Kuantan language

The Kuantan language (Kuantan: Bahaso Kuantan, Jawi: بهاسو كوانتان), also known as Rantau Kuantan, is a Malayic language primarily spoken by the Kuantan people, a subgroup of the Minangkabau people residing in Kuantan Singingi Regency, southwestern Riau, Indonesia. The classification of this language is disputed, with some considering it a dialect of Riau Malay and others of Minangkabau, due to its similarity to the Minangkabau spoken in neighboring West Sumatra. The Minangkabau community classifies Kuantan as a dialect of Minangkabau, while the vast majority of Kuantan speakers reject this and instead consider it a dialect of Riau Malay. Indonesia’s Agency for Language Development and Cultivation, under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, officially categorizes Kuantan as a Minangkabau dialect spoken in Riau, though its classification is inconsistent, as it is also sometimes listed as a Malay dialect. Nevertheless, the language bears a strong resemblance to Minangkabau, particularly in its phonology, grammar, and lexicon, and remains mutually intelligible with certain Minangkabau dialects.

The Kuantan language is an integral part of daily communication among the Kuantan people. It is also used in religious sermons, engagement ceremonies, and weddings, where traditional customs are expressed in the language. Alongside Kuantan, Indonesian, the national language, is widely spoken within the Kuantan community. Indonesian is the primary language in official settings, such as government institutions and schools. Most Kuantan people are bilingual in both Kuantan and Indonesian, using the latter as a lingua franca when communicating with non-Kuantan speakers. In semi-formal settings, such as markets, Kuantan people commonly engage in code-switching and code-mixing between Kuantan and Indonesian during conversations. Even in schools, where Indonesian is the primary language of instruction, students often code-switch and code-mix between Kuantan and Indonesian when communicating with their peers and even with teachers.