Batak Karo, referred to in Indonesia simply as Bahasa Karo (Karo language), is an Austronesian language that is spoken by the Karo people of Indonesia. It is used by around 600,000 people in North Sumatra. It was historically written using the Batak alphabet which is descended from the Brahmi script of ancient India by way of the Pallava and Old Kawi scripts, but nowadays only a tiny number of Karo can write or understand the script, and instead the Latin script is used.

Sample

Batak Karo

Ope denga ijadiken Dibata doni enda Kata e enggo lit. Kata e ras Dibata, janah Kata e me Dibata

English Translation

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

References

http://www.language-museum.com/b/batak-karo.htm http://www.omniglot.com/writing/batak.htm#karo

Bibliography

• KARO BATAK: PASSIVE, ERGATIVE OR NEITHER?
• ACTOR VOICE IN KARO BATAK

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