Latest news with #KadazandusunLanguage
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Mother tongue not at risk of extinction: UMS don
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 Text Size: Dr Henry said the innovation of basic speech modules requires extra effort to promote mother tongues among ethnic group members, particularly the younger generation. Kota Kinabalu: The rich vocabulary of Sabah's ethnic languages continues to thrive in the daily lives of their communities, providing a strong foundation for developing innovative language learning modules to combat the threat of language extinction. Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr Henry Bating, said the innovation of basic speech modules requires extra effort to promote mother tongues among ethnic group members, particularly the younger generation. 'Language learning innovations are possible because each ethnic group has members trained in language pedagogy. They can contribute significantly to their community's efforts in developing basic guidelines for preserving their native languages,' he said. However, Dr Henry emphasised that initiatives and collective efforts among community leaders and advocates must support the richness of a language's vocabulary and the pedagogical expertise within a community. Dr Henry, who is also the Chairperson of the Kadazandusun Language at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), UMS, made these remarks while reviewing two books published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), 'Rumah Tradisi Kadayan' and 'Bhahul: Puisi Etnik Rungus' during DBP's 69th Anniversary celebration held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The book discussion, moderated by Lailah Elok, also featured the authors of the two books, Jamaidah Yahya and Dr Raymond Majumah. According to Dr Henry, Jamaidah's book on the Kadayan community, predominantly found in Sipitang, Beaufort, and Labuan, highlights numerous nouns, verbs, and adjectives in the Kadayan language, making it feasible to systematically develop Kadayan language learning modules. Meanwhile, Raymond's book showcases the philosophy, worldview, and way of life of the Rungus community, serving as a valuable source for introducing Rungus literature, language, and cultural universality. Also present at the national-level event were DBP Sabah Director Jennitah Noordin, Deputy Director Julianah Kuli, Head of the Publishing Unit Noorzanani Kata, as well as trainee teachers from IPG Gaya and Kent campuses. Dr Henry added that learning ethnic languages can be integrated into cultural preservation efforts, such as those proposed in the Kadayan book, which suggests implementing traditional preservation through homestay business ventures. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Mother tongue not at risk of extinction, thanks to innovative learning modules
Henry Bating KOTA KINABALU (July 9): The rich vocabulary of Sabah's ethnic languages continues to thrive in the daily lives of their communities, providing a strong foundation for developing innovative language learning modules to combat the threat of language extinction. Senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr Henry Bating, said the innovation of basic speech modules requires extra effort to promote mother tongues among ethnic group members, particularly the younger generation. 'Language learning innovations are possible because each ethnic group has members trained in language pedagogy. They can contribute significantly to their community's efforts in developing basic guidelines for preserving their native languages,' he said. However, Henry emphasized that initiatives and collective efforts among community leaders and advocates must support the richness of a language's vocabulary and the pedagogical expertise within a community. Henry, who is also the chairperson of the Kadazandusun Language at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), UMS, made these remarks while reviewing two books published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), 'Rumah Tradisi Kadayan' and 'Bhahul: Puisi Etnik Rungus' during DBP's 69th anniversary celebration held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The book discussion, moderated by Lailah Elok, also featured the authors of the two books, Jamaidah Yahya and Dr Raymond Majumah. According to Henry, Jamaidah's book on the Kadayan community, predominantly found in Sipitang, Beaufort and Labuan, highlights numerous nouns, verbs and adjectives in the Kadayan language, making it feasible to systematically develop Kadayan language learning modules. Raymond's book showcases the philosophy, worldview and way of life of the Rungus community, serving as a valuable source for introducing Rungus literature, language and cultural universality. Also present at the national-level event were DBP Sabah director Jennitah Noordin, deputy director Julianah Kuli, Publishing Unit head Noorzanani Kata, as well as trainee teachers from IPG Gaya and Kent campuses. Henry added that learning ethnic languages can be integrated into cultural preservation efforts, such as those proposed in the Kadayan book, which suggests implementing traditional preservation through homestay business ventures.
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
What began in 1986 must continue, Madius on preservation of Kadazandusun language
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Madius presenting appreciation certificates to Kadazandusun language teachers. Tuaran: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau welcomed efforts to strengthen the preservation of the Kadazandusun Language through initiatives such as the Kadazandusun Language Carnival for the Nabalu Zone held at SK Tomis, here. He said events like these are vital in raising public awareness about the importance of safeguarding the mother tongue from extinction, particularly among the younger generation. Advertisement 'This carnival is very important as it reminds us of the need to use our mother tongue in communication. If we do not act now, our language may one day disappear,' he said when officiating the event, recently. Madius said studies by Unesco revealed there are around 7,000 indigenous languages at risk of extinction, which may eventually become dead languages due to the absence of speakers. By the year 2050, 90 per cent of these languages are expected to be extinct – much like Sanskrit and Latin. He also shared his long and challenging journey in advocating for the Kadazandusun language, which began in 1986 when he was first elected as a Supreme Council Member of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), later becoming Chairman of the KDCA Language and Literature Committee. Among the main efforts initiated during that time was the development of the Kadazandusun Language Dictionary and the selection of a standard dialect to be used within the Malaysian education system. 'We began in 1986, but it was no easy task. Eventually, the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah appointed a Research Officer – my colleague Alice Jekop – in 1988 to lead the research team. 'Many contributed their efforts, including Ben Topin, Rita Lasimbang and others. The dictionary was only published in 1995, nearly 10 years later and thanks to everyone involved. 'The dictionary was based on the Kadazan dictionary by Fr Antonissen, with the support of various parties, especially the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). Although it took a long time, it was finally completed,' he said. The Kadazandusun Language Symposium held at Perkasa Hotel, Kundasang – supported by Canadian University Students Overseas (Cuso) – also laid the foundation for unifying the Bundu and Liwan dialects, which today form the basis of the Kadazandusun Language. 'It's quite remarkable that in the same year the Kadazan dictionary was printed – 1995 – an agreement was reached between KDCA and USDA to formalise the combination of the 'Bundu' and 'Liwan' dialects into what is now known as the 'Bunduliwan' dialect, officially branded as the Kadazandusun Language. 'Today, Kadazandusun is taught as a subject within the national education system. Many have graduated with specialisations in the language at PhD, Master's and Bachelor's levels, and thousands of students are currently learning it from kindergarten and Year One right up to SPM level,' said Madius. He expressed full support for efforts of teachers in the district to establish Tinimungan Manampasi Boros Kadazandusun (Timbok) – an initiative to strengthen the teaching and learning of the language, while also providing opportunities for retired Kadazandusun language teachers to remain actively involved in writing, research, and other activities to preserve the language. He said this year's carnival theme Apasi Boros, Apasi Tinaru (Appreciate Language, Appreciate Culture), was highly appropriate in nurturing a love for one's own language and culture. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
