Languages of Malaysia (Sarawak)
See language map.Malaysia (Sarawak). 2,185,500 (2004). Information mainly from R. Blust 1974; A. Hudson 1978; C. Rensch 2006; P. Sercombe 1997; A. Soriente 2003, 2005; E. Uhlenbeck 1958. The number of individual languages listed for Malaysia (Sarawak) is 46. Of those, 44 are living languages and 2 have no known speakers.
| Bakati’, Rara | [lra]
11,300 in Malaysia (2000). Population total all countries: 23,300. 1st Division, Lundu, Pasir River, 2 small villages. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Luru.
Dialects: Most closely related to other Bakati’ languages spoken in Kalimantan. Lexical similarity: 46%–50% with Bidayuh languages.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bakati’
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| Balau | [blg]
5,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Southwest Sarawak, southeast of Simunjan.
Alternate names: Bala’u.
Dialects: May be a dialect of Iban [iba].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Ibanic
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| Belait | [beg]
Alternate names: Lemeting, Meting.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, A
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| Berawan, Central | [zbc]
710 (2007). Sarawak.
Dialects: Batu Belah Berawan, Long Teru Berawan. Similar to East Berawan [zbe], West Berawan [zbw].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Berawan, Central-East Berawan
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| Berawan, East | [zbe]
1,100 (2007). Sarawak.
Alternate names: Long Jegan Berawan.
Dialects: Similar to Central Berawan [zbc], West Berawan [zbw].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Berawan, Central-East Berawan
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| Berawan, West | [zbw]
720 (2007). Sarawak.
Alternate names: Berawan, Long Terawan.
Dialects: Similar to Central Berawan [zbc], East Berawan [zbe].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Berawan
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| Bidayuh, Bau | [sne]
29,200 (2000 census). Bau, 1st Division, Sadong, Samarahan, and Lundu rivers. About 50 villages.
Alternate names: Bau-Jagoi, Jagoi, Jaggoi, Sarawak Dayak.
Dialects: Grogo (Grogoh), Stenggang Jagoi, Krokong, Gumbang, Serambau (Serambu, Serambo), Empawa, Assem, Singai (Singgai, Singgi, Singgie, Singhi, Bisingai), Suti, Tengoh, Dongay, Taup (Tahup). Gumbang may be more closely related to Tringgus-Sembaan [trx]. Lexical similarity: 69% with Bukar Sadung [sdo], 53% between Bukar Sadung and Singai dialect.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bidayuh, Core, Western
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| Bidayuh, Biatah | [bth]
63,900 in Malaysia (2000 census). Population total all countries: 72,380. Sarawak, 1st Division, Kuching District. 10 villages. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Bikuab, Kuap, Quop, Sentah.
Dialects: Siburan, Stang (Sitaang, Bisitaang), Tibia. Cannot understand Bukar-Sadung Bidayuh [sdo] Salako [ knx], or other Bidayuh varieties from Indonesia. Lexical similarity: 71% with Singa [sne].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bidayuh, Core, Central
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| Bidayuh, Bukar-Sadong | [sdo]
49,100 in Malaysia (2000 census). Sarawak, Serian 1st Division. 30 or more villages. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Buka, Bukar, Bukar Sadung Bidayah, Sadung, Serian, Tebakang.
Dialects: Bukar Bidayuh (Bidayuh, Bidayah, Bideyu), Bukar Sadong, Bukar Sadung Bidayuh, Mentuh Tapuh. Lexical similarity: 57% with Malay [zsm].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bidayuh, Eastern
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| Bidayuh, Tringgus-Sembaan | [trx]
850 in Malaysia (2007 Z. Akter). Southwest of Kuching, south of the Bau Bidayuh [sne], on Kalimantan border. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Tringus.
Dialects: Tringgus, Mbaan (Sembaan, Bimbaan). Each dialect has a few villages. More similar to Biatah Bidayuh [bth] than to Bau Bidayuh [sne]. Gumbang [sne] may be a Tringgus-Sembaan Bidayuh [trx] dialect rather than a Bau Bidayuh [sne] dialect.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bidayuh, Core, Sembaan
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| Bintulu | [bny]
4,200 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Northeast coast, Sibuti area, west of Niah, around Bintulu, and 2 enclaves west.
Dialects: Could also be classified as a Baram-Tinjar subgroup or as an isolate within the Rejang-Baram subgroup. Blust (1974) classifies as isolate with North Sarawakan. Not similar to other languages.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Bintulu
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| Bisaya, Brunei | [bsb]
20,000 in Malaysia. Limbang and Lawas districts.
Alternate names: Bekiau, Bisaya Bukit, Bisayah, Lorang Bukit, Visayak.
Dialects: Sarawak Bisaya (Bisaya’), Tutong 1.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Sabahan, Dusunic, Bisaya, Southern
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| Bukitan | [bkn]
290 in Malaysia (2000). Kapit, 7th Division.
