Batak Toba (Hata Batak Toba)

Batak Toba is a Southern Batak language spoken by about 1.6 million people in the province of North Sumatra in Indonesia. In particular, it is spoken in the regencies of Asahan, Humbang Hasundutan, Labuhan Batu Utara, Samosir, Simalungan, south Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Utara and Toba Samosir.

Batak Toba is also known as Toba Batak. Native speakers call it Batta or Hata Batak Toba. It is spoken by adults and some children, although young people are shifting to Indonesian, particularly in urban areas.

These days Batak Toba is written with the Latin alphabet, and in the past it was written with the Batak script. It is taught in some primary schools, and there is some written material in the language, including dictionaries, grammars and a translation of the Bible.

Latin alphabet for Batak Toba

Batak script for Batak Toba

Download an alphabet chart for Batak Toba (Excel)

Sample text

Ganup manisia ditubuhon lentes dohot marimbang di bagas tohonan dohot tohap dibagabagahon do di nasida angkal huhut roha jala ingkon mangalalushon taradop sada tudoshon na asing di bagas girgir pardonganon.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample text (The Lord's Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13)

Songon on ma tangiangmuna: Ale Amanami na di banua ginjang! Sai pinarbadia ma Goarmu!
Sai ro ma harajaonmu! Sai saut ma lomo ni roham di banua tonga on songon na di banua ginjang!
Lehon ma di hami sadari on hangoluan siap ari!
Sesa ma dosanami songon panesanami di dosa ni angka na mardosa tu hami!
Unang hami togihon tu pangunjunan! Palua ma hami sian na jahat! Ai Ho do nampuna harajaon dohot hagogoon dohot hasangapon ro di saleleng ni lelengna. Amen!

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/34/MAT.6_1.BTS

Translation

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-6/#9

Sample videos in Batak Toba

Information about Batak Toba | Batak script | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about Batak Toba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toba_Batak_language
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batak_toba
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/bbc

Batak languages

Batak Angkola, Batak Dairi, Batak Karo, Batak Mandailing, Batak Simalungun, Batak Toba

Languages written with the Batak script

Batak Angkola, Batak Dairi, Batak Karo, Batak Mandailing, Batak Simalungun, Batak Toba

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 25.10.22. Last modified: 08.08.24

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