Parasali: Innovation in Learning Balinese Script, Language, and Literature through Educational Games, Why Not?

Balinese script is an important part of Balinese identity. However, in practice, the use of this script is now limited to traditional, religious or ceremonial environments. In education, learning Balinese script does exist, but its delivery is often considered uninteresting - rigid, textual, and not in line with the learning style of today's youth. Many young people cannot even read or write in Balinese script.

In response to these challenges, the Parasali development team saw an opportunity to combine gaming technology and local cultural learning. With an “edutainment” approach-education through entertainment-Parasali aims to make learning Balinese script more fun, interactive, and relevant to the habits of today's youth.

The Existence of Balinese Script in the Present

Parasali stands for “Paplajahan Aksara, Bahasa, lan Sastra Bali”, which means new digital-based learning media in the form of a website that supports education and revitalization of Balinese language and literature through two-way interactive learning. This form of website was chosen to provide flexibility and ease of access to all levels of society, especially students from various devices owned by simply visiting the web address through a browser, as long as it is connected to the internet. The features in Parasali provide access for users to practice the four basic language skills which include listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with elements of collaborative games to hone critical thinking skills. The elaboration between educational and recreational media is the main reflection of this site.  The game's content is based on authoritative literature in collaboration with the Bali Language Center, to ensure cultural and linguistic accuracy.

TView of the Balinese Satua Feature on Parasali that implements 3 Languages

The main novelty and uniqueness of Parasali is the feature of song lyrics in three languages: Balinese (Balinese script and Latin script) and Bahasa Indonesia. The Gegendingan feature hones Balinese listening and reading skills as well as vocabulary absorption, while the translation of the lyrics into Indonesian helps with comprehension. Other features such as Satua Bali also use both languages. In addition, what differentiates Parasali from other existing apps is that Parasali provides features to learn Balinese script, language and literature in one platform, while similar apps only cover one of these topics.

Parasali presents three main focuses:

1. Balinese script: Players learn to recognize, read, and write Balinese characters through interactive games.
2. Balinese language: Users are introduced to vocabulary and sentence structures in Balinese, adapted to everyday contexts.
3. Balinese Literature: Players are invited to explore the richness of Balinese literature through stories, poems, and proverbs packaged in the form of interactive learning.

Parasali does not only feature teaching content, but is packaged in the form of educational games. One of its flagship features is “Maplalianan”, where players are invited to play while answering questions about Balinese characters. Not only that, users are also presented with other features, namely:

1. Malajah Aksara (Learning the Script)
   

   

   Malajah Aksara Feature View on Parasali

   
   Malajah Aksara Bali provides five basic Balinese script learning options, with audio support for pronunciation instruction and visuals to show how the script is written. The aim is to increase awareness and ability to write Balinese script conventionally, providing examples of script usage in vocabulary as reference.
   

2. Maplalianan (Games)
   

   

   Maplalianan Feature View on Parasali 

   
   Parasali's Maplalian feature provides Balinese language and script learning through three games: Aksara Card, Tebag Aksara, and Terjemah Aksara. Kartu Aksara trains memory by randomly pairing scripts, Tebag Aksara tests accuracy by guessing the name of the script from four choices, and Terjemah Aksara asks users to translate sentences with three levels of difficulty. This feature makes learning more creative, interesting and effective.
   

3. Nyurat Aksara (Script Writing)
   

   

   Display of Nyurat Aksara Feature on Parasali 

   
   The Nyurat Aksara Bali feature teaches how to write Balinese script with digital guidance using number dots. Users follow instructions to write Balinese script correctly, encouraging active participation and self-learning. This feature helps users understand and master Balinese script writing effectively.
   

4. Kasusastraan Bali (Balinese Literature)
   

   

   Display of Parasali's Balinese Literature Feature: (a) Satua, (b) Gegendingan, (c) Short Stories, and (d) Poetry

   
   In the Balinese Literary Case feature, users can gain insight into both Traditional (Purwa) and Modern (Anyar) Balinese Literature. Purwa Balinese literature includes Satua Bali (traditional stories), Gegendingan (traditional songs), and Wimbakara (competitions). The Satua Bali and Gegendingan features allow users to read and listen to stories and songs in Balinese (Balinese and Latin script) and Indonesian with illustrations of Balinese life. This helps to hone listening skills, read Balinese script, understand vocabulary, and speak in Balinese. Kasusastraan Bali Anyar offers short stories and poems in Balinese.
   

5. Bale Aksara
   

   

   Bale Aksara feature on Parasali 

   
   The Bale Aksara feature in Parasali complements language learning with documentation and publication of the use of Balinese script in public spaces such as offices, temples, lontar, inscriptions, schools, and others. This feature supports Bali Governor Regulation No. 80/2018 on the protection and use of Balinese language, script, and literature.
   

6. Basa Bali (Balinese Language)
   

   

   Display of Basa Bali Feature on Parasali: (a) Anggah Ungguhing Basa and (b) Bali-Indonesia Dictionary

   
   The Basa Bali feature makes it easy for users to learn Balinese with the sub-features of the Bali-Indonesia Dictionary from the Bali Provincial Language Center and the Anggah-ungguhing Basa Bali (Balinese levels) guide. Users can find equivalent words in Balinese and Indonesian, thus helping to understand vocabulary and deepen knowledge of Balinese script, language and literature.
   

7. Bebalihan (Spectacle)
   

   

   Display of Bebalihan Feature on Parasali 

   
   In this feature, users are presented with a collection of Wimbakara Bebanyolan (Balinese comedy) videos and Wimbakara Pidarta (Balinese speech) videos which are the result of inventory from the Tunas Bahasa Ibu Festival activities.
   

8. Basita Paribasa Bali (Balinese Proverbs)
   

   

   Display of Balinese Basita Paribasa Feature on Parasali 

   
   This feature presents Basita Paribasa which is one of the local wisdom used when people communicate, in the form of Balinese language style. There are 15 types of Basita Paribasa that can be used as learning references.
   

All of this is packaged in attractive graphics, fun gameplay, and intuitive interactions. The presence of attractive visuals, distinctive characters, and a simple interface make the learning experience more enjoyable and less boring.

The presence of a learning platform in the form of a web-based educational game called Parasali, is expected to be the answer to the challenge of the decline of Balinese language, script and literature. Parasali can be a new potential in Balinese script, language and literature education. This digital-based innovation is expected to be a unique and fun learning tool for the younger generation, especially elementary school children to be more active and increase their interest in learning Balinese language, script and literature. Children are also expected to feel that learning to recognize Balinese characters is no longer a difficult and complicated thing, but a fun activity so that children are motivated to learn, so that this original Balinese culture is preserved.

Parasali is a clear example of how technology can be a bridge between the past and the future. When culture starts to be displaced by globalization, efforts like this become very important. Learning Balinese characters is no longer boring - in fact, it can be as fun as playing games.

So, if you want to learn Balinese characters, why go through boring textbooks? Try playing Parasali at https://parasali.com/ -because learning culture can be as fun as playing a game!

Source: “Designing Educational Game ‘Parasali’ as an Innovative Media for Learning Balinese Script, Language, and Literature Based on Web”, Ida Bagus Mas Manuaba, Information Technology Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Udayana University, Final Project, 2025.