Melanau, Central

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A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3
mel
Alternate Names
Belana’u, Milanau, Milano
User Population

113,000 in Malaysia (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 113,280.

Location

Sarawak: Mukah division, Rejang delta coastal area to Balingian river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau
Dialects

Mukah-Oya (Muka, Mukah, Oga, Oya, Oya’), Balingian, Bruit, Dalat (Dalad), Igan, Sarikei, Segahan, Prehan, Segalang, Siteng. Balingian dialect is linguistically quite distinct from others.

Language Use

Positive attitudes. Also use Malay [zlm]. Used as L2 by Sibu Melanau [sdx].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Above 50%. Grammar.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Melanau, Central
Writing

Latin script [Latn], limited usage.

Also spoken in:

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