via Bernama/New Straits Times, 12 December 2023: The Mendriq Orang Asli community in Malaysia, in collaboration with Wikimedia Malaysia, is working to save the Mendriq language from extinction. Villagers, including Ida Terang, are digitizing their language by adding words and audio pronunciations to Wiktionary.
Over the years, it became increasingly challenging for the Mendriq elders to preserve their ancestral language as their tribe is dwindling in size with only about 600 of them left now, all of them dwelling in the east coast state of Kelantan in three locations, Kampung Kuala Lah in Gua Musang and Kampung Pasir Linggi and Sungai Tako in Kuala Krai.
Another reason for the decrease in usage of the native language is because the younger generation are more comfortable speaking in the Kelantanese Malay dialect.
Language experts interviewed by Bernama had previously said that the Mendriq language could become extinct in 20 years if no serious efforts are taken to preserve it.
Source: Efforts underway to save Mendriq language from extinction
