Malaysia

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (1996, Education Act, No. 550, Articles 2 and 18). 1,230,000 in Malaysia, all users. L1 users: Recent census figures do not detail the number of Mandarin speakers. L2 users: 1,230,000 (2015).

English

[eng] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (1957, Constitution, Articles 152(2) through 152(5)). 10,383,900 in Malaysia, all users. L1 users: 83,900 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), increasing, based on ethnicity. L2 users: 10,300,000 (2020).

Malay, Standard

[zsm] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1963, Constitution (amended), Article 153A(1)). Few L1 speakers. L2 includes most Malaysian population.

3 (Wider communication)

Chinese, Yue

[yue] 3 (Wider communication). The main lingua france among the Chinese in the cities and towns of central Peninsular Malaysia. 1,460,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 3,220,000 (2014).

Iban

[iba] 3 (Wider communication). Spoken from Serian Division in the south west to Limbang Division in the north east in the domains of market, church, business, and media. 1,452,000 in Malaysia, all users. L1 users: 752,000 in Malaysia (2013 SIL), including 2,300 in 2 villages in Sabah (2013 A. Maraining). L2 users: 700,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,482,800 (as L1: 782,800; as L2: 700,000).

Malay, Kedah

[meo] 3 (Wider communication). 2,600,000 in Malaysia (2004).

Malay, Sabah

[msi] 3 (Wider communication). Used throughout the state of Sabah in virtually all non-formal domains. Estimated more than half (60%) of Sabah population, and almost all other language groups use Sabah Malay. 3,000,000 (2013 SIL), all users. L1 users: Mostly second-language speakers, but growing number of L1 speakers (2015 J. K. L. Wong). Ethnic population: No ethnic community (2015 J.K.L. Wong).

Semai

[sea] 3 (Wider communication). The lingua franca of the Malaysian Aslian military armed forces unit (Bradley 2007a). 45,000 (2020 G. Benjamin).

Temiar

[tea] 3 (Wider communication). Used as a lingua franca by many northern Aslian groups (Bradley 2007a). 32,000 (2020 G. Benjamin).

4 (Educational)

Tamil

[tam] 4 (Educational). Statutory language of national identity (1996, Education Act, No. 550, Articles 2 and 18). 1,890,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

5 (Developing)

Malay

[zlm] 5* (Developing). 13,500,000 in Malaysia, all users. L1 users: 10,500,000 in Malaysia (2004 census). 10 million in Peninsular Malaysia, 506,000 in Sarawak, and 30,000 in Labuan. L2 users: 3,000,000. Total users in all countries: 19,185,470 (as L1: 16,185,470; as L2: 3,000,000).

Sama, Balangingih

[sse] 5* (Developing). 5,000 in Malaysia (2013 SIL).

Sama, Central

[sml] 5* (Developing). 15,000 in Malaysia (2000 C. Soderberg).

Molbog

[pwm] 5 (Developing). 2,500 in Malaysia (2015 T. Imam Tuah). 250 monolinguals (2015 T. Imam Tuah). Ethnic population: 2,500 (2015 T. Imam Tuah).

6a (Vigorous)

Bakati’, Rara

[lra] 6a (Vigorous). 11,300 in Malaysia (2000). Total users in all countries: 23,300.

Chinese, Min Nan

[nan] 6a* (Vigorous). 3,500,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 6,410,000 (2014).

Chinese, Pu-Xian

[cpx] 6a (Vigorous). 24,700 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006). Ethnic population: 24,700 (2000 census). In Peninsular Malaysia.

Jah Hut

[jah] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 3,760 (2008 JHEOA).

Kensiu

[kns] 6a (Vigorous). 250 in Malaysia (2015 N. Bishop). Total users in all countries: 259.

Malaysian Sign Language

[xml] 6a (Vigorous). 58,700 (2013 census). Approximately 0.2% of total population.

Murut, Selungai

[slg] 6a (Vigorous). 600 in Malaysia (2000 SIL). Ethnic population: 600 (2000 SIL).

Punan Bah-Biau

[pna] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 (2020 Punan National Association).

Salako

[knx] 6a (Vigorous). 10,700 in Malaysia (2000 census).

Semaq Beri

[szc] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 3,970 (2008 JHEOA).

6b (Threatened)

Bajau, West Coast

[bdr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 210,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 10,700.

Batek

[btq] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2006 JHEOA), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,160 (2008 JHEOA).

Berawan, East

[zbe] 6b (Threatened). 1,100 (2010 SIL).

Berawan, West

[zbw] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2010 SIL).

Bidayuh Serian

[sdo] 6b (Threatened). 49,100 in Malaysia (2000 census).

