Kota Kinabalu: Most Sabah indigenous languages are considered endangered, said Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) Malaysia Executive Director, Dr Timothy Philips.
He said this was partly because some indigenous groups are small in size and there’s also a break in language transmission to the next generation.
Sabah has more than 40 indigenous groups and SIL has helped a number of local language communities, including Tobilung, Kimaragang, Rungus, Dusun Bundu, Dusun Labuk, Sungai Makiang, Sungai Kalabuan, Murut Tahol, Murut Palauan, Lotud and Iranun.
Without naming which indigenous languages are extinct, Philips explained that the indigenous languages will eventually disappear if parents stop speaking them to their children. And the loss of the languages is a loss for everyone.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year. Read more “Why should we be concerned about indigenous languages? In Malay, there is the proverb, ‘hilang bahasa, hilang bangsa’. A people’s language embodies everything that is important to them.
“So much of your culture, so much of your identity is tied on your language so to lose your language is to lose a large part of your identity,” he said at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and SIL Malaysia at UMS Chancellery building, here.
Philips said SIL Malaysia is proud to be working with UMS in its efforts to serve the Sabah people and the nation of Malaysia by helping preserve its languages.
“The renewal of the MoU between UMS and SIL holds great significance as it officially solidifies our enduring partnership. This collaboration fosters productive research and cooperation, expands educational opportunities, and strengthens the indigenous communities and languages of Malaysia, enabling them to flourish using the languages they value most.”
Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor raised his concern over the possibility that some of Sabah indigenous languages will become extinct, especially when the new generation no longer uses their mother tongue in their daily conversation.
“It is not a case of language just for language’s sake: the acquisition of language skills can help to eradicate poverty, promote gender equality, improve maternal and child health outcomes, as well as foster environmental sustainability.”
He hoped that the union between UMS and SIL Malaysia continue to bring benefit to those that need it most, namely the communities fighting to conserve their languages and identities.
“This collaboration is focusing on research, knowledge-sharing, publication, and collaborative conferences on how to maintain and preserve Sabah indigenous languages because in Sabah we are rich in languages and we have more than 43 indigenous groups.
“We do not want Sabah indigenous languages to disappear. Through the joint effort, we hope that Sabah indigenous languages can be documented for example in the form of a dictionary, so that the younger generation can have access to the languages.”
He added that anticipated areas of collaboration include joint supervision of postgraduate students, the engagement of invited SIL examiners for postgraduate programmes, and the delivery of invited lectures, enhancing the academic experience for our students and faculties alike.
“This renewed commitment underscores our shared dedication to academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement.
“Together, we will continue to empower individuals and communities through the preservation and promotion of language and culture.”
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
