It was 4 AM of January 13th (Monday), year of 2020. I was alone outside my room. There, I sat on the chair in my living room, thinking of the possibility for Kadazandusun language to continue to thrive in the midst of many other languages that have their influence on the politics, economy, and social around the globe. I was thinking that it would be advisable for the present-day government to take heed on the language and its speakers which are also of the Sabah indigenous. From one point, I realize that the number of speakers using that language is now declining and the language itself has been put under the category of 'endangered language' by the United Nations in 2005. Thus, the roles of the authoritative bodies in the government, non-governmental organisation such as the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) are very crucial and they must come up with some solid and comprehensive solutions to preserve the language and its arts that come along with it.
Besides, the mastery of English language among Sabahans is also another issue that must be addressed by everyone. Even before the beginning of the idea about the Formation of Malaysia in 1963, English had been held in high regard. However, overtime it got subdued by the national language of Malaysia, Malay - not to say it is recommendable for either one to be dominated and the other is left to vanish, but the focal point here is about the advantage of knowing both languages. I have always believed there are treasures in every language, and that also accounted for Kadazandusun, English, and Malay. It is seen as a worrying truth in the broad daylight that the proficiency among the Sabahans school students themselves have deteriorated by times. Hence, the root-of-cause must be found out, only then any improvement can be made for the sake of using English fluently and with ease.
I would like to sum up this opinion of mine this early morning of Monday by reaffirming my beliefs that the government must look into this very immediately and formulate some mechanisms to face off these bitter qualities of poor proficiency in Kadazandusun and deteriorating English fluency among Sabahans communities. Apart from the national language, these two languages are significant in Sabah and therefore must be taken seriously with accountability. I also urge the young generations of today to continue brushing up their Kadazandusun and English. I rest my case. Thank you for reading! Kounsikou.
