Malaysia

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (1996, Education Act, No. 550, Articles 2 and 18). Recent census figures do not detail the number of Mandarin speakers.

English

[eng] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (1957, Constitution, Articles 152(2) through 152(5)). 380,000 in Malaysia (Crystal 2003), increasing.

Malay, Standard

[zsm] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1963, Constitution (amended), Article 153A(1)). Few L1 speakers. L2 includes most Malaysian population.

2 (Provincial)

Chinese, Yue

[yue] 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Johor State. 1,070,000 in Malaysia (2000 census).

3 (Wider communication)

Chinese, Min Nan

[nan] 3 (Wider communication). 2,660,000 in Malaysia (2000). 497,000 Teochew, 141,000 Hainanese, 2,020,000 Hokkien (2000).

Iban

[iba] 3 (Wider communication). 658,000 in Malaysia (2004). Population total all countries: 694,400.

Malay

[zlm] 3 (Wider communication). 10,500,000 in Malaysia (2004 census). 10 million in Peninsular Malaysia, 506,000 in Sarawak, and 30,000 in Labuan. Population total all countries: 15,848,500.

Malay, Kedah

[meo] 3 (Wider communication). 2,600,000 in Malaysia (2004).

Malay, Sabah

[msi] 3 (Wider communication). Mostly second-language speakers, but growing number of L1 speakers.

Melanau, Central

[mel] 3 (Wider communication). 113,000 in Malaysia (2000 census). Population total all countries: 113,280.

4 (Educational)

Tamil

[tam] 4 (Educational). Statutory language of national identity (1996, Education Act, No. 550, Articles 2 and 18). 3,780,000 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006). Does not include 8,730 Sri Lankan Tamil. Ethnic population: 1,396,000 (2000).

5 (Developing)

Bakati’, Rara

[lra] 5 (Developing). 11,300 in Malaysia (2000). Population total all countries: 23,300.

Berawan, Central

[zbc] 5 (Developing). 1,500 (2010 SIL).

Bidayuh, Bau

[sne] 5 (Developing). 29,200 (2000 census).

Bidayuh, Biatah

[bth] 5 (Developing). 63,900 in Malaysia (2000 census). Population total all countries: 72,380.

Bidayuh, Bukar-Sadong

[sdo] 5 (Developing). 49,100 in Malaysia (2000 census).

Brunei

[kxd] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 51,000 (2000 SIL).

Bugis

[bug] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 17,800 (2000 SIL).

Javanese

[jav] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 300,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kadazan, Coastal

[kzj] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 60,000 (1986 SIL).

Kayan, Baram

[kys] 5 (Developing). 4,150 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kensiu

[kns] 5 (Developing). Population total all countries: 300. Ethnic population: 220 (2008 JHEOA).

Lun Bawang

[lnd] 5 (Developing). 24,000 in Malaysia (1982 SIL). Sarawak 21,000, Sabah 3,000–4,000.

Malaysian Sign Language

[xml] 5 (Developing). 24,000.

Mapun

[sjm] 5 (Developing). 15,000 in Malaysia (2011 SIL).

Molbog

[pwm] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 6,680 (1990 census).

Sama, Balangingih

[sse] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 4,000 (2000 SIL).

Semai

[sea] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 42,400 (2008 JHEOA).

Tausug

[tsg] 5 (Developing). 150,000 in Malaysia (2000 SIL).

Yakan

[yka] 5 (Developing). Ethnic population: 1,000 (2000 SIL).

6a (Vigorous)

Banjar

[bjn] 6a (Vigorous). 2,300 in Malaysia (2000 SIL).

Chinese, Min Dong

[cdo] 6a (Vigorous). 252,000 in Malaysia (2004).

Ida’an

[dbj] 6a (Vigorous). Population includes 1,500 Begak. Ethnic population: 5,500 (2000 SIL).

Iranun

[ill] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 in Malaysia (2000 SIL).

Jah Hut

[jah] 6a (Vigorous). Ethnic population: 3,760 (2008 JHEOA).

Kenyah, Mainstream

[xkl] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 in Malaysia (2008).

Salako

[knx] 6a (Vigorous). 10,700 in Malaysia (2000 census).

Semaq Beri

[szc] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (Bradley 2007). Ethnic population: 3,970 (2008 JHEOA).

Temiar

[tea] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 (Bradley 2007). Ethnic population: 24,900 (2008 JHEOA).

Tidong

[tid] 6a (Vigorous). Ethnic population: 20,000 in Sabah (2000 SIL).

6b (Threatened)

Bajau, West Coast

[bdr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 55,000 (2000 SIL).

Balau

[blg] 6b (Threatened). 5,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Batek

[btq] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2006 JHEOA), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,160 (2008 JHEOA).

Berawan, East

[zbe] 6b (Threatened). 1,100 (2010 SIL).

