Optimizing Javanese Script Learning through Thai Script Pedagogy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15294/piwulang.v14i1.27995Keywords:
Javanese script, Thai script (Aksorn Thai), script learning, consonant pairs (pasangan aksara), cultureAbstract
The declining use of the Javanese script among younger generations has become a major challenge for cultural preservation, while the Thai script (Aksorn Thai) remains widely integrated into Thailand’s educational system despite both scripts sharing the same Abugida writing system. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of Javanese and Thai scripts to identify pedagogical strategies that can optimize Javanese script learning. Using a qualitative descriptive method with a comparative approach, data were collected through a literature review, social media content analysis of Thai-language learning, and in-depth interviews with Thai-language experts. The findings indicate that Thai script pedagogy is supported by symbol–word associations, simplified vowel naming, and visual transformation strategies. Accordingly, this study proposes three adaptive strategies for Javanese script instruction: (1) culturally meaningful word associations, (2) simplification of sandhangan terminology into direct phonetic units, and (3) visual approaches to understanding pasangan as transformation patterns. Pedagogically, these strategies encourage more adaptive, visual, and contextualized learning experiences that may enhance students’ motivation, memory retention, and conceptual understanding. The implementation of these approaches is expected to support the revitalization of Javanese script as a living cultural identity in the modern era.
References
Aioanei, A. C., Hunziker-Rodewald, R. R., Klein, K. M., & Michels, D. L. (2024). Deep Aramaic: Towards a synthetic data paradigm enabling machine learning in epigraphy. PLoS ONE, 19(4 April), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299297
Aribowo, E. K. (2018). Digitalisasi Aksara Jawa Dan Pemanfaatannya Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Bagi Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran Bahasa Jawa Smp Kabupaten Klaten. Warta LPM, 21(2), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.23917/warta.v21i2.5620
Asrianti, T., & Fauziah, P. Y. (2023). Pendampingan Belajar Aksara Jawa dalam Upaya Pelestarian Budaya Jawa. Abdi: Jurnal Pengabdian Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 5(3), 398–402. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24036/abdi.v5i3.472
Azani, A., Mislaini, Yuni, S. R., & Rambe, S. (2025). Sistem Pendidikan di Thailand. Karakter: Jurnal Riset Ilmu Pendidikan Islam, 2(1), 1–45.
Bashir, R., Quadri, S. M. K., & Giri, K. J. (2022). Script identification: a review. International Journal of Information Technology, 14(1), 459–473.
Behrend, A. T. E. (1993). Writing of Javanese Literary History Nineteenth-Century Java. Codicology and The Writing Of Javanese Literary History. Bijdragen Tot de Taal-, Land- En Volkenkunde, 149(May), 407–437.
Daniels, P. T. (2019). Indic scripts: History, typology, study. Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography, 11–42.
Dewi, S. R., Widiyono, Y., & Anjarini, T. (2022). Pengembangan Multimedia Aksara Jawa Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Pada Siswa Kelas V Sekolah Dasar. Piwulang : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Jawa, 10(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.15294/piwulang.v10i1.55396
Fakhruddin, D., Sachari, A., & Haswanto, N. (2019). Pengembangan Desain Informasi dan Pembelajaran Aksara Jawa melalui Media Website. ANDHARUPA: Jurnal Desain Komunikasi Visual & Multimedia, 5(01), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.33633/andharupa.v5i01.1990
Febriani, N. W. A., & Insani, N. H. (2024). Efektivitas Model CIRC Menggunakan Media Scrabble Aksara Jawa Terhadap Hasil Menulis Huruf Jawa. Piwulang : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Jawa, 12(2), 141–153. https://doi.org/10.15294/piwulang
Fedorova, L. L. (2013). The development of graphic representation in a Bugida writing: The Akshara’s grammar. Lingua Posnaniensis, 55(2), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/linpo-2013-0013
Iemamnuay, S. (2019). Early Childhood Curriculum in Thailand: An Investigation Into Perceptions of the Cultivation of Thainess in Young Children. Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Ilham, F., & Rochmawati, N. (2020). Transliterasi Aksara Jawa Tulisan Tangan ke Tulisan Latin Menggunakan CNN. Journal of Informatics and Computer Science (JINACS), 1(04), 200–208. https://doi.org/10.26740/jinacs.v1n04.p200-208
Insani, N. H., & Fuadhiyah, U. (2025). Fostering Fairy Tale Literacy for Young Readers: The Flipping Javanese Manuscript’s Effectivity. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences, 3(2), 164–172. https://jayapanguspress.penerbit.org/index.php/IJMS
Insani, N. H., & Kholiq, Y. N. (2025). Exploring Learning Difficulties and Causal Factors in Javanese Scripts: Student and Teacher Perspectives in Indonesian High School. Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 4(3), 642–662. https://doi.org/10.46843/jpm.v4i3.511
Jamcharoensup, P. (2014). Teaching Thai language to Thai children in Switzerland. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 112, 1022–1026.
Jamnongsarn, S. (2017). Transkulturasi Gamelan Jawa Dan Angklung Dalam Perkembangan Musik Istana Thailand. Institut Seni Indonesia.
