KUCHING: More efforts must be made to preserve the Melanau language among children of mixed parentage.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this is because the current generation preferred using a language that is understood by both parents.
“Children today don’t use Melanau (to speak at home) but use a language that is conveniently understood by both sets of parents.
“That is why efforts have been made to ensure the language lives on,” she said, adding that the majority of Melanau have migrated, and settled in the city.
“As a result of that, we don’t have pure Melanau, it is a mix … there are Chinese Melanau, Malay Melanau but who do not converse in Melanau.
“There are also different types of Melanau for example Melanau from Matu are different from Melanau Dalat, the language is different,” she told reporters after attending ‘Santuni Kasih Aidiladha eDOK Kuching/Samarahan 2024’ here on Saturday (June 22).
Therefore, Fatimah suggested that the eDOK committee organise small classes on culture, language and history of the Melanau community as a whole.
“This would help children of mixed parentage to speak a little bit of Melanau and I suggest to the younger generation to participate and get to know more about their mother tongue.
“This would also enable them (younger generation) to know about where they come from and also know about the traditional attire of the Melanau community,” she added.
Fatimah also revealed that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has been asked to come up with registered words for the Melanau language from Dalat because the Melanau language from Melanau Mukah and Melanau Matu are different.
She suggested the committee obtain sponsorship from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to create a curriculum and books in the language.
Fatimah said this initiative was once made by the Bidayuh community in Serian and also the Kelabit community in Bario.
“The children in pre-school were also taught about the culture and traditions of their respective tribes.
“In fact, all the teaching materials and the curriculum are made locally to maintain originality,” she said.
