Here are some of the major languages spoken in Borneo:
- Malay: Malay is the official language of Malaysia and is also widely spoken in Indonesian Borneo and Brunei. It is a member of the Austronesian language family, and is closely related to other languages spoken in Southeast Asia, such as Indonesian and Javanese.
- Iban: Iban is another Austronesian language that is spoken by over a million people in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is the most widely spoken language in Borneo, after Malay.
- English: English is also spoken in Borneo, particularly in the cities of Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Bandar Seri Begawan. It is used in government, business, and education.
- Dayak languages: Dayak refers to a group of indigenous peoples in Borneo who speak various Austronesian languages. There are over 200 Dayak languages and dialects spoken in Borneo, belonging to several different language families.
- Chinese languages: Chinese languages are spoken by a significant minority of the population in Borneo, mostly in the cities. The most widely spoken Chinese languages are Mandarin, Hokkien, and Hakka.
- Other languages: In addition to the languages mentioned above, there are also a number of other languages spoken by smaller communities in Borneo. These include Kadazan-Dusun, Lun Bawang, Murut, and Kelabit.