The Spatial Lexical Variation and Distribution of Melanau Language.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
The Spatial Lexical Variation and Distribution of Melanau Language. |
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Author :
Salasiah Che Lah, Tarmiji Masron, Azimah Sazali, Ruslan Rainis, Suraiti Ghazali, Alias Abd. Ghani and Salfarina Abdul Ghafor |
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Abstract:
This paper address some fundamental question about one of the most important and least understood issues in linguistics, the spatial variation and distribution of linguistic features. The Melanau language family is chosen because it is one of the main indigenous languages spoken in Sarawak, Malaysia. Most of the settlement of the speakers of Melanau language family are concentrated at the Rejang Baram Rivers and coastal areas from Daro-Matu to Sibu. Five locations have been identified through stratified sampling: Daro-Matu (from North Channel of Rejang Rivers to the sea), Kanowit (middle Rejang River), Melanau (coastal area of Rejang delta up to the Balingian River), Tanjong (Rejang River above Kanowit area) and Sibu (Rejang River). A global positioning system (GPS) is used to capture the coordinate of the sample locations and respondents in the study area. Apart from the spatial data, data from the questionnaire will be used to present the spatial pattern of language variations by using ArcView GIS. It will begin with an observation and identification of linguistic features by employing the 100-word lists by Morris Swadesh. This wordlist was given to the selected Melanau speakers.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Salasiah Che Lah et al. (2007). The Spatial Lexical Variation and Distribution of Melanau Language. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LXIII (84): 41-64 |
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References
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