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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Brunei > Brunei

Brunei

A language of Brunei

ISO 639-3: kxd

Population  215,000 in Brunei (1984 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 266,000.
Region  Brunei in the capital, Brunei-Muara District, and the coastal strip; Kedayan in West Brunei-Muara District and Tutong District. Also in Malaysia (Sabah).
Language map  Brunei and Malaysia - Sarawak, reference number 63
Alternate names   Brunei-Kadaian, Orang Bukit
Dialects  Brunei Malay, Kedayan (Kadaian, Kadayan, Kadian, Kadien, Kadyan, Karayan, Kedyan, Kedien, Kerayan), Kampong Ayer. Lexical similarity: 94%–95% between Brunei and the Kampong Ayer dialects, 80%–82% with Standard Malay [zsm].
Classification  Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Sumbawan, North and East, Malayic, Malay
Language use  De facto national language. Vigorous. Used by those in Bandar Seri Begawan and surrounding areas, and by young people and educated older people from different language or dialect backgrounds. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use Malay [zsm].
Comments  Brunei and Kadayan are recognized by the government as indigenous groups. ‘Orang Bukit’ is the people name. Kadayan: agriculturalists; Kampong Ayer: fishermen and craftsmen in Water village. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

Malaysia (Sabah)

Language name   Brunei
Population  51,000 in Malaysia (2000).
Region  Sarawak, 4th, 5th divisions, Upper Balait and Tutau rivers, north coast; Sabah in Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Labuan, Labuk-Sugut, Papar, Sipitang, Sandakan, Tenom districts.
Language map  Malaysia - Sabah, reference number 63
Alternate names  Brunei-Kadaian, Orang Bukit
Dialects  Brunei, Kadaian (Kadayan, Kadian, Kadien, Kadyan, Karayan, Kedyan, Kedayan, Kedien, Kerayan).
Language use  Also use Malay [zlm].
Comments  Regional, not ethnic, dialect variations. Agriculturalists (Kedayan); fishermen (Brunei).
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

MAXWELL, Allen R., author. 2006. "Assessing the epic status of the Brunei Malay Sya'ir Awang Simawn: place names and toponyms."  Available online

MOODY, David C., author. 1984. "The Malayic language family."