Have you heard of forest sign language? Did you know it exists in Borneo? Associate Professor Dr. Tariq Zaman from the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) shared his insights on Borneo’s sign language, focusing on efforts to preserve it for younger generations amidst advancing technology. This invaluable cultural treasure has been passed down among the Penan people, who were Borneo‘s nomads and undeniable masters of the jungle.
Professor Dr. Tariq Zaman (white shirt) with Garen Jengan (red polo shirt)
Dr. Tariq has spent the past 15 years working in Malaysian Borneo. His first encounter with Oroo’ sign language was in 2010 during his Ph.D. research when he met Penan elder, Garen Jengan, and became involved with Oroo’ language. Globally, indigenous languages are in decline, with projections indicating that half of the world’s 6,000 languages may become extinct by 2050.
For over 4,000 years, Oroo’ has been essential for the Penan, helping them communicate across 200 square kilometers of forest. Despite its cultural significance, it remains under-documented. At the Advanced Centre for Sustainable Socio-Economic and Technological Development (ASSET) at UTS, Dr. Tariq leads an initiative to preserve Oroo’, establishing a long-term partnership with the Penan community in Long Lamai. Their goal is to create digital tools to safeguard Oroo’.
Working closely with 75-year-old Garen Jengan, he has learned about the traditional Penan lifestyle. Garen, enthusiastic about ICT, believes technology can spark young Penan’s interest in their indigenous history and forest life.
Garen Jengan explaining some of the Oroo’ sign language
“He usually takes me to a nearby forest and tells me how fascinating forest life is on the way. He tells me about the plants and shows me some Oroo’ signs, which are interesting to me, but he doesn’t know much about them. So, he referred me to Richard, another Penan elder of Long Lamai who loves Oroo’ and is the master of Oroo’ signs. Richard is passionate about preserving these signs for future generations, and from there, we began working on it,” said Dr. Tariq Zaman.
The time spent with Garen ignited a profound interest in Dr. Tariq, compelling him to help despite the challenges ahead.
“What we aim to do is integrate the language into modern communication systems, such as making it available on the internet and mobile devices, so that it remains relevant in the digital age. This required a thorough investigation to materialize,” he explained.
Dr. Tariq and Garen began a joint exploration to design digital technologies for preserving indigenous knowledge. Documenting Oroo’ involves capturing, categorizing, and expanding this unique form of communication. Researchers, working closely with the Penan community, collect signs placed on “Batang Oroo‘” (message sticks), the ground, or carved into trees. These signs, made from leaves, sticks, and vines, represent stories.
Oroo’ Language of the Forest
A major challenge is the lack of a documented grammar for Oroo’. Understanding the rules for combining signs is crucial. The “Batang Oroo'” indicates direction, influencing how signs convey messages. Researchers printed all signs and had elderly community members categorize them, collecting 67 signs from eight Baram communities over 13 years. They identified nine categories: Instructions, Warnings, Information, Directions, Durations, Animals, Number of People, River Place Activity, and Hungry.
The Penan community has expanded its Oroo’ sign language, introducing signs for the birth of a baby boy or girl and distinguishing between men and women. This expansion follows community principles, with a consensus on preserving Oroo’. The book “Oroo’ Language of the Forest – Ha’ Jin Tana” was written, including textual data confirmed by elders before being photographed and translated. This marks the initial study phase.
Recording in a book is insufficient; digital technologies are needed for applicability. Researchers explored two teaching approaches: tangible tools and gamification. The first approach used capacitive sensing tangibles linked with 2D tablet representations, showing promise but raising concerns about practicality. The second approach involved an Oroo’ adventure PC game and a PO-SMS application, engaging youth but needing further refinement.
Digitization efforts require improvement. Young community members’ engagement has led to a co-design approach, ensuring the project’s alignment with community needs. The revitalization effort has gained national and international attention, attracting scholars and students to Borneo. Some scholars have applied the study paradigm to sign languages in other countries, such as Indonesia. Prof. J. Stephen Lansing collaborated with the UTS team to apply the PO-SMS approach to the Punan Batu community’s sign language. Paulina Michnowska is working with the ASSET team on art-based methodologies to make Oroo’ more relevant for young Penan.
The exploring group
This study received media coverage from organizations such as BBC News and earned several awards, including the SIGCHI Honourable Mention Award in 2015 for the best papers at CHI 2015. It was also honored at CHI 2015. Additionally, in the same year, it received the IFIP Interaction Design for International Development Award and the Brian Shackel Award.
According to Dr. Tariq, even though most signs have been collected, there is still more to discover as certain villages have yet to be approached. Moreover, the world of technology is continuously evolving with new ideas, making research essential in this endeavor.
In conclusion, the Oroo’ project represents a beacon of hope for preserving this unique indigenous language facing the precipice of extinction. Through meticulous documentation, in-depth research into sign combinations, and innovative teaching methods, the Penan community, alongside dedicated researchers, is working tirelessly to ensure Oroo’’s survival for generations to come. This collaborative effort underscores the resilience of indigenous languages and their capacity to thrive in the digital age while retaining their cultural roots.
