Tansi language

Tansi language, derived from the word Tangsi literally 'barracks', is a mixed language which was mainly used by coal miners during the Dutch colonial era in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra. These workers created their language as a result of language contact since this area became a modern mining town. This is the first known mixed language in Indonesia that was born from a labor background and is located in the interior.^[1]

Tansi language originates from language contact with no less than 10 languages, namely Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, Balinese, Bugis, Batak, Chinese, Minangkabau, Dutch, and Malay as the basic lexicon.^[2]

Starting from the discovery of coal deposits in the east of Singkarak in 1851 by C. de Groot and the discovery of coal layers in Ulu Air, in the Batang Ombilin area in 1868 by W.H. de Greve, a Dutch geologist. The previous discovery was strengthened by P. van Diest's research, indicating the coal content in the bowels of the Lunto River hills at least 205 million tonnes and spread along the Ombilin River.^[3]

Seeing the potential for profit, the Dutch East Indies government then realized the exploitation of the coal mine. Even at a considerable cost, a railway line was built from Ombilin in Sawahlunto to Emma Haven Port (Teluk Bayur). This was the early period of Sawahlunto's transformation from a 'rice field in an empty, uninhabited hillside' into a modern mining town.^[2]

The Tansi language emergence itself began with the operation of the Ombilin Coal Mine and the flow of migration from various regions to Sawahlunto. The immigrants came from various regions in the Dutch East Indies and from various European nations who also settled around the mine. The mine workers, especially forced laborers or also called forced laborers, were originally prisoners from the Muaro Padang prison. Because they often escaped, the Dutch East Indies government finally brought in prisoners from prisons in Batavia. These prisoners mainly consisted of Javanese, Balinese, Madurese, and Bugis. They were forced to work digging coal in mining pits. Prisoners who were considered dangerous, especially political prisoners, had their feet, necks, and hands chained. They were called orang rantai or kettingganger 'chain people'. This is what later became the seed of the diversity of the Sawahlunto residents.^[2]

As a medium of communication, a mixed language was finally created which is popularly known as a pidgin language. By the second and subsequent generations of users, the pidgin language is then slowly used as mother tongue. Because this language was formed from its speakers, namely coal miners who live and reside in barracks, this language is called the Tansi language 'barracks language'.

On 10 October 2018, the Tansi language was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.^[4]

Tansi language generally developed and was used in the old city area, namely in Tangsi Rante (where the 'chain people' were known), Tangsi Tanah Lapang, and Tangsi Baru which are located in Air Dingin, until now the descendants of the 'chain people' who live in the Tangsi area still use the Tansi language. Apart from that, there are also scattered Tansi speakers in Tangsi in other areas of Sawahlunto, such as Tangsi Baru, Tangsi Duren, Tansi Sunge Duren, and Tansi Sikalang.^[1]

There are at least two known dialects of the Tansi language, the Pusat Kota Lama dialect (in Lembah Segar; PKL dialect) and the Teras Kota Lama dialect (in Barangin and Talawi; TKL dialect). The PKL dialect has been influenced to a certain extent by Indonesian language, while those who still speak the original Tansi language are the speakers of the TKL dialect.^[1]

The following is an example of a conversation in Tansi, with a dialect that has been mixed with modern Indonesian.

1.pr.: "Ni Risa, mo mana ke?"

(Sis Risa, where are you going?)

2.pr.: "Mo belanja"

(Want to go shopping)

1.pr.: "mana?"

(Where to?)

2.pr.: "Kede, mo titip apa ke?"

(Go to the shop, what do you want to leave?)

1.pr.: "Ndak, aku sangka mo pigi pasar, aku mo titip bayam"

(No, I thought I was going to the market, I wanted to send some spinach)

• Kamus Bahasa Tansi Sawahlunto (2nd Edition) at ResearchGate

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Languages of Indonesia

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Central–Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages

Aru Barakai Batuley Dobel Karey Koba Kola-Kompane Lola Lorang Manombai Mariri Tarangan Ujir Central Maluku Alune Amahai Ambelau Asilulu Banda Bati Benggoi Boano Bobot Buru Geser Haruku Hulaliu Kailolo Pelauw Rohomoni-Kabauw Hitu Hoti † Huaulu Hukumina † Hulung † Kaibobo Kamarian † Kayeli Kowiai Laha Larike-Wakasihu Latu Liana-Seti Lisabata-Nuniali Lisela Loun † Luhu Mangole Manipa Manusela Masiwang Naka'ela Nuaulu Nusa Laut Paulohi Salas Saleman Saparua Seit-Kaitetu Sepa-Teluti Sula Taliabo Teor-Kur Tulehu Watubela Wemale Yalahatan Flores–Lembata Alorese Kedang Lamaholot Adonara Ile Ape Lamalera Lamatuka Levuka Lewo Eleng Lewotobi South Lembata West Lembata Sika Halmahera- Cenderawasih Ambai Ambel Ansus Arguni As Bedoanas Biak Biga Buli Busami Dusner Erokwanas Gane Irarutu Iresim Kuri Kurudu Maba Maden Matbat Ma'ya Munggui Marau Meoswar Mor Papuma Patani Pom Roon Sawai Serui-Laut Taba Tandia Wabo Wamesa Wandamen Waropen Woi Yaur Yeretuar Yeresiam Kei-Tanimbar Fordata Kei Onin Sekar Uruangnirin Yamdena Micronesian Mapia † Selaru Selaru Seluwasan Sumba–Flores Anakalangu Baliledo Bima Dhao Ende Gaura Hawu Kambera Kéo Kodi Komodo Lamboya Lio Mamboru Manggarai Nage Ngadha Palu'e Pondok Rajong Rembong Riung Rongga So'a Kepo' Wae Rana Wanukaka Wejewa Timor–Babar Amarasi Bekais Bilba Dai Dawera-Daweloor Dela-Oenale Dengka East Damar Emplawas Galoli Helong Imroing Kemak Kisar Leti Lole Luang Masela Nila North Babar Ringgou Romang Serili Serua Southeast Babar Tela'a Termanu Tetum Te'un Tii Uab Meto West Damar Welaun Wetar Western Oceanic Anus Bonggo Kayupulau Liki Masimasi Ormu Podena Kaptiau Sobei Tarpia Tobati Wakde Yamna

