Introduction

The Semai language of Malaysia is spoken by around 45,000 living in Pahang state: northwest; Perak state: south; Selangor state: north. This language is considered the lingua franca of the Malaysian Aslian military armed forces unit (Bradley 2007a).

ISO code is [sea]. The linguistic classification is Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Aslian, Senoic. Alternate names refering to the language are Semay, Seng’oi, Sengoi, or Senoi. The dialects for this language are Jelai, Perak I, Perak II, Cameron (Cameron Highlands), Telom, Bidor, Betau, Lipis, Bil, Ulu Kampar (Kampar), Gopeng, Tanjung Malim, Parit, Tapah (Jalan Pahang). Some dialects not mutually intelligible (2006 T. Phillips).

The Semai people value their language, using it at home and in the village. It is taught in primary schools. The Cameron Highlands dialect is used on radio and is a school language (Bradley 2007a). Some also use Malay [zlm] and Temiar [tea].