Asian Languages and Pronouns

We all know, language hierarchy is undoubtedly infamous in this part of the world. First, what is language hierarchy? A language hierarchy is presence of different registers used when speakers interact with another speakers of different age and/or social status. It is a spectrum of differences; from just using only different pronouns until changing the whole sentence structure (as if different languages in a language... hahaha). Example of languages which feature this in them are Korean, Thai and Javanese. Today, I am going to talk about 2 languages: Malay and Javanese - maybe a bit of comparison with other languages as well.

Malay

Well, Malay has a quite good basic pronouns (well, compared to Javanese) and the pronouns do not require gender distinction (which most Asian languages are, unlike the Indo-European). A very distinct feature in Malay's pronouns is how it treat the plural first speakers (we). In Malay, you have to choose either 'kita' or 'kami' which in English both mean 'we'. 'Kita' is used when we include the second speaker(s) into 'we'. While 'kami' is used when we are not including the second speaker(s) in 'we'.

In Malay, we only need to change a suitable pronouns when we speak to a different age or social status speaker. E.g. among close friends, we would use 'aku' but with anyone older than us or a stranger, we would use 'saya'. For stranger, once we established the age and the social status, we can then sort to a more appropriate pronouns.

It is the same thing when we want to address the one we speak to. Establish the age and social status, and address accordingly. We have 'kau' or 'engkau' which is considered vulgar and used only with close friends. 'Awak' or 'kamu' are a neutral and widely accepted pronouns when addressing strangers. However, here come the most frustrated point, although you have many words to address people, Malay speakers (and often many other Asian languages) would just dropped(!) the pronouns in daily conversation (not in formal setting). Instead of "Awak nak makan?" - (Do you want to eat?), we would say "Nak makan?" or just simply "Makan?" (literally means 'to eat?').

Oh, it just didnt stop there. Using 'kamu' or 'awak' to older people could be considered rude! Use mak cik, pak cik, encik, puan, abang, kakak or any other equivalent - but not kamu or awak. It also sounds weird. And those who have titles... datuk or dato' or tan sri or tun or etc... (i dont want to talk about honorary titles in Malaysia - it is complicated, at least for me).

So, do you think Malay alone is hard enough right to be socially right when speaking? Wait till you encounter Javanese...

Javanese

Aahhh... the most refined literate language of Southeast Asia, at least claims of a few. This language is the hardcore of language hierarchy in Southeast Asia. Why just restrict the system into pronouns only, go for all! Like, excuse me? Yes, Javanese doesnt only change pronouns to suit the one been spoken to, they change a lot - even verbs, adjectives and to some extent the sentence structure! And it has 3 main social registers (yes, 3 not 2) namedly krama, madya and ngoko. Ngoko is the lowest register and considered as vulgar. It is only used between close friends (not even between husband and wife!). Madya is the middle register, used towards strangers. Krama is the highest register, used to a respectful or noble people.

Example:
The sentence of "Do you want to eat?"
Ngoko - Kowe arep mangan?
Madya - Sampeyan badhe nedha?
Krama - Panjenengan badhe dahar?

And let say, the words for 'to sleep' are: turu (ngoko), tilem (madya) and sare (krama). The words for 'I' are aku (ngoko), kawula or kula (madya and krama). So what do you think the sentence of "I want to sleep." in Krama register?

"Kula badhe sare."????
Wrong. Totally wrong.
The right way is: "Kula arep turu."

If you are socially lower status or younger than the one you speak to, the former is considered as "snobbish"! And it is rude. Even if you already have all the "krama" words in a sentence, it doesnt necessarily implied you are super polite. You have to use it in a right place!

In addition, inside these three registers, there are subregisters which used in a very specific social settings. And the degree of krama is different from one district to another. What is considered as krama in one district might not so in another district! No wonder Javanese is not chosen as the national language or bahasa pemersatu of Indonesia. The complexity of the language registers required a person to understand the realm of Javanese social structure. Not using it right, you might end up offending people. However, not all Javanese language adhere to this "language feudalism". The Eastern Javanese dialect or Suroboyo speech, is an egaliter dialect, which emphasize less on this social registers.