Bajau, West Coast

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A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3
bdr
Alternate Names
Land Bajaw, West Coast Bajao, West Coast Bajaw
Population

Ethnic population: 55,000 (2000 SIL).

Location

West coast of Sabah, Kuala Penyu to Kudat, north, some east areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, Sama-Bajaw, Sulu-Borneo, Borneo Coast Bajaw
Dialects

Banggi, Kawang, Kota Belud, Papar, Pitas Bajau, Putatan, Sandakan Bajau. More structural diversity than other Borneo languages. Related to but distinct from East Coast Bajau languages of Malaysia and the Philippines, and Indonesian Bajau [bdl] (Pallesen 1977). Less than 65% intelligibility with Southern Sama [ssb]. Papar dialect used in national broadcasting. May be more than 1 language.

Language Development
Radio programs. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bajau, West Coast
Writing
Latin script, developed in about 1998.