Berawan, West

[zbw] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2010 SIL).

Bidayuh, Tringgus-Sembaan

[trx] 6b (Threatened). 850 in Malaysia (2007 Z. Akter).

Bintulu

[bny] 6b (Threatened). 4,200 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Bisaya, Brunei

[bsb] 6b (Threatened). 20,000 in Malaysia (2007 SIL).

Bisaya, Sabah

[bsy] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 15,800 (2000).

Bonggi

[bdg] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,400 (1990 UBS).

Bookan

[bnb] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,700 (2000 SIL).

Bukitan

[bkn] 6b (Threatened). 290 in Malaysia (2000).

Cheq Wong

[cwg] 6b (Threatened). 460 (2008 JHEOA).

Chinese, Hakka

[hak] 6b (Threatened). 1,090,000 in Malaysia (2000).

Chinese, Pu-Xian

[cpx] 6b (Threatened). 24,700 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006). Ethnic population: 24,700 in Peninsular Malaysia (2000 census).

Dumpas

[dmv] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,100 (2000).

Dusun, Central

[dtp] 6b (Threatened). 141,000 (1991 SIL). 50,000 Ranau (1989 UBS), 70,000 Bundu (1990 UBS), perhaps 500 Kuala Monsok Dusun (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Dusun, Sugut

[kzs] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 12,200 (2000).

Dusun, Tambunan

[kzt] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 15,600 (2000).

Dusun, Tempasuk

[tdu] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 6,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Jakun

[jak] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 25,000, (2008 JHEOA).

Jehai

[jhi] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 in Malaysia (2006). Ethnic population: 1,660 (2008 JHEOA).

Kadazan, Klias River

[kqt] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (1984 SIL). Ethnic population: 1000 (1984 SIL).

Kadazan, Labuk-Kinabatangan

[dtb] 6b (Threatened). 14,000–16,000 Labuk (1987 SIL); 7,000–8,000 Sungai (1982 SIL). Ethnic population: 20,600 (2000 SIL).

Kajaman

[kag] 6b (Threatened). 500 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kalabakan

[kve] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 2,230 (2000).

Kayan, Rejang

[ree] 6b (Threatened). 3,030 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kelabit

[kzi] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 in Malaysia (2011 SIL). Population total all countries: 4,640. Ethnic population: 5,000.

Keningau Murut

[kxi] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 to 1,200 Dusun Murut (1985 SIL). Ethnic population: 7,000 (2000).

Kenyah, Wahau

[whk] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 in Malaysia (2007 A. Soriente).

Kimaragang

[kqr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 25,000 (2007 SIL).

Kinabatangan, Upper

[dmg] 6b (Threatened). 500 Dusun Segama and 800–900 Sinabu’ (1985 SIL). Ethnic population: 5,000 (2000 SIL).

Kintaq

[knq] 6b (Threatened). 110 in Malaysia (2008 JHEOA). Population total all countries: 111. Ethnic population: 240 (Bradley 2007).

Kiput

[kyi] 6b (Threatened). 2,460 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kota Marudu Talantang

[grm] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,800 (2000).

Kota Marudu Tinagas

[ktr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,250 (1985 SIL).

Kuijau

[dkr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 7,910 (2000).

Lahanan

[lhn] 6b (Threatened). 350 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Lanoh

[lnh] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 240 (2008 JHEOA).

Lobu, Lanas

[ruu] 6b (Threatened). 2,000 in Lobu, 800 in Rumanau. Ethnic population: 2,800 (1986 SIL).

Lobu, Tampias

[low] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,800 (1985 SIL).

Long Wat

[ttw] 6b (Threatened). 600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Lotud

[dtr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 5,000 (1985 SIL).

Mah Meri

[mhe] 6b (Threatened). 2,990 (2003 COAC). Ethnic population: 3,680 (2008 JHEOA).

Malay, Cocos Islands

[coa] 6b (Threatened). Population total all countries: 1,000. Ethnic population: 4,000 (2000 SIL).

Melanau, Daro-Matu

[dro] 6b (Threatened). 7,600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). 4,800 Matu, 2,800 Daro.

Melanau, Kanowit-Tanjong

[kxn] 6b (Threatened). 200 (Wurm 2000). Ethnic population: 500.

Minokok

[mqq] 6b (Threatened). 1,200 (2007 SIL).

Minriq

[mnq] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 270 (2008 JHEOA).

Narom

[nrm] 6b (Threatened). Population includes about 1,000 Bakong, 1,000 Dali’, and 1,000 Miri’ (2012 SIL). Ethnic population: 4,000.

Negeri Sembilan Malay

[zmi] 6b (Threatened). Used as L1 by many inhabitants of Negeri Sembilan State (2011 K. Anderbeck). Ethnic population: 507,500 (2004).

