Sambas Malay

Sambas Malay is a Malayic language. Speakers of Malayic languages are spread from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Southern Thailand, to the southernmost part of the Philippines. Malay is a member of the Austronesian family of languages, which includes languages from Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean, with a smaller number in continental Asia. Malagasy, a geographic outlier spoken in Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is also a member of this language family. Although these languages are not necessarily mutually intelligible to any extent, their similarities are often quite apparent. In more conservative languages like Malay, many roots have come with relatively little change from their common ancestor, Proto-Austronesian. There are many cognates found in the languages' words for kinship, health, body parts and common animals. Numbers, especially, show remarkable similarities.{{Cite book |last1=Adelaar |first1=K. Alexander |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtWdhQ7vc6kC&q=Indonesian+Malaysian+Malay+differences&pg=PA71 |title=The Austronesian Languages of Asia and Madagascar |last2=Himmelmann |first2=Nikolaus |date=7 March 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136755095 |language=en}}

Sambas Malay is closely related to Sarawak Malay, sharing significant lexical similarities. For instance, both dialects use words like kamek for I, pangkong for to hit, and maok for want, among others. Some studies classify Sambas Malay as part of the Coastal Borneo Malay language group, which includes Brunei Malay, Berau Malay, Banjarese, and Kutainese.{{Cite book |last=Jaludin |first=Haji Chuchu |url=https://melayu.library.uitm.edu.my/4688/ |title=Dialek Melayu Brunei dalam salasilah Bahasa Melayu purba |date=2003 |publisher=Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia |isbn=978-967-942-607-6 |location=Bangi |language=en}} It is also distantly related to Pontianak Malay and other Malay dialects spoken in other parts of West Kalimantan. However, there are significant differences between Sambas Malay and Pontianak Malay, especially in terms of phonology.{{Cite web |last=Indriani |first=Wiwin |date=3 June 2024 |title=Ciri Bahasa Melayu Pontianak dengan Varian Melayu Lainnya |url=https://www.rri.co.id/lain-lain/733790/ciri-bahasa-melayu-pontianak-dengan-varian-melayu-lainnya |website= |publisher=Radio Republik Indonesia |language=id}}

Sambas Malay is predominantly spoken in the northwestern part of West Kalimantan, particularly in Sambas Regency. It is also spoken in the neighboring Bengkayang Regency and the city of Singkawang, both of which were originally part of Sambas Regency before becoming separate administrative regions. The Malay dialect spoken in Singkawang originates from Sambas Malay, as does its culture.{{Cite journal |last=Damayanti |first=Wahyu |date=17 April 2018 |title=Bentuk Derivasi Bahasa Melayu Dialek Sambas |url=https://ojs.badanbahasa.kemdikbud.go.id/jurnal/index.php/kandai/article/view/84 |journal=Kandai |language=en-US |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=255–268 |doi=10.26499/jk.v12i2.84 |doi-broken-date=6 December 2024 |issn=2527-5968}} However, it has undergone some blending with Indonesian, so it is no longer entirely Sambas Malay. Nevertheless, in northern Singkawang, many residents still use pure Sambas Malay without any mixture, particularly in the Naram subdistrict, where the community remains closely tied to Malay language and culture.{{Cite journal |last=Farenti |first=Sheila Aisyah |date=31 August 2023 |title=Budaya dan Bahasa Keluarga Multi-Suku di Kelurahan Naram Kota Singkawang |url=https://e-journal.iainptk.ac.id/index.php/JPKK/article/view/1334 |journal=Jurnal Pendidikan, Kebudayaan Dan Keislaman |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=83–90 |doi=10.24260/jpkk.v2i2.1334 |issn=2987-0607|url-access=subscription }} Sambas Malay is also spoken in Telok Melano village and other border villages in Sarawak, Malaysia, near the West Kalimantan border. The speakers in these areas are primarily descendants of Sambas Malays who migrated there. However, the use of Sambas Malay is predominantly confined to older generations, as younger residents are generally more fluent in the Kuching dialect of Sarawak Malay.{{Cite journal |last1=Dilah Tua |last2=Muhammad Jazlan Ahmad Khiri |last3=Chong Shin |date=2023 |title=Language Attitude Among the Border Community at Telok Melano, Malaysia and Temajuk, Indonesia: A Preliminary Study |url=https://doi.org/10.22801/SVN.2023.15.1.229 |journal=Suvannabhumi |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=229–254 |doi=10.22801/SVN.2023.15.1.229}}{{Cite journal |last1=Shin |first1=Chong |last2=Tuah |first2=Dilah |last3=Yusriadi |first3=Yusriadi |date=2022 |title=An Initial Qualitative Exploration of Economic, Cultural, and Language Changes in Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia |journal=Sustainability |language=en |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=2655 |doi=10.3390/su14052655 |doi-access=free |issn=2071-1050}}

