Batja
Definition & Context
Verb
A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
A verb referring to the activity of comprehending written content by observing and recognizing phonetic symbols. This word is an archaic form meaning to “utter” or “process” written text. This term serves as an orthographic variant of the modern word baca.
Synonyms & Variants
baca
The act of spelling, pronouncing, or comprehending a sequence of written or printed text.
membaca
To perform the act of reading; to understand the content of written material.
menelaah
To read carefully and thoroughly to understand or investigate something.
mengaji
To read holy scriptures (especially the Qur'an) or to study religious lessons.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word batja is the archaic spelling of baca (to read) under the “Van Ophuijsen” orthographic system, officially adopted in the Dutch East Indies in 1901. Within this system, the /c/ sound was rendered as the digraph tj, transforming baca into batja. This spelling was widely used in colonial-era Malay newspapers, periodicals, and literary works such as Bintang Timoer and Pewarta Deli. Following Indonesian independence, the Van Ophuijsen system was gradually replaced by the Republican Spelling of 1947, and subsequently by the Perfected Spelling System (EYD) in 1972, which standardized the /c/ sound to the single letter c.
Real-world Usage
Dengan kaget sangat saja batja soerat sobat jang datang dari negeri djauh. (Dengan kaget sekali saya membaca surat sahabat yang datang dari negeri jauh.)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
Verified Evidence1
Boekoe Soerat-Soerat (TH. A. Du Mosch) Boekoe Soerat-Soerat (TH. A. Du Mosch)
ImageliteratureVerify Context
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