Languages of Sabah and Sarawak find support in peninsular Malaysia
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Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Perak, Malaysia, began offering courses in Kadazandusun and Iban in 2010, aiming to preserve these languages for future generations.
Initially minor programmes within the Malay language and literature department, Kadazandusun and Iban have since expanded into full majors under the Bachelor of Education programme as of 2024. Lecturers like Julita Norjietta Taisin and Saripah Anak Banseng are building a base of qualified teachers and specialists, with students now pursuing advanced degrees in these languages.
Despite the efforts, approximately 65% of the Dusunic community in Sabah, a region of Malaysia, no longer speak their mother tongue, presenting a major challenge. Iban was introduced into schools in Sarawak in 1968 for primary students and 1988 for secondary students, with Kadazandusun following in 1997 and 2006 through pilot projects, but a lack of trained teachers remains a significant obstacle.
Julita and Saripah both emphasize the importance of using these languages outside of the classroom and creating more learning resources, as language loss threatens not only vocabulary but also cultural values and identity. UPSI’s student associations also host activities to introduce Kadazandusun and Iban to students from other ethnic groups, promoting understanding and appreciation of Malaysia’s diverse linguistic landscape.
