BASAbali – a nonprofit organization that provides electronically based vehicles that bring together anthropologists, linguists, and videographers from around the world, have announced plans to release the first multimedia materials for the teaching of the Balinese language.

The Austronesian language of Basa Bali is the native tongue of a diminishing 1 million out of 3 million people living in Bali, with the language’s written script already endangered. As with other minority languages, globalization and tourism encourages the use of English while, at the same time, the national language of Bahasa Indonesia increasing predominates as the preferred language of daily life.

Ayu Mandala, Program Manager of BASAbali, commenting on the importance of the new program that brings together a range of experts to create modern, engaging materials for the teaching of Balinese said: “ it represents tremendous progress for the Balinese language to be recognized as part of the universe of languages and for Bali to be well known not just as paradise island but also one that is rich which indigenous culture. The materials will help Balinese thrive even in the middle of globalization.” More >>