Bidayuh, Biatah

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A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3
bth
Alternate Names
Biatah, Bikuab, Kuap, Quop, Sentah, Siburan
User Population

63,900 in Malaysia (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 72,380.

Location

Sarawak: Kuching division, Kuching district, 10 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Land Dayak, Bidayuh, Core, Central
Dialects

Siburan, Bisitaang (Sitaang, Stang), Tibia, Bibenuk, Bipuruh, Bisapug, Pinyawa’, Biya. Not intelligible with Bidayuh Serian [sdo], Salako [knx], or other Bidayuh varieties from Indonesia. Siburan is the prestige dialect. Lexical similarity: 71% with Singai dialect of Bau Bidayuh [sne].

Language Use

Some young people, all adults.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 45%. Radio. Dictionary. Bible: 2014.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bidayuh, Biatah
Writing

Latin script [Latn], developed in about 1995.

Other Comments

’Bidayuh’ is a cover term for all Sarawak Land Dayak groups, plus Salako [knx].

Also spoken in:

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