Letter "J" in Indonesian?

[RanzoG]

Could someone please set me straight!

I was under some impression that "j" in Indonesian is pronounced like English "y" (as, for example, in Northern European languages' writing). I guess I supposed that had something to do with Dutch influence.

However, I am seeing in the Duo course that "j" is pronounced more or less like English j in "job."

I am just crazy?

And isn't there some other, maybe colloquial, mix-up between j and y sounds?

Thanks!

[Jasonsudana]

Before the switch towards Republic Spelling System (in 1947), "j" is read as "y", meanwhile "dj" is read as "j".

In the Republic Spelling System (1947-today), "j" is read as "j".

However, some brands and names still use "dj", like in Djarum, a brand of Indonesian cigarettes. But in everyday life, "j" is accepted.

Notes: If you are interested, here are the original spelling of some alphabets

U is written as Oe

C is written as Tj

J is written as Dj

Y is written as J

[RanzoG]

Thanks. So, in other words, those are all Dutch spellings.

I think this is the way you'll still see words spelled in the Netherlands. I saw some of that when I was visiting recently.

On the other hand, maybe that is Surinamese spelling?

[Jasonsudana]

Yes, it is used by the Dutch to transliterate Indonesian, so that the Dutch know how to read it correctly.

I don't know about Surinamese spelling though. Probably, you're right.

[JessePaedia]

Under the old spelling the letter 'j' was pronounced as a 'y' sound. However, nowadays, the letter j' is used to represent the 'j' sound in English.

[chaered]

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_Indonesian_Spelling_System

[Semeltin]

Oh, I don't like most of those changes. :/

[RanzoG]

Terima kasih!