BANJAR LANGUAGE CHANGED INTO MALAY LANGUAGE ON THE PENINSULA AROUND THE 15th-17th CENTURY (1440-1602 AD)
By: Hamly Hadi
(Historical Observer)
Banjar language is an Austronesian language spoken by the Banjar tribe in Kalimantan, Indonesia as their mother tongue. The Banjar language is hypothesized to be a proto-Malayic language.
A study conducted by 2 researchers from Malaysia found that Malay appeared in the 15-17 century AD, namely around 1440-1602 AD.
This study examines the relationship between the Banjar language and the Malay language by listing the basic vocabulary of these two languages through the use of lexicostatistical comparison methods and the application of glotochronological methods. Using this method, the percentage of related words can be determined by calculating the number of related words through research into elements of retention and elements of innovation.
This review and list of basic language vocabulary utilizes Morris Swadesh’s 200-word list. Of the 195 basic vocabularies that were compared, there were 158 or 81% of the basic vocabulary of the Banjar language that were cognate with Malay.
This kinship percentage shows that the Banjar language and the Malay language are at the level of linguistic kinship.
The century or year separating these two languages from 2021 is assumed to be between the 15th century AD to the 17th century AD or 1440 to 1602 years ago. Even though the relationship between the Banjar language and the Malay language is very close, namely at the level of linguistic kinship, Malay people cannot understand the Banjar language unless they study it.
The results of the study prove that the lexicostatistical method and the application of glotochronological formulas that have been suggested by Lees (Lehman, 1973: 105) and Gudschinsky (1964: 618) in determining the century of separation of the Austonesian language is a relevant and appropriate method in systematically describing the hypothetical genealogy of languages based on age proposed by Asmah (2008: 3) and other local reviewers.***
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, December 21 2025
Source :
Mohd Khaidir Abdul Wahab (Malay Language Linguistic Studies Division, Center for Humanities Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia.)
Adi Kasman Che Halin (Center for Language Studies, Civilization and Philosophy, Universiti Utara Malaysia.)
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