In Malay-populated settlements across Sambas and its surrounding areas, Sambas Malay serves as the primary language for daily communication.{{Cite journal |last1=Apriani |first1=Ida |last2=Alimin |first2=Al Ashadi |last3=Sulastri |first3=Saptiana |date=30 May 2024 |title=Variasi Bahasa Melayu Dialek Sambas dalam Interaksi Sosial Masyarakat Desa Tanjung Mekar |url=https://jurnal.smpharapanananda.sch.id/index.php/juwara/article/view/103 |journal=Juwara: Jurnal Wawasan Dan Aksara |language=en |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=181–193 |doi=10.58740/juwara.v4i1.103 |issn=2797-2119|doi-access=free }} For the Sambas Malays, Sambas Malay is used as both a language of social interaction and a cultural language. This means that, in addition to serving as a means of communication among community members, Sambas Malay is also a medium for preserving other cultural aspects, such as traditional performances, ceremonies, and folklore.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=2}} Most Sambas Malays are bilingual in both Sambas Malay and Indonesian.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=2}} Code-switching between the two languages is common, especially in settings like markets, where people from diverse ethnic backgrounds are present.{{Cite journal |last1=Susanto |first1=Heru |last2=Sunarsih |first2=Eti |date=8 December 2020 |title=Analisis Bentuk, Jenis, Faktor Terjadinya Alih Kode antara Penjual dan Pembeli di Pasar Kuala Singkawang |url=https://journal.ikippgriptk.ac.id/index.php/bahasa/article/view/1985 |journal=Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=179 |doi=10.31571/bahasa.v9i2.1985 |issn=2407-151X|doi-access=free }} In local government offices and schools, Sambas Malay is regarded as a colloquial language and is commonly used in informal settings, while Indonesian is reserved for formal occasions.{{Cite journal |last1=Susanto |first1=Heru |last2=Santoso |first2=B. Wahyudi Joko |date=30 October 2017 |title=Wujud Peralihan Kode dalam Peristiwa Tutur Informal Masyarakat Multietnis di STKIP Singkawang Kalimantan Barat |url=https://journal.stkipsingkawang.ac.id/index.php/JP-BSI/article/view/235 |journal=Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia |language=Indonesian |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=26–30 |doi=10.26737/jp-bsi.v2i1.235 |issn=2477-846X|doi-access=free }} Sambas Malay also serves as a lingua franca for interethnic communication between Malays and other ethnic groups, such as the Dayak and Chinese communities.{{Cite journal |last1=Syahrin |first1=Alif Alfi |last2=Nurida |first2=Tresna Dwi |date=2018 |title=Eksistensi Bahasa Melayu Sambas dalam Budaya Makan Besaprah Masyarakat Melayu Sambas |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342381069 |journal=Prosiding Seminar Daring Internasional Riksa Bahasa XVII |pages=367–376 |issn=2654-8534 |eissn=2655-1780}} Additionally, the Indonesian dialect spoken in Singkawang, Sambas, and the surrounding areas has been significantly influenced by Sambas Malay, particularly in terms of tone and pronunciation.{{Cite journal |last=Mardian |first=Mardian |date=23 January 2019 |title=Interferensi Bahasa Daerah Dalam Konteks Formal di SMA Kota Singkawang |url=http://journal.stkipsingkawang.ac.id/index.php/Cling/article/view/878 |journal=Cakrawala Linguista |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=90 |doi=10.26737/cling.v1i2.878 |issn=2597-9787|doi-access=free }}

