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Kendayan, or Salako (Selako), is a MalayicDayak language of Borneo. The exact number of speakers remains unknown, but is estimated to be around 350,000.
The name Kendayan is preferred in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Salako in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is sometimes referred to as bahasa Badameà, particularly in Bengkayang Regency and the areas near Singkawang City. Other dialects of Kendayan include Ahe, Banana and Belangin. Speakers of any of the dialects can understand speakers of any of the others.
Language context
A speaker of Bedamea.
Salako is spoken in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia and the province of West Kalimantan in Indonesia. There are speakers in Sambas and Bengkayang Regencies and in Singkawang. Other dialects are spoken in the Pontianak, Bengkawang and Landak Regencies of West Kalimantan.
It is said that Singkawang in southern Sambas is the place of origin of Salako speakers.
Dialects spoken in West Kalimantan have been influenced by the Indonesian, which is the national language of Indonesia. This is the language used in official contexts, schools, the media and in church. In Sarawak, the influence of Malay has been less significant, as it became the national language more recently.
Kendayan is a vital language that is used in the community and at home. The Ahe variety is also spoken as a lingua franca by native speakers with Land Dayak groups. However, younger speakers are typically educated through Indonesian away from the villages, which could affect language vitality in the future.
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