The Sarawak Malay Languange

The Sarawak Malay language or Sarawak dialect is the regional language used by Malaysians in Sarawak in daily life. Sarawak dialect has many similarities with standard Malay language. This difference is the result of the influence of local languages (eg, Iban language and Bidayuh languages) and the languages of neighboring countries (Brunei Malay language and Indonesia language). For example, the Sarawak dialect in Miri, Limbang and Lawas areas is heavily influenced by the Brunei Malay language and Sabah Malay language while the Sarawak dialect in Kuching is influenced by Kalimantan.

Common Sarawak’s Vocabulary

SARAWAK MALAY LANGUAGE	MEANING
Ø  Polah Ø  Molah Ø  Sik Ø  Aok Ø  Iboh Ø  Ney Ø  Gago Ø  Dudi Ø  Nemiak Ø  Bait Ø  Kelaka Ø  Empun Ø  Ngelayo Ø  Nyaman Ø  Raon Ø  Putit Ø  Heng Ø  Dipirit Ø  Angol Ø  Nilit	Make (Buat) Do it (Lakukan) No (Tidak) Yes (Ya) Don’t (Jangan) Where (Mana) Busy (Sibuk) Then (Kemudian) Children (Budak) Good (Baik) Talking (Bercakap) Own (Punya) Roaming (Merayau) Delicious (Sedap) Walk around (Berjalan-jalan) Pick up (Kutip) Drunk (Mabuk) (Digilis) Dizzy (Pening) Stalk (Mengedap)

 

 

The use of the word kamek and kitak is the subtle phrase spoken by the children towards the older person. The word is generally used against the family and is also used against people who are known.

a)      Kamek - Me (Saya)

b)      Kitak – You (Awak)

Use Of Reinforcement Word

The use of the word reinforcement in the Sarawak dialect is not much else with the standard Malay language. For example, the use of the word gik is the same as the word lagi/lah.

·         Belaja gik – Learn it (Belajarlah)

·         Udah gik – Enough already (Sudahlah)

·         Sik ada gik – No more (Tiada lagi)

·         Agik – More (Lagi)

The word indah serves as the word ending at the end of the verse and reinforces the expression of the meaning of the previous word.

·         Sakit indah – It hurts (Sakit pula)

·         Manas indah – Angry too (Marah pula)

·         Makan indah – Eat too (Makan pula)

The word lok serves to reinforce the expression of the meaning of the previous word and as the word ending at the end of the verse. The term lok should be long instead of short.

·         Nunggu lok – Wait first (Tunggu dulu)

·         Nangga lok – Look first (Tengok dulu)

The words koh, juak, ya and bah are the addition of words to reinforce the expression of the previous meaning of the word. the letters a, oh and ah are extended or pressed to indicate the expression of the previous word meaning.

·         Aok bah – Yes/Alright (Yalah/Baiklah)

·         Iboh camya bah – Do not be like that (Janganlah macam tu)

·         Udah gik ya – Enough already (Sudah lah)

·         Lamak juak – So long (Lama betul)

·         Nyalah koh – That’s it (Itulah)

The word nya has many meanings and is also used to reinforce the previous expression. The term nya depends on the situation in either angry or ordinary tone.

·         Nya – He or she / right (Dia/betul)

·         Lamak nya juak nya tok koh – It’s been so long time (Sudah lama betul dia ini)