KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun Literary Award is another step taken by the Kadazandusun folk to save their mother tongue.
According to founding chairman of the Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF) and INDEP Education Foundation (IEF) founder Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok at the award’s dinner held at a resort near here on Friday evening, through the event the Kadazandusun folk could put their hearts together for the preservation of their heritage and mother tongue.
“It is difficult to ensure the survival of a heritage that is fast moving away from us. But today is the start. Kadazandusun is already being taught in schools. This is yet another opportunity for us to contribute to the survival of the Kadazandusun language,” he said.
He added most Kadazandusuns were fluent in Malay, which was not wrong as Malay is the national language of the country.
“However, effort has to be made to ensure the Kadazandusun language remained,” he said.
“It is not easy to learn the Kadazandusun language. It needs time (to master it)…it is a language not easily understood. There are so many nuances of the language,” he further explained.
In his speech, he also mentioned the importance of ensuring the winning Kadazandusun works by authors were made into books.
“We will ensure that this objective will be achieved. It would benefit our people who are versed in the language. At the same time, it would also be good for the school children because without reading materials in the language, how can we ensure its survival?” he said.
Meanwhile, Tuaran based Ransidin Sambandor won the main prize in the first Kadazandusun Literary Award on Friday night. She went home RM5,000 richer.
The second prize comprising of RM3,000 cash prize went to Blasius Binjua @ Pajamas from Penampang, while the third prize of RM2,000 cash prize went to Leroy Simon of Kampung Toboh Lama in Ranau with his entry ‘Tulun Tokou’.
During the event, the organiser also announced the launch of the 2013 ‘Kadazandusun Novel Writing Competition’.
Authors keen on participating can submit their work between September 13, and May 31, 2014.
For more information about the competition, please contact KLF by calling 088-724852 / 853.
ends.