5,000,000 (2000 census). Population count imprecise due to vague ethnic and linguistic definition of ‘Betawi’.
Java island, Jawa Barat Province, Bogar, Bekasi, and Karawang regencies including Depok and Bekasi cities; Banten Province, from Tangerang recency and city; dominant in Jakarta special capital territory.
None known. A Malay-based creole distinct from both Indonesian [ind] and other Malay-based pidgins and creoles. It evolved mid-19th century. Unique phonological, morphological, and lexical traits. Influences from Peranakan Indonesian [pea] and Bali [ban]. Often not intelligible to Indonesian speakers not familiar with it (1989 R. Allen).
Functions as a Low variety in a diglossic situation, but has covert prestige when used by the upper class.