Aslian Languages - Endangerment and Extinction

Endangerment and Extinction

All Aslian languages are endangered as they are spoken by a small group of people, with contributing factors including speaker deaths and linguistic assimilation with the Malay community. Some efforts are being made to preserve the Aslian Language in Malaysia. Some radio stations in Malaysia broadcast in Aslian languages, these stations broadcast in Aslian languages for nine hours every day. Other media such as newspapers, magazine type programmes and dramas are broadcast in Aslian languages.

Only a small group of Orang Asli receive formal education in the Aslian languages. Most of the younger Orang Asli use Malay as the medium of instruction in school. There is currently only a total of 5 schools in the state of Pahang and 2 schools in the state of Perak which teach the Aslian language, due to the lack of qualified teachers and teaching aids which are still in the process of development.

Some Aslian languages are already extinct, such as Wila' (also called Bila' or Lowland Semang), which was recorded having been spoken on the Province Wellesley coast opposite Penang in the early 19th century. Another extinct language is Ple-Temer, which was previously spoken near Gerik in northern Perak.