The Sambas Malay language encompasses several dialects, notably the 'e' and 'o' dialects. The differences in these dialects primarily lies in the phonology. The Malay spoken in the town of Sambas closely resembles the dialect spoken in Ngabang in Landak Regency, the Dayak Nyaduʼ language, and Pontianak Malay. The dialect in the vicinity of the former Panembahan Sambas Kingdom, the precursor to the Sultanate of Sambas, located in Teluk Keramat District, is thought to have been influenced by both Sambas Malay and Javanese. This connection is linked to the history of Panembahan Sambas, established by a king from the Majapahit Kingdom who fled with his entourage from Java. As a result, Sambas Malay dialects in areas such as Teluk Keramat, Sajad, and Paloh display notable Javanese influences.{{Cite journal |last=Wulan |first=Adisti Primi |date=2016 |title=Penanganan Dokumentasi Bahasa Melayu Sambas Menjadi Kamus Bahasa Daerah untuk Melestarikan Khazanah Bahasa |url=https://journal.fib.uho.ac.id/index.php/simposiumbahasa/article/view/292 |journal=Prosiding Simposium Internasional Bahasa, Sastra Dan Budaya 2016 |pages=1–21 |isbn=978-602-1582-13-8}}

Sambas Malay, like many other regional languages in Indonesia, lacks a standardized phonological system. Nevertheless, many of the phonological system designed for Sambas Malay is loosely based on standard Indonesian orthography, especially the system created by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.

Like Indonesian and Standard Malay, Sambas Malay has six vowels. These vowels are /i/, /e/, /ə/, /a/, /u/, and /o/,{{Sfn|Susilo et. al.|1998|p=79}}

Notes:

• In writing, {{IPAslink|e}} and {{IPAslink|ə}} are both represented as {{Grapheme|e}}. Although, {{IPAslink|e}} is sometimes specified as ⟨é⟩.

Sambas Malay has 19 consonants.{{Sfn|Susilo et. al.|1998|p=80}}

Notes:

In writing, the following phonemes are represented as thus:

• {{IPAslink|ŋ}} is {{Grapheme|ng}}
• {{IPAslink|ɲ}} is {{Grapheme|ny}}
• {{IPAslink|t͡ʃ}} is {{Grapheme|c}}
• {{IPAslink|d͡ʒ}} is {{Grapheme|j}}
• {{IPAslink|ʔ}} is {{Grapheme|k}}
• {{IPAslink|j}} is {{Grapheme|y}}

In Sambas Malay, there are three diphthongs: /ai/, /au/, and /oi/, which are pronounced as [ay], [aw], and [oy], respectively.{{Sfn|Susilo et. al.|1998|p=90}} Examples of the usage of these diphthongs are shown below:

• /ai/: pandai 'smart'
• /au/: wau 'kite'
• /oi/: tanggoi 'hat'

{{Main|Malay grammar}}

Along with Indonesian, standard Malay, and other Malayic languages, the word order in Sambas Malay is typically subject-verb-object (SVO). While there are notable exceptions, the grammar structure of Sambas Malay shares many similarities with Indonesian and Standard Malay.

Affixation, or the process of adding affixes, refers to attaching an affix to a base word, whether it is a simple or complex form, to create a new word. In Sambas Malay, there are several types of affixation: prefixation, suffixation, and circumfixation.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=15}}

The table below presents a list of affixes used in Sambas Malay, along with their allomorphs, meanings, and examples:

In Sambas Malay, reduplication is categorized into three types: total reduplication, affixed reduplication, and pseudo-reduplication. Total reduplication involves the complete repetition of the root word without any addition of affixes or alteration in form. Affixed reduplication occurs when the root word is repeated along with the addition of affixes, which may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of the word. This type is further divided into full and partial reduplication. In full reduplication, the entire word, including its affixes, is repeated. In contrast, partial reduplication repeats only the root word, excluding the affix. Lastly, pseudo-reduplication refers to the repetition of words that lack a true root word or whose meaning changes when not repeated, often serving no grammatical function.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=43}}

The meaning of reduplication becomes clearer when the repeated forms are used in sentences. Typically, reduplication conveys various nuances, such as indicating plurality, expressing actions that occur repeatedly, denoting reciprocity or mutual interaction, emphasizing intensity, signifying sincerity or seriousness, describing conditions or times (e.g., "even though"), and highlighting the abundance of entities possessing a certain quality.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=46}}

Examples of reduplications in a sentence are:

