Alternate Names: Balinese
Dialects: Highland Bali (“Bali Aga” (pej.)), Lowland Bali (Badung, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung, Tabanan), Nusa Penida. Reportedly 2 distinct dialects. High Bali is used in religion, but users are diminishing. Speech strata in several lowland varieties (1989 A. Clynes).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 3,330,000 (2000 census). 7,000 in South Sulawesi. Includes immigrant speakers in west Nusa Tenggara, west Lombok Islands.
Language Development: Bible: 1990.
Writing System: Balinese, Latin
Nation of Origin: Indonesia
Other Comments: Nusa Penida Island variety associated with Highland Bali dialect. It is a scattering of villages with minimal influence from the former Majapahit Empire. Hindu.