Revitalising the Kadazan Language through Kadazanlin GO!

Bernadette Peter Lidadun, Norazrina Ag-Ahmad, Ahmad Fauze Abdul Hamit, Rita Lasimbang and Sandra Ivory Logijin
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Bernadette Peter Lidadun: Academy of Language Studies, University Technology MARA, Sabah Branch, Malaysia
Norazrina Ag-Ahmad: Academy of Language Studies, University Technology MARA, Sabah Branch, Malaysia
Ahmad Fauze Abdul Hamit: Faculty of Business and Management, University Technology MARA, Sabah Branch, Malaysia,
Rita Lasimbang: Kadazandusun Language Foundation, Sabah, Malaysia
Sandra Ivory Logijin: Curriculum Development Division, Ministry of Education

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 25, 288-293

Abstract: The Kadazan language, once vibrant, now faces a critical threat to survival. According to the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale, it sits at a precarious level 6b, spoken mainly by adults over 30 while children are no longer acquiring it as their first language. Without urgent revitalization efforts that resonate with today's digital-native learners, this heritage language risks further decline. To address this challenge, KadazanlinGO! introduces a gamified mobile learning application designed to make Kadazan language learning engaging, accessible, and culturally immersive. Developed in close collaboration with native speakers, the app targets children, teens, and adults through a user-friendly interface that combines multimedia content with interactive gameplay. It is crafted using Flutter, enabling cross-platform deployment across Android and iOS with a single code base. Its key features include foundational vocabulary, common expressions with authentic audio pronunciation, and quizzes presented in three languages - Kadazan, Malay, and English. Its four carefully developed thematic modules are contextualized within the Kadazan culture, making learning relevant to the Global Goals, SDG4 and SDG11. This innovation is highly significant to both language and education, as it cultivates language acquisition skills and revitalisation while strengthening cultural identity. By championing cultural preservation through digital empowerment, KadazanlinGO! establishes a pioneering model for other endangered languages. It is a direct, tangible answer to the call of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032. KadazanlinGO! represents a vital step toward preserving linguistic diversity and empowering future generations to reconnect with their heritage in a digital age.

Date: 2025
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