Keeping Kadazandusun and Iban alive for the next generation

In a bid to preserve Malaysia's rich cultural diversity, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Perak, has emerged as a pioneer in offering tertiary programmes in Kadazandusun and Iban. This initiative was launched by Julita Norjietta Taisin in 2010, who joined the university to teach Kadazandusun and help train a new generation of speakers and educators. At the time, these languages were only offered as minor programmes under the department of Malay language and literature.

However, in 2024, UPSI expanded these programmes into majors under its Bachelor of Education, with some students even pursuing master's and PhD degrees. This expansion is crucial as the number of native speakers dwindles, threatening not only the languages themselves but also the expressions, folklore, proverbs, traditional knowledge, and cultural values that come with them.

Despite the progress, a significant challenge remains: a shortage of qualified teachers trained to teach these languages. Julita noted that young people are increasingly not using Kadazandusun in their daily conversations, highlighting the need for more learning materials, applications, and creative digital content in Kadazandusun.

Similar efforts are underway for Iban, with Saripah Anak Banseng, a lecturer at UPSI since 2020, focusing on this language. Saripah, who grew up in a longhouse community in Sarawak, emphasized that a language should not exist in isolation but be used outside the classroom. She sees the potential for Iban to become a medium of instruction in peninsular Malaysia.

These initiatives in UPSI reflect the broader effort to preserve Malaysia's linguistic and cultural heritage. Malaysia Day serves as a reminder that harmony is built through understanding one another's languages, cultures, and histories, not just celebrated on a single day.