Okolod

[kqv] 6b (Threatened). 1,580 in Malaysia (2000). 1,000 in Sarawak, 100 to 200 in Sabah.

Orang Seletar

[ors] 6b (Threatened). Population total all countries: 880. Ethnic population: 1,250 (2008 JHEOA).

Paluan

[plz] 6b (Threatened). 55,000 (2000 SIL).

Papar

[dpp] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,000 (2000).

Penan, Bah-Biau

[pna] 6b (Threatened). 450 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Penan, Eastern

[pez] 6b (Threatened). 10,000 in Malaysia (2011 SIL). Population total all countries: 10,055.

Penan, Western

[pne] 6b (Threatened). 3,400 (2007 SIL).

Remun

[lkj] 6b (Threatened). 3,500 (2000 SIL).

Rungus

[drg] 6b (Threatened). 55,000 (2009 PCS). Ethnic population: 60,000.

Sa’ban

[snv] 6b (Threatened). 1,110 in Malaysia (2000). Population total all countries: 1,960.

Sama, Southern

[ssb] 6b (Threatened). 15,000 in Malaysia (2005 C. Soderberg). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 119,000 (2000 SIL). 6,000 Sikubung, 15,000 Bajau Laut, 13,000, Bajau Ubian, 700 Bajau Banaran, 9,000 Sibutu, 14,500 Bajau Simunul, 61,000 Bajau Kubang (or Bajau Semporna).

Sebop

[sib] 6b (Threatened). 1,730 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Sebuyau

[snb] 6b (Threatened). 9,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Sekapan

[skp] 6b (Threatened). 750 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Selungai Murut

[slg] 6b (Threatened). 600 in Malaysia (2000). Ethnic population: 600–800 (2000 SIL).

Sembakung Murut

[sbr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 2,000–3,000 in Sabah (2000 SIL).

Semelai

[sza] 6b (Threatened). 4,100 (Kruspe 2009). Ethnic population: 6,270 (2008 JHEOA).

Semnam

[ssm] 6b (Threatened). 670 (2000).

Serudung Murut

[srk] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 350–450 (2000 SIL).

Tagal Murut

[mvv] 6b (Threatened). Population total all countries: 2,000. Ethnic population: 13,000–14,000 (2000 SIL).

Tatana

[txx] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 5,500 (1982 SIL).

Temuan

[tmw] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 22,700 (2008 JHEOA).

Timugon Murut

[tih] 6b (Threatened). 1,200–1,700 in Beaufort Murut (1982 SIL). Ethnic population: 7,000–8,000 (2000 SIL).

Tobilung

[tgb] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 8,850 (2007 A. Ripau).

Tombonuo

[txa] 6b (Threatened). 3,000 Lingkabau. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2000 SIL).

Tonga

[tnz] 6b (Threatened). 15 in Malaysia (2007).

Tring

[tgq] 6b (Threatened). 550 (2000).

Ukit

[umi] 6b (Threatened). 120 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Uma’ Lasan

[xky] 6b (Threatened). 1,250 in Malaysia (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Population total all countries: 2,750.

Wolio

[wlo] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 520 (1999 SIL).

7 (Shifting)

Abai Sungai

[abf] 7 (Shifting). Ethnic population: 500 (2000 SIL).

Belait

[beg] 7 (Shifting).

Gana

[gnq] 7 (Shifting). Ethnic population: 1,000–2,000 (2000 SIL).

Melanau, Sibu

[sdx] 7 (Shifting). 420 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Sian

[spg] 7 (Shifting). 50 (Wurm 2000).

8a (Moribund)

Duano

[dup] 8a (Moribund). 600 in Malaysia (2007 SIL). Few, if any, monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,010 (2008 JHEOA).

Malaccan Creole Malay

[ccm] 8a (Moribund). Ethnic population: 300.

Malaccan Creole Portuguese

[mcm] 8a (Moribund). 2,150 (Bradley 2007). Ethnic population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007).

Malay, Baba

[mbf] 8a (Moribund). 2,000 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006).

Mintil

[mzt] 8a (Moribund). 180 (2005 Lye Tuck-Po).

Murik

[mxr] 8a (Moribund). 1,120 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Penang Sign Language

[psg] 8a (Moribund). 1,000, decreasing. 150 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 2,000.

Selangor Sign Language

[kgi] 8a (Moribund). 500.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Orang Kanaq

[orn] 8b (Nearly extinct). Ethnic population: 160 (JHEOA).

Punan Batu 1

[pnm] 8b (Nearly extinct). 30 (Wurm 2000).

Temoq

[tmo] 8b (Nearly extinct).

9 (Dormant)

Sabüm

[sbo] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers.

10 (Extinct)

Lelak

[llk] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Seru

[szd] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Ethnologue

Malaysia

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