Languages

Brunei official language is called Bahasa Melayu or Standard Malay. Standard Malay is used as a medium of instruction on most schools.

Another language that may be easily noticed in Brunei is Arabic. Arabic is the language used in Muslims’ holy book, the Koran. Being the state’s official religion, all followers of the Islamic faith have to learn some degree of Arabic to be able to understand the messages contained in the Koran.  The Arabic language is currently being taught in religious schools and as well as in schools of higher learning and so a great number of Brunei nationals would be proficient in Arabic.

The Chinese have also a minority status in Brunei. Different districts in Brunei has different Chinese dialects, like, Hokkien is mainly used only in the Brunei-Muara District while the Belait District have Cantonese and Hakka as the choice of language among the Chinese there. Hainanese, Hoisan and Fuchow are the other Chinese languages that are actively in use in Brunei.

The Brunei citizens have also a high proficiency for the English language as they have appointed three British nationals who sit in Brunei’s appellate court. Aside from that, the expatriate community of Brunei is a bit large and so English would really be a common denominator.