Languages and Literature /Contents

Northern Sarawak languages

Asmah Haji Omar

Several distinct minority Austronesian language sub-families and speech systems are spoken in north Sarawak. Whilst fieldwork has provided the basis for describing and classifying the numerous languages in northeastern Sarawak, more research is needed to resolve disagreements about the inter-relationships of these languages and dialects. Migrations, fusions, separations and complex naming practices have all made the task difficult.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Kelabit
  • Kayan
  • Kenyah and Penan
  • Other language communities
Kayan-English dictionary

Southwell's Kayan-English dictionary was the first, and remains the only, to be published.