Songs can help boost mother tongue mastery
Published on: Friday, November 01, 2019
KOTA BELUD: Composing songs in Dusun which are sung in various platforms can assist the community in their effort to uplift their mother tongue.
Rural Development Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said such songs could help boost the use and mastery of the mother tongue and, at the same time, help to preserve and stop it from going extinct.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The continued existence and use of a mother tongue is a challenge for any ethnic group because many parents prefer to use national language or international language in their communication with their children.
“But with songs composed in the mother tongue and sung to a wider range of listeners, it can become something that the younger generation can follow. They can learn or boost their mastery of the mother tongue through these songs,” he said when officiating at the 7th SabahVfm Song Chart contest final at Dewan Gopog Taginambur in Kota Belud recently.
The contest was organised by Malaysia Broadcasting Department Sabah (Sabah VFM), with the collaboration of Kota Belud District Office and Kadamaian Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) Office.
Ewon, who is also Kadamaian Assemblyman, said those who like composing music and songs can also use platforms like Youtube to show their works.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There are many who have successfully made a name in the entertainment industry through the use of platforms like Youtube. So, I hope the Dusun community especially their younger members can also make full use of all platforms to expose their talents as it can also eventually become a career for them,” he said.
He also welcomed the organising of such contest which was the first time held in Kadamaian as part of the SabahVfm initiative to get closer to its listening community.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I hope this event can be held in Kadamaian again in the future, after the construction of the larger community hall at Kadamaian Square has completed. This hall, equipped with various facilities, will be centre for activities as well as big events like this in the constituency,” he said.
Song entitled “Sopiupus Sopirati” (Loving Each Other) by Sekar Madusa and sung by S Welly and Marlleynney Fane won the top spot in the finals while first and second runner-up goes to Bernard Laimen Michael and Wolny Owen with their song “Kakal Poinggirot” (Still Strong) sang by Gedion Hilarius and song “Ponindualan Nu Montok Dogo” (Your Frustration For Me) that was composed and sung by Frederick Julius himself.
The champion bagged cash RM5,000, while the first and second runner-up gets RM3,000 and RM2,000, plus a certificate and a trophy.
Josue James Lintangan won the Best Song Lyric Writer Award for the song “Pogiombolutan Diti” (This Friendship) that was sung by Cornelia James Lintangan, who also won the Best Performance Award. The Best Vocalist Award goes to S Welly and Marlleynney Fane, while Frederick won the Most Popular Artist.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
All winners received RM1,000, trophy and a certificate.
Principal Assistant Director (Radio Programme), Mohd Yusni Mohd Ali, SabahVFM Manager, Lalita Sundram, Kota Belud Assistant District Officer, Peter Jiton, and Community Development Leader, Saikom Watis, among others, were also present.