Keeping Kadazandusun and Iban alive for the next generation

Malaysia is renowned for its cultural diversity, boasting 137 living languages, with approximately 70% of them originating from Borneo. However, many indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing, with an estimated 65% of Sabah's Dusunic community no longer fluent in their native tongue. In 2010, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), located in Tanjong Malim, Perak, became the first institution in the country to offer tertiary programs in Kadazandusun and Iban. Julita Norjietta Taisin joined UPSI that year to teach Kadazandusun, her area of expertise.

In 2024, UPSI expanded these programs to include Semai, offering them as majors within its Bachelor of Education programme. Some students are now pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, contributing to a larger pool of teachers and specialists in these languages. Despite these efforts, there remains a significant challenge: the shortage of qualified teachers specifically trained to teach these languages.

Julita, originally from Tuaran, Sabah, has observed a decline in young people using Kadazandusun in their daily conversations. She emphasizes the need for more learning materials, applications, and creative digital content in Kadazandusun to maintain cultural and linguistic identity. Saripah Anak Banseng, a lecturer at UPSI specializing in Iban, grew up in a Sarawakian longhouse community.

She highlights the importance of using languages beyond the classroom, suggesting that one day, Iban could potentially become a medium of instruction in peninsular Malaysia.