Page Type: languageIranun | Ethnologue

ILM ISO 639-3

Iranun

A language of Malaysia

ISO 639
ilm
Alternate Names
Ilanun, Illanoan, Illanoon, Illanos, Illanun, Iranon Maranao, Iranum, Lanoon, Lanun, Ylanos
Population
22,000 (2015 I. Sidik), decreasing. Ethnic population: 30,000 (Pugh-Kitingan and Mulia 1996).
Location:
Sabah: Kota Belud district, 24 villages; Kudat district, Indarasan Laut village; Lahad Datu district, Tungku.
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Danao, Maranao-Iranon
Dialects
None known. Iranun in Sabah is different from any of its related languages in the Philippines, including Iranun [ilp] and Maranao [mrw]. The most similar language to Iranun in Sabah [ilm] is Maranao [mrw]. But even between Iranun [ilm] and Maranao [mrw], there are substantial differences.
Language Use
Home, Friends, Religion. Mixed use: Work, Education. Some young people, all adults, few children. All also use Sabah Malay [msi]. Many also use Kadazan Dusun [dtp], especially speakers of the Tempasuk dialect. Many also use West Coast Bajau [bdr]. Some also use Standard Malay [zsm]. A few also use Rungus [drg]. Used as L2 by Bugis [bug], Rungus [drg].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 15%. Literacy rate in L2: 60%–95% in Standard Malay [zsm]. Taught in 3 preschools. Periodicals. Dictionary. Texts. Agency: Persatuan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Iranun Sabah (BKI).
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Iranun
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. There is established evidence of at least 400 years’ residence of Iranun in Sabah (including evidence from genealogical records that go back some 13 generations). Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Sabah: Kota Belud district, 24 villages; Kudat district, Indarasan Laut village; Lahad Datu district, Tungku.