Language Choice and Co-construction of Solidarity within Interethnic Communication in Kiudang/Mungkom

Speech patterns within an intercultural context exhibits an interesting sociolinguistic phenomenon. In the multilingual state of Brunei Darussalam, this is not the exception. The hegemony of multilingualism and globalisation, as well as the superstratum effect of the local vernacular of Brunei Malay, has had considerable influence on the language choices within interethnic communication among the people of Brunei. An extrapolation from the previous study of “Code Choice within Intercultural Communication among Ethnic Minority” (2013) focused upon the indigenous Dusun community in Mukim Ukong. This current investigation concentrates upon another multilingual locale of Kiudang/Mungkom in Tutong District. Based on public perception and the researcher's initial observation; this community is known to practise interethnic communications. Current research extends its focus by reviewing how their language choices could assist the co-construction of solidarity among them, within a shared multilingual setting. Implementing the eponymous ethnographic observation, this study practises observation and questionnaire distribution, as well as a complementary interview, in order to progress this empirical investigation. Research found the language choice among these ethnic minorities embedded with certain motivations, and closely related to their addressee/interlocutor or audience, which strongly correlated to constructing solidarity, as well as maintaining their identity.