• ayam-ayam dah békukok 'the chickens have already crowed'
• abang natak-natak tali 'brother is cutting the rope into pieces'
• kamék séngantar-ngantaran makanan 'we deliver food to each other'
• taroh ladéng tinggi-tinggi 'store the knife in a very high place'
• dié béjalan palan-palan 'he's walking really slow'
• malam-malam usah bétatau 'don't wander late at night'
• dukok itok manés-manés 'those langsats are sweet'

The classification of nouns in Sambas Malay is determined through an assessment of word forms and phraseological structures. Nouns can be formed by attaching prefixes, suffixes, or circumfixes to root words derived from adjectives or verbs.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=49}} For example:

• maén 'to play' → pémaén 'player'
• singgah 'to stop' → pésinggahan 'stopping place'
• kuat 'strong' → kékuatan 'strength'
• jujor 'honest' → kéjujoran 'honesty'

Basic nouns that do not contain affixes can be identified through their use in specific phrases.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=50}} For example:

• biak nang kacék iyé adékku 'that short child is my brother'
• buah nang mudoh ndakkan nyaman 'overripe fruit is not tasty'
• daré nang ciramot iyé tuman Amat 'that beautiful girl is Amat's girlfriend'
• dié péraéh nang rajéng 'he is a diligent traveling merchant'

By attaching affixations, nouns can also be converted to verbs.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=50}} For example:

• rumpot 'grass' → mérumpot 'to find grass'
• kulék 'skin' → dikulékék 'to be skinned'
• gambar 'picture' → bégambar 'to take a picture'
• cat 'paint' → ngécat 'to paint'

From a semantic perspective, Verbs in Sambas Malay indicate actions or behaviors. Morphologically, verbs in Sambas Malay can be formed by combining root words with affixes.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=51}} For example:

• tabok 'slap' → ditabokék 'to be slapped'
• garam 'salt' → digaramék 'to be salted'
• marah 'angry' → dimarahék 'to be scolded'
• tajam 'sharp' → ditajamék 'to be sharpened'

Basic verbs that do not contain affixes can be identified through their use in specific phrases or sentences. For example:

• ayahnyé sodah makan 'his/her father has eaten'
• umak agék dudok 'mother is sitting down'
• adék tidok dangan nyanyak 'little brother is sleeping peacefully'
• nék wan nyuroh kamék sambahyang 'grandma told us to pray'

By using affixes, a verb can be changed into another type of word such as a noun. For example:

• rabos 'to boil' → rabosan 'boiled stuff'
• jantok 'to pick' → jantokan 'picked stuff'
• tanam 'to plant' → tanaman 'plants'
• ciom 'to kiss' → cioman 'kiss (noun)'

Semantically, adjectives in Sambas Malay are words that describe nouns, providing information about their qualities, states, or specific characteristics. Most adjectives in Sambas Malay are in the form of free morphemes (simple forms).{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=54}} For example:

• garam maséng 'salty salt'
• també itok pahét 'that medicine is bitter'
• kaéng itok lalam 'that cloth is very wet'
• ruangnyé basar agék luas 'the room is big and wide'

Structurally, adjectives in Sambas Malay also include words that can take the form of sé- + reduplication of the root word + -ng (or nyé).{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=54}} For example:

• mahal 'expensive' → sémahal-mahalnyé 'as expensive as'
• maséng 'salty' → sémaséng-maséngnyé 'as salty as'
• basak 'wet' → sébasak-basaknyé 'as wet as'
• bosan 'boring' → sébosan-bosannyé 'as boring as'

In Sambas Malay sentences, adjectives can be intensified using inyan 'very' or paléng 'most'. For example:

• tinggi inyan badannyé 'his body is very tall'
• lalam inyan séluarku 'my pants is very wet'
• motornyé mahal inyan 'that motorcycle is very expensive'
• dié paléng takot ndangar kisah hantu Gunong Sénujoh 'he was most afraid of hearing the story of the ghost guarding Mount Senujuh'

In Sambas Malay, some adjectives vary in intensity while still describing the same qualities or characteristics.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=55}} For example:

• japok 'slightly wet' → basak 'wet' → lalam 'very wet'
• rabék 'small tear' → rambau 'gaping tear' → badau 'very big tear'
• panéng 'a little less sane' → babang 'crazy' →gilé 'insane'

