Vitality Semasa Bahasa Kedayan di Negara Brunei Darussalam
Authors
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Nurul Husna Mohammad
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
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Yabit Alas
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
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Ashrol Rahimy Damit
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36312/ijlic.v4i1.4531Keywords:
Vitaliti Bahasa, Bahasa Kedayan, Sikap Bahasa, EGIDS, UNESCO-LVEAbstract
Bahasa Kedayan merupakan salah satu bahasa minoriti yang dituturkan oleh masyarakat Kedayan di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Namun, penggunaan bahasa ini semakin berkurangan, khususnya dalam kalangan generasi muda yang lebih cenderung bertutur dalam Bahasa Melayu Brunei atau Bahasa Inggeris. Kajian terdahulu oleh Martin (1995) menganggarkan tahap vitaliti bahasa ini pada tahap 3.0, manakala Noor-Azam (2016) mengandaikan ia menurun kepada tahap 2.0. Walau bagaimanapun, kedua-dua kajian tersebut tidak menyatakan dengan jelas rangka kerja yang digunakan dan tidak membentangkan data lapangan. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai tahap vitaliti semasa Bahasa Kedayan dengan menggunakan soal selidik yang diedarkan kepada masyarakat Kedayan di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Soal selidik ini disusun berdasarkan dua rangka kerja utama, iaitu skala UNESCO-LVE (2011) dan EGIDS (Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale). Data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif bagi mengenal pasti corak penggunaan, sikap bahasa dan persepsi masyarakat Kedayan terhadap pemeliharaan bahasa ini. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa Bahasa Kedayan berada pada tahap 3.0 (Pasti Terancam) menurut UNESCO dan antara tahap 6b hingga 7 (Terancam/Peralihan) menurut EGIDS. Bahasa ini tidak lagi diturunkan secara semula jadi kepada generasi muda dan penggunaannya semakin terhad dalam kehidupan seharian. Kajian ini turut mengenal pasti beberapa faktor yang menyumbang kepada kemerosotan penggunaan Bahasa Kedayan serta mencadangkan Langkah-langkah strategik ke arah pelestarian dan revitalisasi bahasa tersebut.
The Current Vitality of the Kedayan Language in Brunei Darussalam
Abstract
The Kedayan language is a minority language spoken by the Kedayan community in Brunei Darussalam. However, its usage has been in steady decline, particularly among the younger generation who tend to use Brunei Malay or English in daily communication. Previous studies by Martin (1995) estimated the language’s vitality was at level 3.0, while Noor-Azam (2016) later suggested a further decline to level 2.0. However, neither study explicitly stated the framework used, nor did they include empirical data to support their conclusions. Therefore, this study aims to assess the current vitality level of the Kedayan language using a structured questionnaire distributed among the Kedayan speakers in Brunei Darussalam. The questionnaire was designed based on two major frameworks: the UNESCO Language Vitality and Endangerment (LVE) scale and the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS). The data were analysed descriptively to identify patterns of language use, speaker attitudes, and community perceptions regarding the maintenance of their heritage language. Findings indicate that the Kedayan language currently stands at level 3.0 (Definitely Endangered) according to UNESCO, and between level 6b and 7 (Threatened/Shifting) on the EGIDS scale. This language is no longer being naturally transmitted to younger generations, and its use is increasingly limited in daily contexts. This study also identifies several key factors contributing to the language’s decline and proposes several practical strategies for the revitalization and long-term preservation of Kedayan.
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