Alternate names: Bakatan, Bakitan, Beketan, Mangkettan, Manketa, Pakatan.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
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| Iban | [iba]
658,000 in Malaysia (2004). Population total all countries: 694,400. Sadong River north to Bintulu, Sibu; Sabah, Tawau District, 1 village. Also in Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Sea Dayak.
Dialects: Batang Lupar, Bugau, Skrang, Dau, Lemanak, Ulu Ai, Undup. Second Division dialect is norm for literature.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Ibanic
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| Kajaman | [kag]
500 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Central Sarawak, 7th Division, near Belaga on Baloi River.
Alternate names: Kayaman, Kejaman.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
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| Kayan, Baram | [kys]
4,150 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Northern Sarawak, Baram River area.
Alternate names: Baram Kajan.
Dialects: Long Atip, Long Akahsemuka.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kayanic, Kayan Proper
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| Kayan, Rejang | [ree]
3,030 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Rejang, Balui River areas.
Alternate names: Rejang Kajan.
Dialects: Ma’aging, Long Badan, Uma Daro, Long Kehobo (Uma Poh), Uma Juman, Long Murun, Long Geng, Lemena, Lisum. Limited comprehension of Baram Kayan [kys].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kayanic, Kayan Proper
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| Kelabit | [kzi]
1,500 in Malaysia. Population total all countries: 2,140. Northern Sarawak, remotest and highest Borneo mountains. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Kalabit, Kerabit.
Dialects: Pa’ Umor (spoken in Bario), Pa’ Dalih, Long Peluan, Long Lellang, Brung, Libbung, Lepu Potong.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic
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| Kenyah, Mainstream | [xkl]
20,000 in Malaysia (2008). South central, near Kalimantan border.
Alternate names: Bakong, Bakung, Bakung Kenya, Bakung Kenyah.
Dialects: Oga Bakung.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kenyah
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| Kiput | [kyi]
2,460 (Wurm and Hattori 1983). Northeast around Marudi.
Dialects: Long Kiput, Long Tutoh (Kuala Tutoh). Related to Narom [nrm], Lelak [llk], Tutong [ttg], Belait [beg], Berawan languages.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, A
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| Lahanan | [lhn]
350 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Central, east of Belaga, southwest of Long Murum.
Alternate names: Lanan, Lanun.
Dialects: Most similar to Kajaman [kag].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
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| Lelak | [llk]
Extinct. Long Teru and Sungai Bunen (at Loagan Bunut Lake) on Tinjar River.
Dialects: Related to Narom [nrm].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, B
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| Long Wat | [ttw]
600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Northeast, Tutoh River.
Alternate names: Tutoh Kenya, Tutoh Kenyah.
Dialects: Long Wat, Long Labid, Lugat. Not closely related to other languages.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kenyah, Kayanic Kenyah
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| Lun Bawang | [lnd]
24,000 in Malaysia. Sarawak 21,000, Sabah 3,000–4,000. Population for Brunei estimated at 500. Southwest border of Sabah and Sarawak.
Alternate names: Lun-Bawang, Lun Daya, Lun Dayah, Lun Daye, Lun Dayeh, Lun Dayoh, Lun Lod, Lundaya, Southern Murut.
Dialects: Lun Bawang (Sarawak Murut), Lun Dayah, Kolur, Padas, Trusan (Lawas, Limbang), Lepu Potong.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic
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| Malay | [msa]
A macrolanguage.
Population total all countries: 39,144,949.
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| Melanau, Central | [mel]
113,000 in Malaysia (2000 census). Population total all countries: 113,280. 3rd Division, Rejang delta coastal area to Balingian River. Also in Brunei.
Alternate names: Belana’u, Milanau, Milano.
Dialects: Mukah-Oya (Mukah, Muka, Oya, Oya’, Oga), Balingian, Bruit, Dalat (Dalad), Igan, Sarikei, Segahan, Prehan, Segalang, Siteng. Balingian dialect is linguistically quite distinct from others.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
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| Melanau, Daro-Matu | [dro]
7,600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). 4,800 Matu, 2,800 Daro. Matu River from north channel of Rejang River to the sea, Daro and Matu areas.
Dialects: Daro, Matu.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
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| Melanau, Kanowit-Tanjong | [kxn]
200 (2000 S. Wurm). Ethnic population: 500. 3rd Division, Middle Rejang River, below Tanjong.
Dialects: Kanowit, Tanjong.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
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| Melanau, Sibu | [sdx]
420 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Sibu, 3rd Division, Rejang River.
Alternate names: Seduan-Banyok, Sibu, Siduan, Siduani.
Dialects: Seduan, Banyok. May be intelligible with Central Melanau [mel].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
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| Murik | [mxr]
1,120 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Below Long Miri (Banyuq) and below Lio Mato (Semiang) on Baram River.
