Banjar

Banjar is an Austronesian language spoken in Banjarbaru, Indonesia and surrounding areas. It is also spoken in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is closely related to the Malay language, and is written using the Latin alphabet. Banjar is a member of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family, and is therefore related to other Austronesian languages such as Indonesian, Malay, and Hawaiian. It is thought to have split off from the Malay language around 1000 AD. The Banjar language is spoken by approximately 4 million people. It is used as a lingua franca in its home region, and is also spoken by migrants in other parts of Indonesia. Banjar has a number of dialects, which can be broadly divided into two groups: the Barito dialects, spoken in and around Banjarbaru, and the Kutai dialects, spoken in and around the city of Samarinda. There are also a number of pidgin and creole varieties of Banjar. The Banjar language is an important part of Banjar culture, and is used in literature, music, and other forms of artistic expression. It is also used in everyday life, and is an important tool for communication within the Banjar community.