Ranau:Digital technology, including artificial intelligence, holds potential as a crucial medium in preserving the Dusun language, ensuring its continued use and inheritance by future generations, according to Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Joachim highlighted the potential of modern technology to aid in the preservation of the Dusun language through the development of digital dictionaries, recordings of Dusun speech, podcast production, and online learning materials. He emphasized the importance of involving the younger generation, educational institutions, and local communities in these efforts to maintain the relevance of the language in daily life.

Dr Joachim expressed concern over the diminishing use of the language, noting the risk of losing a vital part of the community's identity and heritage. In his statement, he questioned the future of the Dusun language, asking whether children and grandchildren will still be able to speak their mother tongue and understand the cultural foundations of their identity in the next 50 years.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Ranau Dusun Language and Culture Festival, Dr Joachim, who also serves as Sabah's Minister of Works and Utilities, encouraged educational institutions to collaborate with cultural organizations and local communities to document materials related to Dusun history, language, and culture for educational and research purposes.

He stressed that the responsibility of preserving the Dusun language extends beyond specific groups, requiring the commitment of the entire community, particularly parents and the younger generation, to continue practicing their mother tongue. Dr Joachim expressed hope that efforts to elevate the Dusun language would persist beyond the festival, through ongoing education, documentation, research, and active community use.