Ida'an language


The Ida'an language is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by the Ida'an people of Sabah, Malaysia.

Background

The language has a long literary history, the earliest known work in the language is a manuscript dated 1408 A.D. The manuscript, written using Jawi, gives an account of an Ida'an man named Abdullah in Darvel Bay who embraced Islam and became one of the earliest known regions in Malaysia to embraced Islam. The Ida'an, Begak and Subpan peoples originally formed one ethnic group. The Ida'an converted to Islam following the conversion of Abdullah, while the Begak and Subpan continued to practice their traditional religion.

Varieties

The Ida'an language has been described as having three dialects: Ida'an proper, Begak, and Subpan. These dialects correspond to three ethnic groups who originally formed a single group.
Lobel lists Sungai Seguliud and Begak as Idaanic languages. The Begak dialect is said to be threatened with extinction, as younger speakers are switching to Malay.

Phonology

Vowels

Consonants