OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Kadazandusun Language Foundation are wide ranging and are subdivided into four programme areas, each having separate goals, rationale and strategies.

• Linguistics and Anthropology
• Literacy and Literature
• Translation
• Community service, Training and Development

Linguistics and Anthropology

Goals

• To publish technical papers on the Kadazandusun language and culture
• To publish text collections to add to the body of literature written in the local languages
• To set up a Resource/Information Centre
• To publish dictionaries
• To gain competency in both the language and culture of other indigenous groups

Rationale

Linguistics and anthropology are both fundamental to translation and literacy, and include collection of data, the processing of the data, e.g., filing and analysis, and the sharing of the data either by archiving or publication.

Therefore, technical papers on the Kadazandusun language and culture need to be published to enhance the process of development of the language. These materials will greatly benefit those who are interested or are doing linguistic research.

KLF collects and publishes such material in order to increase the body of research literature on the Kadazandusun language and other local languages of Sabah. Original materials collected as well as other unpublished materials are kept in KLF's newly-established Resource Centre.

KLF has plans to publish an English-Kadazandusun and a Malay-Kadazandusun dictionary for non-Kadazandusun speakers and to aid in translation work. KLF has recently completed a "Beginner's Dictionary" (2001) which in part achieves this aim. These publications will supplement the comprehensive Tri-lingual dictionary (Kadazan Dusun - Malay - English) (1995) which is mainly for use by Kadazandusun speakers.

Researchers working with KLF do undergo language and culture training in other indigenous languages of Sabah to attain FSI L4 (U.S. Foreign Services Institute, Level 4 ) in speaking proficiency. This is a long term goal of the KLF - to be competent in both the language and culture of other local groups - in order to assist in preparation of bridge materials to enable local people to use materials written in other languages of wider communication, such as Malay, the national language.

Strategies

To achieve KLF's goal in publishing and hence increasing the body of literature written in the local languages, KLF has set up a desktop publishing unit. Staff members involved in publication are trained in the mechanics of book publications so that manuscript can be sent to the printer in photo-ready/camera-ready form.

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• To establish a positive attitude towards the mother tongue in written form
• To encourage and implement methods on how to acquire/improve literacy skills
• To develop and provide a body of oral and written literature to support local education and development efforts (including material that will take into account people's desire to learn other languages)
• To ensure that there is an on-going distribution of vernacular materials
• To encourage on-going use of vernacular literature

Rationale

The main focus for literacy and literature is to instill interest and make available literature in the vernacular language.

Strategies

To achieve its goals in Literacy and Literature, KLF has established a plan for text collection, i.e., by identifying local talents (writers and illustrators), organising Writer's Workshops, Creative Writing Competition, Folklore Writing Competition and Speech Competitions at district and state levels, and conducting field work/research.

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Goals

• To translate essential materials such as health books and functional literacy materials from Malay or English into the local language
• To provide translation service to those who need to have materials translated into Kadazandusun
• To give training in translation principles
  

Rationale

Translation of materials that carry moral values is essential to supplement existing materials written in the local languages and to meet the demand for more vernacular reading materials, especially for children still learning their mother tongue. These materials are also needed for mother tongue speakers who have a healthy attitude toward their mother tongue and enjoy expressing themselves in it, and therefore would want to read in their own language, rather than use a trade language.

Translated materials are a tool used to disseminate information to the general public, especially to those who only speak or read in their mother tongue (L1) and/or cannot speak or read in a second (L2) or third language (L3). This situation may occur in rural areas where fluency in the national language and English is low.

It is therefore through these translated materials that government agencies are able to reach out to rural folks. This in turn can foster understanding and hence further enhance the promotion of national integration.

By having translated materials from a second or third language, not only can these materials be used as a tool of communication but they also compensate for the dearth of materials written in the indigenous languages of Sabah.

Strategies

• Identify materials to be translated into the indigenous languages
• Make the translation service at the KLF known to those who need assistance in translation or to those who need to have their translation work checked

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Goals

• To establish a community-based service and development programme
• To train literacy teachers from among local communities
• To conduct writers workshops
• To conduct literacy materials production workshops

Rationale

Training and development is a major focus of KLF. KLF provides training to local communities in literacy, translation and linguistics. Programmes recommended or implemented are self-help programmes, sponsored and implemented by the community itself. This is to instill the feeling that the programme is "to the community, from the community and for the community". The aim is to avoid relying solely on outside resources and expertise and also to ensure that any programme conducted is continually supported by that community.

Strategies

To achieve these goals, KLF has established a system to conduct trainings to train literacy teachers in order to provide opportunity for the non-literate to learn to read and write. Workshops on the importance of local language in literacy programmes are also carried out. KLF also establishes network with other entities such as PACOS ( Partners for Community Organisation) which currently runs community-base pre-schools throughout Sabah. KLF plays its role by giving input during their community pre-school teacher trainings.

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