Jawi
Language Information
Jawi is an Arabic-based alphabet used to write Malay. It is used in Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand (Pattani), and parts of Indonesia such as Aceh and the Riau Islands. In Brunei it is used officially alongside the Roman alphabet.
Jawi developed after Islam reached the Malay world around the 13th century. It adds six letters to the Arabic alphabet for sounds not found in Arabic: ch, ng, p, g, v, and ny. It was the main script for Malay for centuries until the Roman alphabet (called Rumi) replaced it for everyday use in the 20th century. It is still taught in Malaysian schools and appears in religious texts, royal documents, and many official signs.
Jawi developed after Islam reached the Malay world around the 13th century. It adds six letters to the Arabic alphabet for sounds not found in Arabic: ch, ng, p, g, v, and ny. It was the main script for Malay for centuries until the Roman alphabet (called Rumi) replaced it for everyday use in the 20th century. It is still taught in Malaysian schools and appears in religious texts, royal documents, and many official signs.
- Language Family
- Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian)
- Subgroup
- Malayic