Newcastle University

Publication:

Multilingualism among the Penan of Brunei (2003)

Author(s): Sercombe PG

Abstract: This article considers multilingualism among a group of ex-hunter-gatherers, the Penan in Brunei. Settled permanently since 1962, this small community of 55 people inhabit the sparsely populated subdistrict of Sukang in southern Brunei, the Penan constituting the smallest ethnic minority in the country. The article is primarily an ethnographic account, but also explains some of the reasons underlying causes of Penan’s patterns of language knowledge and use.

• Date: 01-06-2003
• Journal: International Journal of Bilingualism
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 153-175
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
• Publication type: Article
• Bibliographic status: Published

• Author Address: Peter Sercombe, Room 2.9, Joseph Cowen House, St Thomas' Street, Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Universaity of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU.
• URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13670069030070020301
• DOI: 10.1177/13670069030070020301
• ISSN (electronic): 1756-6878

Keywords: Brunei, multilingualism, Penans