u/Edgedancr

I'm currently reading the Babad Kraton (MS 12320), which was composed around 1777, though the part we are concerned with occured about a century earlier, in the late 17th century (Trunajaya war.)

Specifically, it is the part where the Company embassy, having arrived at Tegal from Batavia, is sent to hold an audience with Sunan Amangkurat II (who was in exile). I was astonished when I reached this passage and encountered what appeared to be a piece of dialogue straight from modern Jakarta. I'm not a Javanese speaker so I had to use AI-assisted translation to read this; I thought either I or my translator was misreading it. But I think "arsa bratemu sama lu" could simply be read as "ingin bertemu sama lu", right? Full translation of the three lines, with the help of Claude (Javanese readers, please feel free to correct this):

1. The king was greatly pleased and spoke gently to Mandaraka: "Come — summon them quickly. I wish to see them." Mandaraka bowed, withdrew from the presence, and went swiftly. He arrived at the shore.
2. The Admiral was informed: "Tuwan — you are called by the king. He wishes to meet with you — the King of Mataram." Helduwelbeh followed at once at the rear of Ki Arya Mandaraka. Kadhangkrang and Naba accompanied them.
3. Let us now tell: the Susuhunan had come out to hold court — intending to receive the guests from Jakarta. The forces were fully assembled, ranged in rows. Admiral Helduwelbeh arrived — Mandaraka leading him in.

I already knew that Javanese aristocrats in the Mataram era often adressed their Dutch colleagues using ngoko/low Javanese. If my reading is right, apparently they also code switched to using what we think of as Jakartan (Malay/Hokkien/Betawi) slang with them as well!

As a bonus, this is the scene that comes after, which is low-key pretty funny:

1. mayor kêkalih binêkta | lan kumêndam kapitan samya ngiring | prapta ngarsane sang prabu | sami ngadêg kewala | apan sambi angêmpit tapiyonipun | kagyat kang samya umiyat | sri narendra ngandika ris ||
2. hèh karane Măndaraka | nora gêlêm seba mring jênêng mami | iya Si Walanda iku | umatur Măndaraka | igih gusti apan sampun tatanipun | dhatêng pun gurnadur jendral | mara ngadêg ngêmpit topi ||
3. mèsêm wau sri narendra | Mêrtalaya sigra gènnya marani | Wêlănda cinandhak gupuh | gulune kinon lênggah | sira Amral Hèlduwèlbèh datan purun | durung wruh tataning Jawa | Mêrtalaya mojar bêngis ||
4. apa sira nora wikan | lamun iki anèng ngarsaning gusti | iya Sang Raja Matarum | aranmu latnat[70] kopar |[71] mayor kalih ningali pagêdhenipun | pangrasane dèn niaya | sigra samya marêpêki ||
5. Amral Hèlduwèlbèh mojar | hèh Ki Arya Măndaraka kadipundi |[72] prapta manira puniku | pêkênira kang ngundang | têkèng têmah dèn niaya awak isun | yèn manira tan katrima | pasthi isun bali mulih ||
6. Arya Măndaraka mojar | Mêrtalaya lah sira salah kardi | puniku wus tatanipun | datan bisa asila | Mêrtalaya mundur anulya aluguh | Amral Hèlduwèlbèh sigra | mundur angadêg atêbih ||

This is the rough English translation, with the help of Claude (again, Javanese readers feel free to correct):

1. Two majors were brought along, and commandants and captains accompanying them. They arrived before the king — all standing upright, holding their hats tucked under their arms. Those in attendance were startled at the sight. The king spoke gently:
2. "Mandaraka — what is the reason? This Dutchman will not make obeisance before me?" Mandaraka spoke: "My lord — it is their custom. Before the Governor-General as well, they come standing, holding their hats."
3. The king smiled. Mertalaya went quickly to approach the Dutchmen — seizing them at once by the neck and pressing them to sit. Admiral Helduwelbeh would not comply — he did not yet know the customs of Java. Mertalaya spoke harshly:
4. "Do you not know that you are in the presence of a lord — the King of Mataram? You are cursed infidels." The two majors, seeing their superior being handled, felt he was being abused. They moved forward quickly.
5. Admiral Helduwelbeh spoke: "Ki Arya Mandaraka — what is this? We come here at your invitation — and now I am being assaulted. If I am not welcome, I will surely return home."
6. Arya Mandaraka spoke: "Mertalaya — you are in the wrong." The Dutchman's custom was simply that he could not sit cross-legged. Mertalaya withdrew and took his seat. Admiral Helduwelbeh stepped back and stood at a distance.

TLDR: The Dutch pay their respects by standing and doffing their hats; the Javanese, whose custom was to prostrate before the King, saw this as a mark of great disrespect; one of the King's courtiers harassed the Dutchmen to bowing; the diplomat, Arya Mandaraka, explains that the Dutchmen could not sit cross-legged. Everyone accepts this explanation.