Bidayuh, Bau

[sne] 6b (Threatened). 29,200 in Malaysia (2000 census).

Bidayuh, Biatah

[bth] 6b (Threatened). 63,900 in Malaysia (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 72,380.

Bidayuh, Tringgus-Sembaan

[trx] 6b (Threatened). 850 in Malaysia (2007 Z. Akter).

Bintulu

[bny] 6b* (Threatened). 4,200 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Bisaya, Brunei

[bsb] 6b* (Threatened). 20,000 in Malaysia (2007 SIL).

Bisaya, Sabah

[bsy] 6b (Threatened). No monolinguals (2015 S.A. Luken). Ethnic population: 70,000 (2015 Sabah Bisaya Cultural Association).

Bonggi

[bdg] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,400 (1990 UBS).

Brunei

[kxd] 6b (Threatened). 51,000 in Malaysia (2013 SIL), decreasing. 35,000 monolinguals (2015 S. Damit). Ethnic population: 350,000 (2014 census).

Bugis

[bug] 6b (Threatened). 17,800 in Malaysia (2000 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 138,000 (2015 A. Supeno).

Bukitan

[bkn] 6b (Threatened). 290 in Malaysia (2000).

Cheq Wong

[cwg] 6b (Threatened). 460 (2008 JHEOA).

Chinese, Hakka

[hak] 6b (Threatened). 1,810,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Chinese, Min Dong

[cdo] 6b (Threatened). 252,000 in Malaysia (2004).

Ida’an

[dbj] 6b (Threatened). 10,000 (2013 SIL). Population includes 2,500 Begak. Ethnic population: 15,000 (2015 Pertubuhan Kebajikan Idahan Pewaris Madai, Lahad Datu (PEWARIS)).

Iranun

[ilm] 6b (Threatened). 22,000 (2015 I. Sidik), decreasing. Ethnic population: 30,000 (Pugh-Kitingan and Mulia 1996).

Jakun

[jak] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 25,000 (2008 JHEOA).

Jehai

[jhi] 6b (Threatened). 1,250 in Malaysia (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Ethnic population: 1,660 (2008 JHEOA).

Kadazan Dusun

[dtp] 6b (Threatened). 264,000 (2010 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 556,000 (2010 census). Increasing.

Kadazan, Klias River

[kqt] 6b (Threatened). 800 (2015 E. Ampai), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,000 (2015 E. Ampai).

Kajaman

[kag] 6b (Threatened). 500 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kayan, Baram

[kys] 6b (Threatened). 4,150 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kayan, Rejang

[ree] 6b (Threatened). 3,030 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Kelabit

[kzi] 6b* (Threatened). 4,000 in Malaysia (2011 SIL). Ethnic population: 5,000. Total users in all countries: 4,640.

Kenyah, Mainstream

[xkl] 6b (Threatened). 40,000 in Malaysia (2013 SIL).

Kenyah, Wahau

[whk] 6b* (Threatened). 1,000 in Malaysia (2007 A. Soriente).

Kimaragang

[kqr] 6b (Threatened). 10,000 (Kroeger 2005), decreasing. Ethnic population: 25,000 (2007 SIL).

Kinabatangan, Upper

[dmg] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2015 L. Rose).

Kintaq

[knq] 6b (Threatened). 110 in Malaysia (2008 JHEOA). Ethnic population: 240 (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 111.

Kiput

[kyi] 6b (Threatened). 450 (Blust 2002).

Kota Marudu Talantang

[grm] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,800 (2000).

Kuijau

[dkr] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 7,910 (2000 S. Maduli).

Lahanan

[lhn] 6b (Threatened). 350 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Ethnic population: 700 (Alexander and Alexander 2002).

Lanoh

[lnh] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 240 (2008 JHEOA).

Lobu, Lanas

[ruu] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (2015 P. Porodong), decreasing. No monolinguals (2015 P. Porodong). Ethnic population: 5,000 (2015 P. Porodong). 3,500 Lobu, 1,500 Rumanau.

Lobu, Tampias

[low] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,800 (1985 SIL).

Long Wat

[ttw] 6b (Threatened). 600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Lotud

[dtr] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 20,000 (2016 J. John-Baptist).

Lundayeh

[lnd] 6b (Threatened). 24,000 in Malaysia (1982 SIL), decreasing. Sarawak 21,000, Sabah 3,000–4,000.

Mah Meri

[mhe] 6b* (Threatened). 2,990 (2003 COAC). Ethnic population: 3,680 (2008 JHEOA).

Malaccan Portuguese Creole

[mcm] 6b (Threatened). 2,150 (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007b).

