Language quiz 21 February 2016 By Simon Here’s a recording in a mystery language. Can you identify the language, and do you know where it’s spoken?
Definitely a regional/minority Malayo-Polynesian language of Indonesia or Malaysia. These could be false friends but I think I can recognise quite a few words from standard Indonesian/Malay like ‘ini’, ‘baru’, ‘Allah’, ‘anda’, ‘tuhan’, ‘mengantau’. Reply
I also heard “Allah,” so Indonesia or Malysia, being predominantly Muslim countries, seem likely. Reply
The answer is Kelabit, a North Sarawakan language spoken in Sarawak in Borneo in Malaysia. The recording comes from the the GRN. Reply
Hmmm, pretty sure it’s a language of insular Southeast Asia… but can’t get more specific.
Definitely a regional/minority Malayo-Polynesian language of Indonesia or Malaysia.
These could be false friends but I think I can recognise quite a few words from standard Indonesian/Malay like ‘ini’, ‘baru’, ‘Allah’, ‘anda’, ‘tuhan’, ‘mengantau’.
I also heard “Allah,” so Indonesia or Malysia, being predominantly Muslim countries, seem likely.
The answer is Kelabit, a North Sarawakan language spoken in Sarawak in Borneo in Malaysia.
The recording comes from the the GRN.