Dictionary compiles 30,000 entries to safeguard cultural identity
AS global languages and modern trends increasingly dominate our daily conversations, a new urgency is driving efforts to save ethnic mother tongues from fading away.
For the Kadazan community in Sabah, these efforts are now being strengthened through the development of the Kadazan-English-Malay Webonary, a digital dictionary that compiles a wealth of native vocabulary on an easily accessible platform.
The initiative, led by Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF) in collaboration with various organisations, associations and educational institutions, sees the Webonary as an easily accessible platform that opens a new dimension in efforts to preserve and develop the ethnic language.
KLF chairman Datuk Philip Lasimbang said preserving one’s mother tongue required collective commitment from the entire community, as the declining use of ethnic languages was becoming increasingly concerning.
“The level of proficiency in the Kadazan language is declining.
“This calls for responsibility from all parties to defend it, because when a language is lost, the people’s identity is lost,” he told Bernama at the launch of the Webonary in Penampang.
The online dictionary, developed as a socio-cultural project to expand access to Kadazan vocabulary, compiles more than 30,000 Kadazan entries and nearly 29,000 Malay entries, marking a significant milestone in the digital development of indigenous lexicography.
The platform was launched by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang MP, in conjunction with International Mother Language Day in February.
Philip said the digital dictionary provided reference materials for higher education institutions, as well as to intensify translation work.
Over its 31 years of establishment, he said KLF remained consistent in driving the development of local ethnic languages in Sabah, including the production of the Timugon Dictionary (Murut language), which took 13 years to complete.
Ewon, when launching the platform, said the Webonary was a living archive and an open learning space towards ensuring cultural continuity.
“It contributes to efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Sabah’s indigenous communities, which is among the important socio-cultural treasures at the national and global levels.
“When we strengthen language, we are in fact strengthening society and identity as indigenous people in this country.
“By strengthening indigenous language resources, we support inclusive education, cultural sustainability and digital equity in line with the aspirations of education for sustainable development,” he said.