Papuan languages

North Halmahera Galela Gamkonora Kao Loloda Modole Pagu Sahu Tabaru Ternate Tidore Tobelo Togutil Waioli West Makian Timor–Alor–Pantar Abui Adang Blagar Bunak Kaera Kafoa Kamang Klon Kui Kula Nedebang Oirata Retta Sawila Teiwa Wersing Western Pantar Woisika Asmat–Mombum Buruwai Casuarina Coast Asmat Central Asmat North Asmat Citak Mombum Kamberau Kamoro Koneraw Sempan West Bird's Head Kalabra Kuwani Moi Moraid Seget Tehit South Bird's Head Arandai Dombano Duriankari Inanwatan Kaburi Kais Kemberano Kokoda Konda Kovojab Puragi Yahadian East Bird's Head Hatam Mansim Meyah Moskona Sougb West Bomberai Baham Iha Karas Dani Grand Valley Dani Hupla Nduga Nggem Silimo Walak Wano Western Dani Yali Paniai Lakes Auye Dao Ekari Moni Wolani Digul River Aghu Awbono Bayono Densar Edera Jair Kombai Komyandaret Korowai Mandobo Pisa Sawi Shiaxa Tsaukambo Wambon Foja Range Airoran Bagusa Berik Betaf Bonerif Dabe Dineor Edwas Gresi Isirawa Itik Kapori Kauwera Keijar Kemtuik Kwerba Kwerba Mamberamo Kwesten Kwinsu Mander Massep Mawes Mekwei Mlap Namblong Nimboran Orya Sause Oksapmin Samarokena Trimuris Vitou Lakes Plain Awera Biritai Doutai Duvle Eritai Fayu Foau Iau Kaiy Keuw Kirikiri Kwerisa Obokuitai Papasena Rasawa Sikaritai Tause Taworta Waritai East Cenderawasih Bay Baropasi Bauzi Burate Demisa Kofei Nisa-Anasi Sauri Tefaro Tunggare Woria Yawa Saweru Yawa Demta–Sentani Demta Nafri Sentani Tabla Ok Burumakok Faiwol Iwur Kopka Muyu Nakai Ngalum Ninggerum Tangko Tifal Yonggom Momuna–Mek Eipo Goliath Ketengban Kosarek Korupun Nalca Nipsan Somahai Skou Skou South Pauwasi Biksi-Yetfa Kembra Kimki Lepki Murkim East Pauwasi Emem Zorop West Pauwasi Namla Tebi Tofanma Towei Usku Kaure–Kosare Kaure Kosare Marind–Yaqai Bipim Marind Yaqay Bulaka River Maklew Yelmek Kayagar Atohwaim Kayagar Tamagario Border Awyi Elseng Taikat Manem Sowanda Viid Waris Senagi Dera Mairasi Mairasi Mer Semimi Kolopom Kimaghama Morori Ndom Riantana Yam Ngkolmpu Kanum Rema Smerki Tamer Yei Lower Mamberamo Warembori Yoke Others Abinomn Abun Amung Burmeso Dem Kanum Maklew Maybrat Molof Momina Mor Mpur Sumuri Tambora † Uhunduni

Other languages

Creoles and Pidgins Malay-based creoles Alor Malay Ambonese Malay Banda Malay Balinese Malay Betawi Gorap Gorontalo Malay Kupang Malay Larantuka Malay Manado Malay Makassar Malay Maumere Malay North Moluccan Malay Sula Malay Orang Pulo Papuan Malay Serui Malay Peranakan Surabayan Other creoles and pidgins Arabic-Javanese of Klego Bidau Creole Portuguese † Borgo Flores Creole Portuguese † Javindo Judeo-Manado Malay † Mardijker † Petjo Pidgin Iha Pidgin Onin Portugis † Tansi Pidgin Tukang Besi Immigrant languages Chinese Cantonese Fuqing Fuzhounese Hainanese Hakka Haklau Hokkien Medan Riau Hinghwa Mandarin Teochew European Dutch Indonesian Dutch English Portuguese Indian Bengali Gujarati Odia Pali Punjabi Sanskrit Sindhi Tamil Telugu Urdu Middle Eastern Arabic Indonesian Arabic Hadhrami Arabic Modern Standard Arabic Others Tagalog Filipino Japanese Korean Sign languages Indonesian Sign Languages Kata Kolok

† indicate extinct languages