Observations of cross-currents of language change in Melanau

Abstract

Sarawak is situated on the North-West Coast of Borneo. It shares a border with Kalimantan to the South and East of it, while the North and North-West are the states of Brunei and Sabah respectively. The population of Sarawak i made up of several indigenous groups, the largest being the Iban who live mainly in the hilly areas while the others are Bidayuh (Land Dayak), Melanau, Kenyah; Kayan, Kelabit, Punan, Kedayan, and Eisayah. In the 1980 Malaysian census, the population of Sarawak was divided into 7 groups i.e. Malay, Melanau, Iban, Bidayuh, other indigenous groups, and others scattered over 7 divisions (The census was based on the figures obtained from the sever divisions which existed prior to 1987, figures for the two new divisions are not yet available). The classification of the indigenous people is not easy mainly because the lack of clear- cut definitions for the identification of each 'tribe'. Kinship systems are complex and varied; for example, some group are related by 'blood' while others are related by a common language and culture; thus complicating the actual ethnic grouping.