Alternate Names: “Central Sakai” (pej.), Sengoi, Seng’oi, Senoi
Dialects: Betau, Bidor, Bil, Cameron (Cameron Highlands), Gopeng, Jelai, Lipis, Parit, Perak I, Perak II, Tanjung Malim, Tapah (Jalan Pahang), Telom, Ulu Kampar (Kampar). Some dialects not mutually intelligible (2006 T. Phillips).
Genealogy:
Demographics: Ethnic population: 42,400 (2008 JHEOA).
Language Use: Cameron Highlands dialect is used on radio and is a school language (Bradley 2007). Vigorous. Home, church, village. All ages. Positive attitudes. 100% also use Malay [zlm]. Some also use Temiar [tea] (Bradley 2007).
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 60%. Literacy in Semai growing. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1951–2011.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Malaysia
Other Comments: ‘Sakai’, slave. ‘Sengoi’, people, in Semai. West Semai more acculturated to Malay society than east Semai.