MIRI: Inconsistency in spelling of Iban words in different publications can lead to confusion among readers and in the Iban community.
Emphasising this point recently, a group of Iban longhouse chiefs from Kapit wanted the matter to be addressed urgently in line with the effort to popularise the Iban language and bring it to greater heights.
They said editors of publications, including media practitioners, should not take the matter for granted but stick strictly to the spellings set by the authorities.
“Often when we read news in Iban in a local newspaper, certain words are spelt incorrectly and also inconsistently.
“For example, words like ‘sidak’, ‘akik’ and ‘inik’ should be spelt as ‘sida’, ‘aki’ and ‘ini’ without the letter ‘k’,” they clarified.
To make it worse, they noted, the word ‘sida’ was spelt inconsistently as it was sometimes spelt as ‘sidak’.
“Very confusing indeed,” they said.
The longhouse chiefs brought this matter up during the Iban Symposium, the first of its kind, held recently at the Institute of Teachers Education, Sarawak Campus, in Bakam near here.
They were among the over 300 Iban participants from throughout the state, comprising Iban longhouse chiefs, community leaders, intellectuals, representatives, teachers and trainers of Iban language.
It was organised by local Iban community leaders in collaboration with Institute of Teachers Education, Sarawak Campus, Miri and the Iban Service of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Miri, with Iban community leader Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim as organising chairman.