Adjectives can also be changed into another type of word such as a verb or noun. For example:

• basar 'big' → mbasar 'to become bigger'
• baék 'kind' → kébaékan 'kindness'
• kacék 'small → ngacék 'to become smaller'
• lapar 'hungry' → kélaparan 'hunger'

In Sambas Malay, numerals cannot be identified solely by their form but rather by their semantic characteristics. Numerals in Sambas Malay are words that provide information about the quantity of objects.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=56}} For example:

• satu 'one (for counting/counting activities)'
• sigék 'one (for fruits)'
• suték 'one (for other things)'
• sékok 'one (for humans and animals)'
• duak puloh limak 'twenty five (for counting)'
• limak likor 'twenty five (for information)'

The analysis of function words in Sambas Malay is based on a structural review. Unlike primary word types, function words in Sambas Malay have the following characteristics: they lack lexical meaning, do not serve as the main function in a sentence, do not undergo morphological changes, function to expand sentences and indicate the structural meaning of sentences, and show the relationships within a sentence.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=56}} For example:

• ayam nang orék hilang 'the chicken with speckled feathers is missing'
• barék dié témbakau garék ditulongnyé 'give him tobacco so he can help us'
• umak di pasar 'mother is at the market'

The bolded parts of the sentence, nang, garék, and di, indicate relationships of difference, direction, and location. In addition to the function words mentioned above, Sambas Malay also contains several function words that serve as determiners or intensifiers. For example:

• ambéklah 'take it'
• rumah di nang dicaratkannyé 'it was the house he had always dreamed of'
• kotordi bajuku kanak lumpor 'my clothes are dirty with mud'

The determiners lah and di in Sambas Malay have the same meaning, which is equivalent to the particle lah in Indonesian. The difference between the two lies in their usage. The determiner lah is placed after a verb or verb phrase, while di is placed after a noun or adjective.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=57}}

Pronouns cannot be identified based only on its form because it does not have specific characteristics. It will be discussed based on its function in a sentence. The function of pronouns is to replace a person, indicate possession, and point to or inquire about an object. In Sambas Malay, pronouns include: personal pronouns, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, and interrogative pronouns.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=58}}

This table shows an overview over the most commonly and widely used personal pronouns in Sambas Malay.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=58}}

In Sambas Malay, the second-person singular pronoun kitak is used by speakers in several villages outside the city of Sambas. The third-person plural pronoun maréké is not productive, and in casual speech, the form dié is commonly used for both singular and plural. The third-person singular pronoun biak iyé is used exclusively when referring to females, while the pronoun bagindé is reserved for referring to royalty.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=59}}

The possessive pronoun is actually a type of personal pronoun that functions to indicate possession in a sentence. As a possessive pronoun, these words take a shortened form.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=59}} For example:

• séluarku 'my pants'
• séluarmu 'your pants'
• séluarnyé 'his/her pants'
• séluar'ng 'his/her pants'

There is no difference in meaning between the binding forms -nyé and -'ng. The same applies to the binding form -ang. The distinction lies in the regional usage of these forms. The -ang binding form is used by speakers in the city of Sambas, while the other binding forms are used by speakers outside the city of Sambas.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=59}}

Demonstrative pronouns are words used to identify or point to an object, specifying its location in relation to the speaker, listener, or a third party. In Sambas Malay, examples include itok 'this,' referring to something near the speaker; iyé 'that,' referring to something near the listener; sinon 'there,' indicating something near a third party; sitok 'here,' and siyé 'there,' with siyé denoting a location slightly closer than sinon.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=60}} Demonstrative pronouns sinon, sitok, and siyé in Sambas Malay are commonly preceded by the function words di or ké, resulting in phrases like di sinon 'over there,' ké sitok 'to here,' and ké siyé 'to there.'

Interrogative pronouns are words used to inquire about objects, people, or something else. Examples of interrogative pronouns in Sambas Malay include apé 'what,' used to ask about objects; sapé 'who,' used to ask about people; and mané 'where,' used to inquire about choices involving a person, several items, or things.{{Sfn|Trimantomo et. al.|1985|p=60}} These interrogative pronouns can be used in sentences, either independently or in combination with function words. For example"

• apé nang kau bawak iyé? 'what did you bring there?'
• dangan apé kau pigi? 'what are you going with?'
• mané nang kau maokkan? 'which one do you want?'
• sapé nang kawanék kau pigi? 'who will accompany you in your trip?'

