Remun language

Remun
Milikin
Native toMalaysia
RegionSarawak
Native speakers
3,500 (2000)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3lkj
Glottologremu1237
ELPRemun

Remun, or Milikin, is an Ibanic Dayak language of Borneo.

Geographic distribution

The language is spoken by roughly 3600 inhabitants of the Sarawak region.

Remun is the primary Iban-Remun language dialect in the Borneo area, and particularly the Sarawak region.[2] Despite being 88% similar to the Iban language, individuals in locales that speak Remun state the language is easily hidden from outsiders' understanding, even speakers of Iban.[2] Remun is endangered, as its speakers are slowly shifting towards speaking Iban.[citation needed]

Vocabulary

Comparison between Standard Malay, Standard Iban, and the Remun dialect
English Standard Malay Standard Iban Remun
No Tidak Enda Entau
See Lihat Meda Ngilau
Know Tahu Nemu Badak
Shirt Baju Baju Kelatang
Run Berlari Belanda Belawak
Silence! Senyap Anang inggar Sengian
Stupid Bodoh Beli'/Palui Labulan
No/Did not Tiada Nadai Entai
Tomorrow Besok Pagila Pagi
Later Nanti Lagi/legi Ila
Mat Tikar Tikai Kelaya
Good Bagus Manah Nyelaie
  • Sample phases in Standard Iban and Remun:
    • Entai ku ngilau – Nadai aku meda. "I do not see."
    • Entauk ku badak – Enda ku nemu. "I could not find."

Language comparisons

Older Generation Younger Generation Languages the Words Borrowed From
Kelatang (Dress) Baju Bahasa Malaysia
Ngatong (Later) Nanti Bahasa Malaysia
Ngilau (See) Meda Iban main
Kayu (Food) Lauk Bahasa Malaysia/Iban Main
Tegeran Iengan (Eat) Makai Iban main
Ngitung atap/rasau (Sleep) Tidur Bahasa Malaysia
Besulu (Lover/friend) Bepangan Bahasa Malaysia
Reti (Meaning) Maksud Bahasa Malaysia
Pangin (Room) Bilik Bahasa Malaysia
Lebulan (Stupid) Bodoh Bahasa Malaysia
Entau medak (I don't know) Enda nemu Iban Main
Anteh (Quick) Cepat Bahasa Malaysia
Tanchut (Trousers) Tanchut Bahasa Malaysia

References

  1. ^ Remun at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b Cullip, Peter (2003). "Remun Language Use and Maintenance". Journal of Modern Languages. 15 (1): 59–70.


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