Belait

A language of Brunei

ISO 639: beg
Alternate Names: Balait Jati, Lemeting, Metting, Tau’ kitah
Population: 1,130 (2019).
Location:: Belait district: scattered; Tutong district: Kampung Kiudang.
Language Status: 7 (Shifting).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, North Borneo, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, A
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 54% with Tutong [ttg].
Typology: SVO, VSO; prepositions; noun head initial; classifiers (human, non-human); dual number; actor and undergoer voice; aspect-mood markers; causative prefix; 19 consonants and 5 vowels; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.
Language Use: Adults only. Shifting to Brunei [kxd] (Clynes 2005).
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Belait
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Recognized indigenous group. Muslim Belait are Malay in orientation. Non-Muslims retain their Belait identity more. Heavy intermarriage with Bisaya and Chinese. Muslim.

Location: Belait district: scattered; Tutong district: Kampung Kiudang.