Sambas Malay has been significantly influenced by other languages, particularly standard Indonesian. Like many regional languages in Indonesia, the dominance of standard Indonesian as the national language and its role in education and professional settings have contributed to a gradual replacement of local Sambas Malay vocabulary with Indonesian equivalents. This trend is especially evident among younger generations, who often perceive traditional Sambas Malay terms as outdated or archaic.{{Cite journal |last1=Andre |first1=Andre |last2=Syahrani |first2=Agus |last3=Jupitasari |first3=Mellisa |date=26 April 2022 |title=Kosakata Arkais dalam Bahasa Melayu Dialek Sambas |url=https://jurnal.untan.ac.id/index.php/jpdpb/article/view/54396 |journal=Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran Khatulistiwa |volume=11 |issue=4 |doi=10.26418/jppk.v11i4.54396 |issn=2715-2723|doi-access=free }} Due to the strong Javanese influence in the Sambas Sultanate, Sambas Malay has incorporated numerous Javanese loanwords, including kolé ‘I’ and niké ‘you’.{{Cite journal |last=Tadmor |first=Uri |date=2003 |title=Final /A/ Mutation: A borrowed areal feature in Western Austronesia |url=http://sealang.net/archives/pl/pdf/PL-550.15.pdf |journal=Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Austronesian Linguistics and the Fifth International Conference on Oceanic Linguistics |language=en |location=Canberra |publisher=Pacific Linguistics |pages=15–36 |doi=10.15144/PL-550.15}} There is also a strong influence from Arabic, particularly in religious terms, as the majority of the people in Sambas practice Islam.{{Cite journal |last1=Haq Hussin |first1=Muhammad Saiful |last2=Ahmad |first2=Zahir |date=2010 |title=Ratib Saman: Pengaruh Bahasa dalam Masyarakat Melayu Sambas |url=https://melayu.library.uitm.edu.my/2190/ |journal=Jurnal Pengajian Melayu |volume=21 |pages=174–194 |issn=1823-7622}}

Below are examples of commonly used Sambas Malay vocabulary along with their Indonesian and English translations:

Like other Malay dialects, Sambas Malay has traditionally been written in the Arabic-based script known as the Jawi script, locally known as Arab-Melayu 'Arab-Malay'. The Jawi script came into Sambas during the spread of Islam in Indonesia. In the past, many written works, manuscripts, and scriptures produced by Islamic scholars in Sambas were written in the Jawi script.{{Cite journal |last=Muzakir |first=Ali |date=20 December 2015 |title=Petunjuk Baru Silsilah Ahmad Khatib Sambas: Tiga Teks Tulisan Melayu |url=https://jurnallekturkeagamaan.kemenag.go.id/index.php/lektur/article/view/238 |journal=Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=513 |doi=10.31291/jlk.v13i2.238 |issn=2620-522X|doi-access=free }} The tradition of using the Jawi script in the Sambas community has developed over a long period. For instance, in 1811, Sultan Abu Bakar Tajuddin sent a letter to Stamford Raffles written in Jawi script.{{Cite book |last1=Gallop |first1=Annabel Teh |title=The Legacy of the Malay Letter: Warisan Warkah Melayu |last2=Kratz |first2=Ernst Ulrich |date=1994 |publisher=Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia |others=British Library, Arkib Negara Malaysia |isbn=978-0-7123-0376-7 |location=London |language=}} Schools established before Indonesia's independence in Sambas also used Jawi script, and it was a mandatory subject for all students.{{Cite journal |last1=Sunandar |first1=Sunandar |last2=Tomi |first2=Tomi |last3=Lamazi |first3=Lamazi |date=29 June 2021 |title=Kebinekaan Melayu: Studi Melayu Sambas dalam Lintasan Sejarah dan Budaya |url=https://handep.kemdikbud.go.id/index.php/handep/article/view/145 |journal=Handep: Jurnal Sejarah Dan Budaya |language=Id |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=159–178 |doi=10.33652/handep.v4i2.145 |issn=2684-7256|doi-access=free }} After Indonesia gained independence, however, the use of Jawi script in various media, including schools, gradually declined, being replaced by the Latin script. It is no longer used for official texts or articles in books or other forms, and is now primarily used only in street signs in certain parts of Sambas city.{{Cite journal |last1=Sunantri |first1=Sri |last2=Sunandar |first2=Sunandar |last3=Posha |first3=Beti Yanuri |date=30 March 2024 |title=Seminar dan Praktek Menulis dan Membaca Teks Jawi Bagi Guru Tingkat SMP/Sederajat Sekota Sambas |url=https://pkm.lpkd.or.id/index.php/JKM/article/view/201 |journal=Jurnal Kemitraan Masyarakat |language=en |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=40–49 |doi=10.62383/jkm.v1i1.201 |doi-broken-date=15 April 2025 |issn=3032-5994}}