Kholiq, Y. N., Nurhayati, E., & Purwadi, P. (2024). Problematics of Learning Javanese Script And Alternative Solutions: A Literature Review. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 5(4), 713–722. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v5i4.2052
Kosonen, K., & Person, K. R. (2014). Languages, Identities and Education in Thailand BT - Language, Education and Nation-building: Assimilation and Shift in Southeast Asia (P. Sercombe & R. Tupas (eds.); pp. 200–231). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137455536_11
Linayanti, H. T. (2022). Pengaruh Penggunaan Media Kartu Raja (Aksara Jawa) Terhadap Keterampilan Menulis Huruf Jawa. Kalam Cendekia: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 10(2), 356. https://doi.org/10.20961/jkc.v10i2.65656
Mahamad, S., Kaoemanee, Y., Ibrahim, M. N., & Kasbon, R. (2012). A flash-based framework for learning Thai language as second language in preschool education. Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing, 115 AISC(VOL. 2), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25349-2_16
Mustikasari, R., & Astuti, C. W. (2020). Pergeseran Penggunaan Bahasa Jawa pada Siswa TK dan KB di Kelurahan Beduri Ponorogo. Alinea: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajaran, 9(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.35194/alinea.v9i1.839
Mustofa, A. (2024). Budaya Dan Tradisi Keraton Yogyakarta Dalam Itinéraire D’Un Voyage À Java En 1896. KLAUSA (Kajian Linguistik, Pembelajaran Bahasa, Dan Sastra), 8(1), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v8i1.969
Nurhasanah, N., Wurianto, A. B., & Arifin, B. (2016). Pengembangan Media Kijank (Komik Indonesia, Jawa, Dan Aksara Jawa) Pembelajaran Bahasa Jawa Kelas 5 Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Pengembangan Sekolah Dasar (JP2SD), 1(4), 267. https://doi.org/10.22219/jp2sd.vol1.no4.267-273
Paramarta, I. K., Martha, I. N., & Astiti, S. L. W. C. (2024). Pemetaan Aksara-Silabel Berbasis Grafem Aksara Bali dalam Kamus Bali – Indonesia Beraksara Latin dan Bali Tahun 2016. GHANCARAN: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra Indonesia, 5(2), 338–351. https://doi.org/10.19105/ghancaran.v5i2.9899
Peter T. Daniels and William Bright. (1996). The World’s Writing Systems. Oxford University Press.
Pratiwi, A. D., & Insani, N. H. (2025). The Development of a Flipbook-Based on Unggah – Ungguh for a Student at a Senior High School. Edunesia : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 6(3), 1597–1617.
Puspitoningrum, E. (2018). Implementasi Literasi untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi Pembelajaran pada Materi Membaca Aksara Jawa Siswa SMA. Wacana : Jurnal Bahasa, Seni, Dan Pengajaran, 2(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.29407/jbsp.v2i1.12743
Putri, R. H. (2018). Kisah Panji di Thailand - Historia. In Historia.
Rinata, S., Yuwono, A., & Insani, N. H. (2023). Pengembangan Media Jenga Aksara Jawa dalam Pembelajaran Membaca dan Menulis Teks Berhuruf Jawa. Piwulang : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Jawa, 11(1), 92–109. https://doi.org/10.15294/piwulang.v11i1.57806
Ritthiwan Pancha. (2015). Nada bicara bahasa Thailand Bangkok yang dituturkan oleh orang Kamboja dengan berbagai tingkat pengalaman dalam bahasa Thailand. In Graduate School, Silpakorn University (Vol. 16, Issue 2).
Sariyanti, R., Sumarwati, & Said, D. P. (2024). Kesulitan Menulis Aksara Jawa dalam Pembelajaran Luring dan Daring ( Studi Kasus di Kelas VIII SMP Negeri 1 Kebakkramat ) dengan Surat Keputusan Gubernur Swasta Provinsi Jawa Tengah ”. Pembelajaran Bahasa Jawa memiliki. Sabdasastra : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Jawa, 8(2), 160–173.
Smyth, D. (2005). Thai: An essential grammar. Routledge.
Sumaryono, S. (2020). Persebaran Cerita Panji dalam Spirit Kenusantaraan. Dance and Theatre Review, 3(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.24821/dtr.v3i1.4414
Wiboolyasarin, W. (2025). Introduction to Thai Language and Script BT - Thai Grammar Instruction: A Comprehensive Guide to Structure, Usage, and Cultural Insights (W. Wiboolyasarin (ed.); pp. 1–30). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4487-2_1
Windy, N., Febriani, A., Insani, N. H., Semarang, U. N., Jawa, S. A., & Jawa, M. H. (2024). Efektivitas Model CIRC Menggunakan Media Scrabble Aksara Jawa Terhadap Hasil Menulis Huruf Jawa. Piwulang : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Jawa, 12(2), 141–153. https://doi.org/10.15294/piwulang,v12i2.11029
Winskel, H., & Ratitamkul, T. (2019). Learning to Read and Write in Thai BT - Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography (R. M.
Joshi & C. McBride (eds.); pp. 217–231). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05977-4_12
Wolters, O. W. (2018). History, culture, and region in Southeast Asian perspectives. Cornell University Press.
Wongsothorn, A. (1996). National Profiles of Language Education : Thailand. Pasaa, 26(1), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.58837/chula.pasaa.26.1.11