Mapun

[sjm] 6b (Threatened). 15,000 in Malaysia (2015 M. Tanjul). Ethnic population: 30,000 (2015 M. Tanjul).

Melanau, Central

[mel] 6b* (Threatened). 113,000 in Malaysia (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 113,280.

Melanau, Daro-Matu

[dro] 6b* (Threatened). 7,600 (Wurm and Hattori 1981). 4,800 Matu, 2,800 Daro.

Melanau, Kanowit-Tanjong

[kxn] 6b (Threatened). 200 (Wurm 2000). Ethnic population: 500.

Minokok

[mqq] 6b (Threatened). 1,200 (2007 SIL).

Minriq

[mnq] 6b (Threatened). 100 (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 270 (2008 JHEOA).

Murut, Kalabakan

[kve] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 2,230 (2000 B. Lingki).

Murut, Paluan

[plz] 6b* (Threatened). 5,500 (2000 SIL). 3,000 Paluan, 1,000 to 2,000 Pandewan.

Murut, Sembakung

[sbr] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 2,000 (2000 SIL).

Murut, Serudung

[srk] 6b (Threatened). 400 (2015 J. Rushing), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,000 (2015 J. Rushing).

Murut, Tahol

[mvv] 6b (Threatened). 20,000 in Malaysia (2015 L. Murang), decreasing. Ethnic population: 200,000 (2015 L. Murang). Largest Murutic group in Sabah (Harris 1991; Brewis 2004: 43). Total users in all countries: 22,000.

Murut, Timugon

[tih] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 9,000 (2004 S. Majius).

Narom

[nrm] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 4,000. Population includes about 1,000 Bakong, 1,000 Dali’, and 1,000 Miri’ (2012 SIL).

Negeri Sembilan Malay

[zmi] 6b* (Threatened). Used as L1 by many inhabitants of Negeri Sembilan State (2011 K. Anderbeck). Ethnic population: 508,000 (2004).

Orang Seletar

[ors] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 1,250 (2008 JHEOA). Total users in all countries: 1,200.

Penan, Eastern

[pez] 6b* (Threatened). 10,000 in Malaysia (2011 SIL). Total users in all countries: 10,055.

Penan, Western

[pne] 6b (Threatened). 3,400 (2007 SIL).

Punan Batu

[pnm] 6b (Threatened). 30 (Wurm 2000).

Remun

[lkj] 6b (Threatened). 3,500 (2000 SIL).

Rungus

[drg] 6b (Threatened). 55,000 (2009 PCS), decreasing. 10,000 monolinguals (2015 P. Porodong, F. Akiam). Ethnic population: 60,000 (2010 census).

Sa’ban

[snv] 6b (Threatened). 1,110 in Malaysia (2000). Ethnic population: 1,400 (2011). Total users in all countries: 1,960.

Sama, Southern

[ssb] 6b (Threatened). 60,000 in Malaysia (2015 S. Hinayat, M. Miller), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 119,000 (2000 SIL). 61,000 Bajau Kubang (or Bajau Semporna), 15,000 Bajau Laut, 14,500 Bajau Simunul, 13,000 Bajau Ubian, 9,000 Sibutu, 6,000 Sikubung, 700 Bajau Banaran.

Sebop

[sib] 6b (Threatened). 1,730 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Sekapan

[skp] 6b (Threatened). 750 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Semelai

[sza] 6b* (Threatened). 4,100 (Kruspe 2009). Ethnic population: 6,270 (2008 JHEOA).

Semnam

[ssm] 6b (Threatened). 670 (2000).

Sihan

[spg] 6b (Threatened). 50 (Wurm 2000). Ethnic population: 100 (2000).

Sugut Dusun

[kzs] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 12,200 (2000 SIL).

Suluk

[tsg] 6b (Threatened). 150,000 in Malaysia (2000 SIL), increasing. No monolinguals (2015 N. Dino).

Tatana

[txx] 6b (Threatened). 10,000 (2015 KadazanDusun Cultural Association), decreasing. Ethnic population: 22,000 (2015 KadazanDusun Cultural Association).

Temuan

[tmw] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 22,700 (2008 JHEOA).

Ten’edn

[tnz] 6b* (Threatened). 15 in Malaysia (2007).

Tobilung

[tgb] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (2015 G. Buck), decreasing. 1,500 monolinguals (2015 G. Buck). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2015 G. Buck).

Tombonuo

[txa] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2000 SIL). 3,000 Lingkabau.

Tring

[tgq] 6b (Threatened). 550 (2000).

Ukit

[umi] 6b (Threatened). 150 (2019).

Uma’ Lasan

[xky] 6b (Threatened). 1,250 in Malaysia (Wurm and Hattori 1981). Total users in all countries: 2,750.