Dialects: Long Banyuq (Banyuq), Long Semiang (Semiang).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kayanic, Murik Kayan
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| Narom | [nrm]
2,420 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). South of Baram River mouth, Miri area and south.
Alternate names: Narum.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, B
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| Okolod | [kqv]
1,580 in Malaysia (2000). 1,000 in Sarawak, 100 to 200 in Sabah. Sabah southwest of Tenom and Sipitang districts on plantation estates; Padas River headwater area. Primarily in Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Alternate names: Kolod, Kolour, Kolur, Okolod Murut.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut
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| Penan, Bah-Biau | [pna]
450 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Central, 7th Division, Merit, Rejang River areas.
Alternate names: Punan, Bah-Biau.
Dialects: Punan Bah (Punan Ba), Punan Biau.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Rejang-Sajau
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| Penan, Eastern | [pez]
6,400 in Malaysia (2007). Population total all countries: 6,455. Apoh River District, east of Baram River. Also in Brunei.
Alternate names: “Punan”.
Dialects: Penan Apoh. Related to Western Penan [pne], Uma Lasan [xky], but not mutually inherently intelligible.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Penan
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| Penan, Western | [pne]
3,400 (2007). 4th to 7th divisions, upper Baram and Balui rivers, Mt. Dulit area, 3 villages; Nibong branch of Lobong River, a tributary of Tinjar River.
Alternate names: Nibon, Nibong, “Punan”.
Dialects: Nibong, Bok Penan (Bok), Penan Silat, Penan Gang (Gang), Penan Lusong (Lusong), Penan Apo, Sipeng (Speng), Penan Lanying, Jelalong Penan. Not closely related to other languages.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Penan
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| Punan Batu 1 | [pnm]
30 (2000 S. Wurm). Central, west of Long Geng, southeast of Belaga.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo
Nearly extinct.
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| Remun | [lkj]
3,500 (SIL). Serian District, Kuching Division,southeast of Serian to Balai Ringin. 13 villages.
Alternate names: Milikin, Millikin.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Ibanic
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| Sa’ban | [snv]
1,110 in Malaysia (2000). Population total all countries: 1,960. Northeast on Kalimantan border, 4th Division, south of Ramudu, Upper Baram, Long Banga’, Long Puak, Long Peluan. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Merau, used in Kalimantan.
Dialects: Apparently there was a dialect chain in Bahau area (Kalimantan); now a Long Banga’ dialect is developing. In Kalimantan, those living in Tang La’an are influenced by Krayan (Kelabit) [kzi] dialects.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic
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| Salako | [knx]
10,700 in Malaysia (2000 census), increasing. Sarawak census data for Lundu Bidayuhs; Salako are not linguistically Bidayuh, but are referred to as Bidayuh. 1st Division, Saak, Lundu. 22 villages.
Alternate names: Selako, Salakau, Selakau, Silakau, Kendayan, Kenayatn.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Kendayan
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| Sebop | [sib]
1,730 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Northern Sarawak, 4th Division, upper Tinjar River, between Rejang and Baram rivers.
Alternate names: Sabup, Sebob, Cebop, Sibop.
Dialects: Tinjar Sibop, Lirong, Long Pokun, Bah Malei (Ba Mali), Long Atun, Long Ekang (Long Ikang), Long Luyang. Cebop used on the Indonesian side of the border, Sebop in Sarawak.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kenyah, Kayanic Kenyah
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| Sebuyau | [snb]
9,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Lundu, 1st Division, Lupa River mouth, west bank around Sebuyau.
Alternate names: Sabuyan, Sabuyau, Sibuian, Sibuyan, Sibuyau.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Ibanic
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| Sekapan | [skp]
750 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Belaga, 7th Division.
Alternate names: Sekepan.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
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| Seru | [szd]
Extinct. Kabong, 2nd Division.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
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| Sian | [spg]
50 (2000 S. Wurm). Belaga, 7th Division.
Alternate names: Sihan.
Dialects: May be intelligible with Bukitan [bkn], Ukit [umi], Punan Batu 1 [pnm].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
Nearly extinct.
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| Tring | [tgq]
550 (2000). Lower Tutoh River, Long Terawan village.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic
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| Ukit | [umi]
120 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). 7th Division, upper Rajom and Tatau rivers, Baleh.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang
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| Uma’ Lasan | [xky]
1,250 in Malaysia (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Population total all countries: 2,750. Balui, Belaga, Kalua, Kemena rivers. Also in Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Alternate names: Kanyay, Kenja, Kindjin, Kinjin, Western Kenya, Western Kenyah.
Dialects: Uma’ Alim, Uma’ Lasan, Uma’ Baka.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Kenyah, Upper Pujungan
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