The Kayan language is an indigenous language spoken by the Kayan people in Sarawak. It belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian of the Austronesian languages (Wurm & Hattori, 1981). The language is similar to the language spoken by the Kayan people in Kalimantan (Rousseau, 1990; Southwell, 1990), but with dialectic differences or variants.

 

This linguistic variation is made up of various other sub-branches (dialects) such as the Lebu’ Kuit, Mboh Pua’, Uma Leken in Kalimantan, Kayan Uma Pu in Baram (Soriente, 2013), Kayan Bahau, Kwang Tring and Kayan Uma Belor (Devung, 1982).

 

In the Baram, the three major Kayan dialects are Uma Pu, Uma Peliau and Uma Leken (Cubit, 1964).The Uma Pu dialect is the major dialect spoken in Baram. Six other dialects (Uma Peliau, Uma Belun, Uma Pako’, Uma Semuka’, Uma Beluvuh and Uma Bawang) are also spoken, and although they are slightly different, they are however still intelligible to each other. As for the Kayan variety spoken in Belaga, Cubit (1964) believes that the Kayan Belaga dialect is said to be remnants of several dialects but is mutually understandable to other Kayan. It is worth noting that the Kayan Uma Beluvuh language variety is specifically spoken by the Kayan group who reside in Long Panai.

 

The Kayan language variety spoken in Long Panai is phonetically different from other known varieties of Kayan. There is no notable difference in lexical elements, but Kayan Uma Beluvuh variant differs clearly in its coarse intonation. Although the Kayan in Long Panai speak the Uma Beluvuh variety, most elders are proficient speakers of both Uma Beluvuh and Uma Pu varieties. In conversations with other Kayan groups, Kayan Uma Beluvuh retain their own variant. 

​

Other than the general phonological difference, one of the salient features of Uma Beluvuh variant is the intonation of words ending with (əi), (ʌi) which ends with the final (ɛ) for the Uma Beluvuh dialect. Word such as ‘pelihei’ – (pelihʌi), has the final tone to (pelihɛ) – slowly; ‘tei’ – (tʌi) to (tɛ) – go. Another difference is the word ending in (ʌu), for example ‘sau’ (sʌu), ending with the final (o) – (so) – grandson/granddaughter.

​

Go slowly     (Pelihʌi kelo panʌu) 

                      (Pelihɛ kelo pano).

​

Note: Pelihe kelo pano is not a literal translation of go slowly [te pelihe]. Pelihe kelo pano is a cultural expression wishing someone who is leaving to be safe.                         

​

Postulation 

Kayan migrated in groups, often following the longhouse group as they moved from one location to the next in their migratory journey. It has been postulated that due to their preference for staying within their own group, the Uma Beluvuh Kayan were able to retain their distinct language variant. Another contributing factor is geographical isolation. Their remote location in the Tutoh river tributary, away from other Kayan longhouses, means there is limited opportunity for close interaction with the Kayan Uma Pu, which is the more dominant variant spoken by Kayan longhouses in Apoh and Upper Baram. 

​

​Dahun Kayan nih iha nah dahun tam Kayan alem Sarawak. Kurin daha aleng jam, dahun Kayan nih iha nah men asen na Malayo-Polynesian, iha tih asen dahun Austronesian kurin daha. Te' kuri-kuri na'an dahun tam Kayan ni, awi dahun dalo aleng te' ha Kalimantan; Lebu' Kuit, Mboh Pua', Uma Leken, Kayan Bahau, Kwang Tring, dahin Kayan Uma Belor. Dahun daha Kayan ha Baram iha nah: Kayan Uma Pu, Uma Peliau dahin Uma Leken.

 

Dahun Kayan Uma Pu aleng kahum en daha Kayan na ha Baram, be te' lim kah besa dahun ha beh awi jam Kayan Uma Peliau, Uma Belun, Uma Pako', Uma Semuka', Uma Beluvuh dahin Uma Bawang. Besa dahun Kayan Belaga, tek kah dep na uk bi deng loh kah daha Kayan men Baram kelenghi na lahuh, ju nure' kah daha Kayan Belaga, jam lim kah daha kelenghi dahun Kayan Baram. Dahun Kayan Uma Beluvuh nih dih, daha kelunan Kayan ha Long Panai tua aleng na dahun Kayan besa anih.

​

​