In today's world, Semai language has gained great importance and interest, generating numerous discussions and research in different areas. Since its emergence, Semai language has significantly impacted society, the economy, culture and science, among other aspects. Over the years, Semai language has evolved and adapted to the different needs and demands of the current context, playing a crucial role in the development and transformation of various sectors. This is why it is relevant to thoroughly analyze and understand the impact and scope of Semai language today, as well as its future implications.
Semai | |
---|---|
engrok Semai | |
Native to | Peninsular Malaysia |
Ethnicity | 60,438 Semai people (2020) |
Native speakers | 60,438 (2020) |
Latin | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | sea |
Glottolog | sema1266 |
ELP | Semai |
Semai (engrok Semai) is a Austroasiatic language of western Malaysia spoken by about 60,438 Semai people. It is one of the few Aslian languages which are not endangered, and even has 2,000 monolingual speakers. It is currently spoken by 3 main groups; the Northern Semai, Central Semai and the Southern Semai.
One notable aspect of Semai phonology is its highly irregular pattern of expressive reduplication, showing discontiguous copying from just the edges of the reduplicant's base, thus forming a minor syllable.
Front | Central | Back | |
---|---|---|---|
Close | i iː | ɨ ɨː | u uː |
Close-mid | e eː | o oː | |
Open-mid | ɛ ɛː | ə | ɔ ɔː |
Open | ɑ ɑː |
Front | Central | Back | |
---|---|---|---|
Close | ĩ ĩː | ɨ̃ ɨ̃ː | ũ ũː |
Mid | ɛ̃ ɛ̃ː | ə̃ | ɔ̃ ɔ̃ː |
Open | ɑ̃ ɑ̃ː |
Bilabial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plosive | voiceless | p | t | c | k | ʔ |
voiced | b | d | ɟ | ɡ | ||
Nasal | voiced | m | n | ɲ | ŋ | |
preploded | ᵇm | ᵈn | ɟɲ | ᶢŋ | ||
Fricative | s | h | ||||
Rhotic | ɾ~r | |||||
Lateral | l | |||||
Approximant | w | j |
Examples of words in Semai include the following:
English | Semai | Malay |
---|---|---|
I | Eng | Saya |
Eat | Cak | Makan |
Drink | Ngaut | Minum |
Bathe | Mehmu | Mandi |
Clean | Parlain | Bersih |
Good | Bor | Bagus |
Chicken | Bafung/Fung | Ayam |
Rice | Cengroy | Beras |
Mushroom | Cenai | Cendawan |
Why | Jalek | Kenapa |
How | Rahalook | Bagaimana |