What language do they speak in Bali?
Don't worry: English is enough in the tourist areas, where it is widely understood. Among themselves, Balinese people speak mostly Balinese, a language with several levels of politeness depending on who you are talking to. Indonesian is the official language and is understood everywhere. Two phrases always go down well: om swastiastu (hello, the Balinese greeting) and terima kasih (thank you).
The island has more than 4 million inhabitants, the great majority of them Hindu, in the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. Most live in the south.
First names tell you birth order: Wayan for the first child, Made for the second, Nyoman for the third, Ketut for the fourth, then the cycle starts again. The result is that you will meet a lot of Wayans and Mades, and no family names to tell them apart. So Balinese people add nicknames: "Wayan Kecil" (little Wayan) and "Wayan Gemuk" (big Wayan). Some parents are more inventive still: there is an I Wayan Radio and a Ni Made Atom.
Balinese people also have a dry sense of humour: when they see a bald tourist, some will joke "bung ujan", meaning the rain has been cancelled.
Tip: a heartfelt terima kasih opens many doors.
Population figures are approximate.