Kadazan language won't go extinct: KLF
Published on: Sunday, October 16, 2016
Penampang: The Kadazandusun language will never go extinct because it has entered our education system, is formalised and has been institutionalised. Datuk Philip Lasimbang, Chair of Board of Directors Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF) said this when closing and presenting certificates to 28 teachers who participated in 2-days workshop on the teaching of the language here. "KLF is an NGO who will always work with the education department to enhance the teaching methods and produce reference materials," he added.
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There have been suggestions that the language would go extinct because of the preference even among KDM leaders to speak Bahasa Malaysia or English to their children at home rather than Kadazan.Topics covered during the workshop included phonetic, phonology, orthography and writing system as well as a demonstration of story-telling, recitals of poetry and lullaby.Also present was Officer Germaine Marcella from the local education office who informed that 21 primary and two secondary schools in the district have Kadazandusun language classes.Meanwhile, KLF Executive Director Rita Lasimbang the sole facilitator of the course said the teachers are not only custodians of the language but the best agents of preservation and promotion for wider usage.
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The workshop was another proud moment for Rita because she maybe one of the few ladies whose mother not only comes to watch her perform her job but assist at the same time. Rosina Sogondu aged 80, the matriarch of the Lasimbang family still have a lively memory, full of stories, poems and vocabularies that the younger generation could barely understand. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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On the lack of Kadazandusun reference materials in the internet, Rita informed the participants that examples and recordings of oral arts called "hius, sugandoi, magandai and sololo/kizat" are already found in "Youtube" and more will be uploaded in the near future. In additions, hundreds of Kadazandusun songs with lyrics are already found there, she added.
