I REFER to your report “A language is lost every two weeks” —NST, Sept 27). As a linguist, I am concerned about this language loss, a phenomenon
that is taking place rapidly in many parts of the world. Renowned
linguist and anthropologist David Crystal has also expressed concern about language extinction is his recent book Language Death.

Even in Malaysia, many languages, particularly the native languages of peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak have gone extinct over the years. For example, a report by the Summer Institute of Linguistics states that Sabu, once spoken in parts of Kabong in the Second Division of Sarawak, has vanished. The Mintil language, spoken by the Orang Asli along the Tamun River in Pahang, has only 40 speakers. This language would probably be extinct by now. Likewise, a language called Lotud, spoken by the natives in Tuaran, Sabah, has fewer than 500 speakers now. Native languages are seriously threatened by language death as the numbers of those who speak these languages dwindle. Lan - guage death, as it is called by linguists, is threatening the life of many languages that have few users. Many reasons are cited for the language extinction. Modernisation and migration h ave caused language extinction. Mixed marriages also contribute to language loss. Language also dies when the speakers of one language switch from their language to another language, a common language. For example, the national language is now more widely spoken among the indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak than their own mother tongue. This leads to less use of their native language and the loss of the native language. As the older generations pass away, the language would disappear as the younger generation either cannot speak the language or switch to other commonly spoken languages. The authorities should initiate steps to arrest this language death.

DR S. NATHESAN, Muar

Source: NST – November 11, 2008