The Bidayuh Language Yesterday, Today and ... - SIL International

Introduction to Parts II and III xv
In the Bau and Serian regions speakers of various regional varieties have been collaborating to
compile a regional dictionary in each of those regions. A few of the cognate sets cite entries from
those provisional dictionaries, labeled “Bau dictionary” and “Serian dictionary”, respectively. In
addition, the compendious Bidayuh-English Dictionary compiled by Datuk William Nais (1988) is
a significant reference for Biatah, and it was an important source of data for the papers in this
volume.
This study also made use of several wordlists of A. B. Hudson, published on dialects spoken in
the Bau District and West Kalimantan (Hudson 1970, pp. 308–316). These lists included one
variety of Bidayuh, one variety of Bakati’ and three varieties of Southern Land Dayak. The
Hudson materials for the southern Land Dayak languages of Kembayan and Ribun were
supplemented to a considerable extent by referring to unpublished wordlists collected and kindly
made available by K. Alexander Adelaar.
Finally, the Rara wordlist was compared with three wordlists compiled by Carmen Bryant in a
variety of Rara and two related varieties, Sara/Riok and Kendayan, all spoken in West Kalimantan,
and kindly made available for this study.
Appreciation
We wish to thank the cultural leadership of the Bidayuh people, especially the members of the
steering committee of the Bidayuh Language Development Project, for their unfailing support and
encouragement in this project. Jonas Noeb and Robert Sulis Ridu, the leaders of the Project, have
sacrificially given of their time to offer guidance and to make arrangements for many datagathering
sessions throughout the Bidayuh Belt.
It is always hazardous to name individuals who have been particularly active in supporting the
project since inevitably some worthy names may be omitted. Nevertheless, it seems right to thank
especially Jonas Noeb, Robert Sulis Ridu, Datu Stephen Jussem, Justin Milus and James Manis for
the many occasions when they made arrangements for us to collect and then to (re)check Bidayuh
language materials.
There are many who spent hours with us, contributing their time and linguistic skills. They
provided Bidayuh dialect materials and answered our many questions, and upon many occasions
offered special Bidayuh hospitality. These include at least the following:
Singai: Jonas Noeb, Temenggong Datu Stephen Jussem Dundon, Penghulu Sebastian Desson,
Patrick Rigep, Joseph Charles
Gumbang: Clement Ahien anak Singgek, Ketua Kampung Keelim anak Nilam,
Ketua Adat Anyan anak Jikan
Serambu/Birois: Penghulu Ranjes, Ketua Kampung Atew, Ahew Sajek, Edward Akui,
Patrick Doya
Bratak: Michael Jindiau, Joseph Nyogen
Grogo: Joneh anak Bidon
Serasot: Cikgu Patrick Kukut
Stass: Nilaw Nokap, Swami
Biatah: Crispin Jusib, Stephen Rungan Satom, Ritikos Jitab
Bistaang: Dripin Sakoi, Rex Johnson Sayo