Role Reversal

In a group, role-play a situation where you need to switch between politeness levels. For instance, a conversation between a student and a teacher.

Solution:

Student: “Pak, kula nyuwun pencerahan.”

Teacher: “Kula badhe mbantu panjenengan.”

Exercise 9: Group Discussion

Discuss in small groups about the importance of using the correct politeness level in Javanese. Share personal experiences or observations.

Solution:

Each group should summarize their thoughts on why politeness levels are essential in Javanese culture and language.

Exercise 10: Create a Dialogue

Create a short dialogue that incorporates all three levels of politeness.

Solution Example:

Person A (Ngoko): “Kowe arep nonton film?”

Person B (Madya): “Aku arep, nanging ora ngerti film apa.”

Person C (Krama): “Mangga, panjenengan badhe nonton film punika?”

By practicing these exercises, you will become more comfortable navigating the different politeness levels in Javanese, improving both your speaking and listening skills in various social contexts.

Table of Contents - Javanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Common Foods
• Drinks and Beverages

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Manner

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Basic Prepositions
• Common Conjunctions

  ---

Javanese Customs and Etiquette

• Politeness Levels
• Social Etiquette

Sources

• JAVANESE SPEECH LEVELS Soepomo Poedjosoedarmo In this ...
• Javanese Speech Levels

Other Lessons

• Social Etiquette

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