KOTA KINABALU: The increasingly interconnected global environment, spanning diverse languages and cultures and driven by technology, calls for continued efforts to ensure that linguistic diversity is preserved, said Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, JP.
He said language was not merely a system of communication, but also a medium that embodied history, identity, knowledge, culture and a sense of belonging, enabling meaningful participation in society, connecting communities and preserving heritage.
“The circumstances we face today present significant opportunities for cross-border communication and collaboration,” he said when officiating the 5th International Conference on Languages, Linguistics and Society (ICLALIS) 2026 at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (PPIB), UMS, here yesterday.
Themed “Languages in Action: Linguistic Diversity, Accessibility, and Social Inclusion,” ICLALIS 2026 provides a platform for scholars, educators, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to exchange views, build collaborations and discuss contemporary language issues.
Kasim encouraged participants to utilise the conference to strengthen scholarly dialogue, challenge existing assumptions, explore interdisciplinary collaborations and generate innovative ideas with an impact beyond academia.
Meanwhile, Dean of PPIB UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Ismail Ali, said ICLALIS 2026 reflected UMS’ commitment to celebrating linguistic diversity and safeguarding linguistic heritage, particularly in the context of Sabah, which is rich in linguistic and cultural diversity.
“Language is not merely a means of communication, but connects cultures, preserves identities and empowers communities,” he said.
He said the sharing of knowledge throughout the conference was expected to generate new ideas and collaborations in the fields of language, linguistics and society, while benefiting institutions and communities.
ICLALIS 2026 Organising Chairman and PPIB UMS Deputy Dean for Research, Innovation and Community Engagement, Dr. Daron Benjamin Loo, said this year’s conference welcomed 70 local and international participants, which included presenters from China, Hong Kong and Nigeria, with 65 papers being presented, 17 online and 48 onsite.
Daron said ICLALIS 2026 also strengthened regional academic networks through the participation of keynote speakers from Taiwan and Singapore, while featuring the pre-launch of Negotiating Belonging in Borneo: Narratives of Ambivalence, published under Springer’s Asia in Transition series.
“Through this book and ICLALIS, we hope to pursue further collaborations that strengthen regional academic networks, while expanding scholarly work on Sabah and Borneo,” he said.
Kasim (fourth from right), and Ismail (third from right), with the keynote speakers from Taiwan, Professor Dr. Siaw-Fong Chung and Singapore, Professor Dr. Chang-Yau Hoon (second and third from left).
