Documentation of ethnic languages needs to continue: Mary Yap

TAWAU: Documentation of ethnic languages and local dialects needs to be a continuous effort to avoid their extinction, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.
She said this was crucial as the current young generation lacked exposure to their respective ethnic language inherited from their family, as they preferred to speak in the national language or other languages such as English.
"The effect is that ethnic language usage could not flourish and eventually could face extinction, and this is worrying.
"Thus, the documentation of various local languages which is now in implementation is among the best measures to maintain the precious heritage, culture and language of any ethnic group," she told reporters at the Unesco 2016: Preserving Ethnic Languages and Local Dialects programme, here.
She said the extinction of such languages would be a terrible loss to the country, adding that the holding of the four-day programme was timely for the benefit of the young generation. — Bernama