Systems of Address and Titles in the Semai Indigenous Community of Kampung Chinggong, Behrang, Perak

Language is a core instrument in shaping identity and maintaining the social harmony of a community. This study aims to explore and analyse the systems of address and titles within the Semai Orang Asli community in Kampung Chinggong, Behrang, Perak, Malaysia. Guided by Ervin-Tripp’s (1972) theoretical framework, which emphasizes alternation and co-occurrence rules, this qualitative field-based study utilized direct observation and semi structured interviews with 20 native Semai speakers aged 25 to 70. The analysis focused on four main domains: biological family relationships, marriage (affinal) relationships, relatives, and formal greetings.
The findings indicate that language maintenance of native terms (such as aki, wan, and ami) remains highly robust within the domestic domain and core family. Additionally, a kinship term extension strategy (such as addressing in-laws directly as ayah or mak) is employed to minimize social distance and foster solidarity. However, in extra-nuclear marriage relationships like biras and besan, as well as formal greeting domains (terms like tuan, puan, encik, cik) the Semai community demonstrates a pragmatic approach by assimilating Malay lexical items. This assimilation reflects functional diglossia and an adaptive level of bilingualism in navigating out-group interactions. In conclusion, these sociolinguistic dynamics prove the cultural flexibility of the Semai community in navigating two distinct social worlds without eroding their native linguistic identity. This documentation is crucial to ensuring that this indigenous linguistic heritage is preserved against the currents of modernization.

Greeting systems, terms of address, Semai Orang Asli, sociolinguistics, language maintenance.

1. Benjamin, G. (1976). Austroasiatic Subgroupings and Prehistory in the Malay Peninsula. National Museum of Singapore. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Benjamin, G. (2012). The Aslian languages of Malaysia and Thailand: An assessment. SIL International. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. Sage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Dentan, R. K. (1970). Hocus Pocus and Extensionism in Central Malaya: Notes on Semai Kinship Terminology. American Anthropologist, 72(2),358–362. http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/aa.1970.72.2.02a00120 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Dentan, R. K. (1999). Semai: A Nonviolent People of Malaya. Harcourt Brace College Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Dentan, R. K. (1968). The Semai: A Nonviolent People of Malaya. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Ervin-Tripp, S. (1972). Sociolinguistics. In J. Fishman (Ed.), Advances in the Sociology of Language (pp. 91–116). The Hague: Mouton. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Gomes, A. G. (2004). Looking for money: Capitalism and modernity in an Orang Asli village. COAC. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. JAKOA. (2018). Laporan Tahunan Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli. Kuala Lumpur: JAKOA. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Kvale, S. (1996). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Sage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Mohamad Suhaizi, M. S., Izznusratina, I., & Eris Joshan, J. (2024). Variasi kata sapaan masyarakat Semai di Perak: Analisis linguistik dan sosiobudaya. Jurnal Bahasa, 24(1), 55–72. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Nicholas, C. (2000). The Orang Asli and the contest for resources: Indigenous politics, development and identity in Peninsular Malaysia. Copenhagen: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Norajihah, A. (2021). Sistem sapaan dalam kalangan masyarakat Che Wong di Hulu Langat. Jurnal Linguistik, 25(2), 112–125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Park, J., Lim, L., & Subramaniam, P. (2015). Conceptualization of family among the Semai Orang Asli: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 46(3), 345–364. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Park, Y. J., & Osman, S. (2019). Conceptualizing family among the Semai Orang Asli of Malaysia: Implications for resilience. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 50(2), 153–175. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Sage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Robarchek, C. A. (1980). Cognition and Symbol in Semai Socialization: A Cross-Cultural Study of the Development of Self. Ethos, 8(3), 178–195. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Robarchek, C. A., & Robarchek, C. J. (1998). Reciprocity, Altruism, and the Semai. In L. Betzig, P. Turke, & M. Borgerhoff Mulder (Eds.), Human Nature: A Critical Reader (pp. 185–199). New York: Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Park, S.-A., Lim, A. H., & Subramaniam, G. (2012). Family Processes and Functioning of the Semai Indigenous People in Peninsular Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 20(2), 441–460. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Robarchek, C. A. (1980). Cognition and Symbol in Semai Socialization: A Cross-Cultural Study of the Development of Self. Ethos, 8(3), 178–195. https://doi.org/10.1525/eth.1980.8.3.02a00020 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Robarchek, C. A. (1981). The Semai: A Nonviolent People of Malaya. Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Sa’adiah, M. N., & Teo, C. K. (2019). Perubahan sistem panggilan kekeluargaan masyarakat Che Wong di Pahang: Satu kajian sosiolinguistik. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(2), 25–36 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study