Currently, the Indonesian government is making efforts to revitalize the use of the Jawi script in Sambas. The script is being taught in junior high schools throughout the region as part of an initiative to preserve its usage. Some madrasahs in Sambas continue to preserve the use of the Jawi alphabet, particularly in religious sermons and Quranic recitations.{{Cite journal |last1=Suhardi |first1=Muhamad |last2=Mulyono |first2=Sri |last3=Aslan |first3=Aslan |last4=Syakhrani |first4=H. Abdul Wahab |last5=Putra |first5=Purniadi |date=5 April 2020 |title=Perubahan kurikulum lembaga pendidikan Islam di Sambas pada masa Kesultanan Sambas |url=http://ejournal.uika-bogor.ac.id/index.php/TADIBUNA/article/view/2715 |journal=Ta'dibuna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=34 |doi=10.32832/tadibuna.v9i1.2715 |issn=2622-7215|doi-access=free }}

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• Sarawak Malay
• Pontianak Malay

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last1=Susilo |first1=Firman |url=https://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/2522/1/Fonologi%20Bahasa%20Melayu%20Sambas%20%20%20141.pdf |title=Fonologi Bahasa Melayu Sambas |last2=Sulistyawati |first2=Rr. |last3=Tarno |first3=Slamet |last4=Ramdani |first4=Deden |publisher=Language Development and Cultivation Center, Department of Education and Culture |year=1998 |isbn=979-459-827-5 |location=Jakarta |language=id |trans-title=Phonology of the Sambas Malay language |ref={{sfnRef|Susilo et. al.|1998}}}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Muzamil |first1=A.R. |url=https://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/23722/1/SISTEM%20SAPAAN%20BAHASA%20MELAYU%20SAMBAS%202.pdf |title=Sistem Sapaan Bahasa Melayu Sambas |last2=Sulissusiawan |first2=Ahadi |last3=Hartono |last4=Yunus |first4=M. |publisher=Language Development and Cultivation Center, Department of Education and Culture |year=1997 |isbn=979-459-770-8 |location=Jakarta |language=id |trans-title=Addressing System in the Sambas Malay Language |ref={{sfnRef|Muzamil et. al.|1997}}}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Effendy |first1=Adam |url=https://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/2389/1/Struktur%20%26%20Fungsi%20Kalimat%20Bahasa%20Melayu%20Sambas%20%282004%29.pdf |title=Struktur dan Fungsi Kalimat Bahasa Melayu Sambas |last2=Hijriah |first2=Amanah |publisher=Language Center, Department of National Education |year=2004 |isbn=979-685-441-4 |location=Jakarta |language=id |trans-title=Structure and Function of Sentences in the Sambas Malay Language |ref={{sfnRef|Effendy & Adam|2004}}}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Trimantomo |first1=Y. |url=https://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/28074/1/MORFO%20SINTAKSIS%20BAHASA%20MELAYU%20SAMBAS.pdf |title=Morfosintaksis Bahasa Melayu Sambas |last2=Paimin |first2=Suparmin |last3=Raz. |first3=Asniadi M.T. |last4=Umar |first4=Mochtar |publisher=Language Development and Cultivation Center, Department of Education and Culture |year=1985 |isbn= |location=Jakarta |language=id |trans-title=Morphosyntax of the Sambas Malay Language |ref={{sfnRef|Trimantomo et. al.|1985}}}}

{{Languages of Indonesia}}

Category:Agglutinative languages

Category:Languages of Indonesia

Category:Malay dialects

Category:Malayic languages