Penan, Western

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A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3
pne
Alternate Names
Nibon, Nibong, “Punan” (pej.)
User Population

3,400 (2007 SIL).

Location

Sarawak: Kapit division, Balui and upper Baram rivers, Mount Dulit area, 3 villages; Nibong branch of Lobong river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Kayan-Kenyah, Penan
Dialects

Nibong, Bok Penan (Bok), Penan Silat, Penan Gang (Gang), Penan Lusong (Lusong), Penan Apo, Sipeng (Speng), Penan Lanying, Jelalong Penan. Not closely related to other languages.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults.

Language Development

NT: 1974.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Penan, Western
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditionalists are nomadic and seminomadic.