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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Malaysia (Sarawak) > Iban

Iban

A language of Malaysia (Sarawak)

ISO 639-3: iba

Population  658,000 in Malaysia (2004). Population total all countries: 694,400.
Region  Sadong River north to Bintulu, Sibu; Sabah, Tawau District, 1 village. Also in Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan).
Language maps  Brunei and Malaysia - Sarawak, reference number 43
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
Language use  600,000 L2 speakers.
Language development  Iban taught in some primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1988.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  Largest language group in Sarawak. SVO. Agriculturalists: dry and wet rice, fruit, rubber; fishermen.

Also spoken in:

Brunei

Language name   Iban
Population  21,400 in Brunei.
Region  Rural areas of Belait and Tutong districts; Temburong District.
Language map  Brunei and Malaysia - Sarawak, reference number 43
Alternate names  Sea Dayak
Dialects  Batang Lupar, Bugau.
 

Indonesia (Kalimantan)

Language name   Iban
Population  15,000 in Kalimantan (Benjamin and Chou 2003).
Region  West Kalimantan Province, Sarawak border.
Language map  Indonesia, Kalimantan, reference number 23
Alternate names  Sea Dayak
Dialects  Batang Lupar, Bugau, Kantu’, Ketungau (Air Tabun, Sigarau, Seklau, Sekapat, Banjur, Sebaru’, Demam, Maung, Sesat).
Language use  Used as language of Catholicism by other-language speakers on Rejang River (2004 J. Collins).
Comments  Traditional religion, Christian.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

SMITH, Karla J., author. 2003. "Minority language education in Malaysia: four ethnic communities' experiences."