7 (Shifting)

Abai Sungai

[abf] 7 (Shifting). Ethnic population: 500 (2000 SIL).

Banjar

[bjn] 7 (Shifting). 5,000 in Malaysia (2013 SIL).

Dumpas

[dmv] 7 (Shifting). 2,400 (2015 A. Ismael). No monolinguals (2015 A. Ismael). Ethnic population: 4,000 (2015 A. Ismael).

Kadazan, Labuk-Kinabatangan

[dtb] 7 (Shifting). Ethnic population: 20,600 (2000 SIL).

Malay, Cocos Islands

[coa] 7 (Shifting). 500 monolinguals (2015 A. Serasa Tosel). Ethnic population: 4,000 (2000 SIL).

Melanau, Sibu

[sdx] 7 (Shifting). 420 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Murik

[mxr] 7 (Shifting). 1,120 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Murut, Bookan

[bnb] 7 (Shifting). Ethnic population: 2,400 (2017 SIL).

Murut, Keningau

[kxi] 7 (Shifting). 3,000 (2015 A. Jampadin), decreasing. Ethnic population: 7,000 (2000 A. Jampadin).

Papar

[dpp] 7 (Shifting). 500 (2015 J. Saban), decreasing. No monolinguals (2015 J. Saban). Ethnic population: 1,900 (2015 J. Saban).

Tidung, Northern

[ntd] 7 (Shifting). 5,000 (2015 J. Lobel). Ethnic population: 20,000 (2015 J. Lobel).

Tidung, Southern

[itd] 7 (Shifting).

8a (Moribund)

Berawan, Central

[zbc] 8a (Moribund). 1,500 (2010 SIL).

Duano

[dup] 8a (Moribund). 600 in Malaysia (2007 SIL). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,010 (2008 JHEOA).

Gana

[gnq] 8a (Moribund). 250 (Pugh-Kitingan 2013), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,000 (Pugh-Kitingan 2013).

Javanese

[jav] 8a (Moribund). Ethnic population: 300,000 (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Malaccan Malay Creole

[ccm] 8a (Moribund). Ethnic population: 300.

Malay, Baba

[mbf] 8a (Moribund). 2,000 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006).

Mintil

[mzt] 8a (Moribund). 180 (2005 Lye Tuck-Po).

Murut, Kolod

[kqv] 8a (Moribund). 2,000 in Malaysia (2015 R. Ganang), decreasing. Less than 1,000 in Sarawak. More than 1,000 in Sabah.

Penang Sign Language

[psg] 8a (Moribund). 1,000, decreasing. 150 monolinguals.

Selangor Sign Language

[kgi] 8a (Moribund). 500, decreasing.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Orang Kanaq

[orn] 8b (Nearly extinct). Ethnic population: 160 (2008 JHEOA).

Temoq

[tmo] 8b (Nearly extinct).

9 (Dormant)

Sabüm

[sbo] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker survived into the late 1970s (Benjamin 1976).

10 (Extinct)

Lelak

[llk] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker either died or fully assimilated to Central Berawan [zbc] by the late 1970s.

Unestablished

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 15,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 800,000 in Malaysia (2021 The Daily Star), based on nationality.

Burmese

[mya] Unestablished. 30,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Cham, Western

[cja] Unestablished. 12,000 in Malaysia (2011).

Chinese, Min Bei

[mnp] Unestablished. 402,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Gujarati

[guj] Unestablished. 30,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 60,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Japanese

[jpn] Unestablished. 15,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Kannada

[kan] Unestablished. 59,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Korean

[kor] Unestablished. 20,900 in Malaysia (2019 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), based on nationality.

Lamaholot

[slp] Unestablished. 45,000 in Malaysia (2015), decreasing. Ethnic population: 45,000 (2015 A. Supeno). Consulate of Indonesia.

Malayalam

[mal] Unestablished. 35,800 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006).

Nepali

[npi] Unestablished. 235,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Punjabi, Eastern

[pan] Unestablished. 56,400 in Malaysia (Salleh 2006).

Rohingya

[rhg] Unestablished. 150,000 in Malaysia (2017 The Arakan Project), based on nationality.

Sindhi

[snd] Unestablished. 30,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Sinhala

[sin] Unestablished. 4,400 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Tagalog

[tgl] Unestablished. 478,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Telugu

[tel] Unestablished. 119,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Thai

[tha] Unestablished. 30,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Thai, Southern

[sou] Unestablished. 8,200 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Urdu

[urd] Unestablished. 15,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 101,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Unattested

Seru

[szd] Unattested.

Malaysia

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