Carnival boosts awareness on Kadazandusun language preservation – Madius

Borneo Post

02-05-2025

Madius presenting appreciation certificates to teachers.
TUARAN (May 2): Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has called for continued efforts to preserve the Kadazandusun language through initiatives such as the Kadazandusun Language Carnival for the Nabalu Zone, held today at SK Tomis.
He emphasised the importance of such events in instilling public awareness about the need to safeguard native languages from extinction, especially among the younger generation.
'This carnival is very important because it reminds us of the need to use our mother tongue in communication. If we do not act now, our native language may disappear,' he said during the event's launch.
Madius cited a UNESCO study, noting that of the 7,000 indigenous languages worldwide, many are at risk of extinction and could become 'dead languages' like Sanskrit or Latin by 2050, with 90% potentially vanishing due to lack of speakers.
He also shared his long and challenging journey in championing the Kadazandusun language, which began in 1986 when he was first elected to the KDCA Supreme Council and later appointed Chair of the KDCA Language and Literature Committee.
One of the major initiatives back then was the development of the Kadazandusun Dictionary and the selection of a standard dialect for use in the Malaysian education system. 'We started in 1986, but it was not easy. Eventually, the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah assigned a research officer — my colleague Alice Jekop — in 1988 to lead the research team. Many others like Ben Topin and Rita Lasimbang also contributed significantly. In short, the dictionary was only published in 1995, nearly a decade later. Thank you to all involved,' he said.
The dictionary was based on an earlier Kadazan dictionary by Fr. Antonissen, with support from various parties, particularly the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). Despite the lengthy process, it was ultimately completed.
The Kadazandusun Language Symposium held at Perkasa Hotel, Kundasang — with financial support from Canadian University Students Overseas (CUSO) — also laid the foundation for uniting the Bundu and Liwan dialects, which now form the core of the modern Kadazandusun language.
Interestingly, Madius noted, 'The year the Kadazan dictionary was printed — 1995 — was also when KDCA and USDA agreed to brand the Bundu and Liwan dialects as Bunduliwan, officially recognised as the Kadazandusun language.'
Today, Kadazandusun is taught as a subject within the national education system. Many have graduated with degrees, master's, and even doctorates in the language, and thousands of students are currently learning it from kindergarten through to secondary school.
As the local MP, Madius expressed full support for teachers in Tuaran working to establish Tinimungan Manampasi Boros Kadazandusun (TIMBOK), a local initiative aimed at strengthening the teaching and learning of the language and providing opportunities for retired Kadazandusun language teachers to continue contributing through writing, research, and other activities.
He extended his appreciation to all involved in organising the carnival, especially the Tuaran District Education Office and SK Tomis as the host.
This year's carnival theme, 'Apasi Boros, Apasi Tinaru' (Cherish the Language, Cherish the Culture), he said, perfectly encapsulates the aim of fostering love for one's own language and culture.
Madius also took the opportunity to wish everyone a joyous Pesta Kaamatan, themed 'Kaamatan for All' this year, highlighting it as a symbol of unity across different backgrounds.
'This celebration is not only culturally significant but also serves as a platform to unite communities and introduce our customs and traditions to the younger generation,' he said.
He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting mother tongue education and promoting cultural programmes to ensure national heritage is not lost over time.
'I believe our unity as a community will bring harmony and strengthen our identity as a people who cherish our culture, customs, and traditions,' he added, congratulating Zon Nabalu and SK Tomis for successfully organising the carnival and urging everyone to play their part in preserving the Kadazandusun language and culture.