drg ISO 639
Momogun Autonyms
Rungus
Visualizations
A language of Malaysia
- ISO 639
- drg
- Alternate Names
- Dayak Laut, Dusun Dayak, Kadazan, Melobong Rungus, Melubong Rungus, Memagun, Memogun, Roongas, Rungus Dusun
- Autonym
- Momogun
- Population
- 55,000 (2009 PCS), decreasing. 10,000 monolinguals (2015 P. Porodong, F. Akiam). Ethnic population: 60,000 (2010 census).
- Location
- Sabah: Beluran, Kota Marudu, Kudat, and Pitas districts.
- Language Maps
- Malaysia: Sabah
- Language Status
- 6b (Threatened).
- Classification
- Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, Sabahan, Dusunic, Dusun
- Dialects
- Gandahon, Gonsomon, Nuluw, Pilapazan (Central Rungus, Rungus Tanga). Gonsomon and Nuluw most distinctive dialects. Gandahon is less distinct. Pilapazan uses elements of the other three dialects. Lexical similarity among dialects within 86%–96%.
- Typology
- SVO.
- Language Use
- 90% L1 speakers. Mixed use: Home, Friends, Religion, Work. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Sabah Malay [msi]. Some also use Standard Malay [zsm]. A few also use Hakka Chinese [hak]. A few also use Iranun [ilm]. A few also use Kadazan Dusun [dtp]. A few also use Kimaragang [kqr]. A few also use Tombonuo [txa]. Used as L2 by Hakka Chinese [hak], Iranun [ilm], Kadazan Dusun [dtp], Kimaragang [kqr], Tombonuo [txa].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 80%. Literacy rate in L2: 85% in Standard Malay [zsm]. Literacy rate in L1: low for those over 45; much higher for those under 30. Literacy in L2: Standard Malay [zsm] literacy higher than Rungus; school language is Standard Malay. Language of instruction in about 5 kindergartens. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2014. Agency: Persatuan Momogun Rungus Sabah (SAMORA), Rungus Cultural Association (RCA), Sabah Rungus Cultural and Heritage (SARUCHA), Persatuan Rungus Pitas (PISAAN), Pertubuhan Rungus Malaysia, Yayasan Rungus (Rungus Foundation).
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Reside on the Bengkoka and Kudat peninsulas surrounding Marudu bay and identify themselves by which side of the bay they come from. Self-identify as Momogun and have complex internal social and ethnic relationships (Appell 1965). There is a strong sense of Rungus ethnic identity across all dialect groups. Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Rungus
