Penan, Western

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A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3
pne
Alternate Names
Nibon, Nibong, “Punan” (pej.)
Population

3,400 (2007 SIL).

Location

Sarawak, 4th to 7th divisions, upper Baram and Balui rivers, Mount Dulit area, 3 villages; Nibong branch of Lobong river, a tributary of Tinjar river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Penan
Dialects

Bok Penan (Bok), Jelalong Penan, Nibong, Penan Apo, Penan Gang (Gang), Penan Lanying, Penan Lusong (Lusong), Penan Silat, Sipeng (Speng). Not closely related to other languages.

Language Development
NT: 1974.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Penan, Western
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Traditionalists are nomadic and seminomadic.