Kampar
Ocu
Bahaso Kampau بهاسو كمڤاو
Pronunciation	[ba.ha.sokam.pau] [ba.ha.soo.t͡ʃu]
Native to	Indonesia (Riau)
Region	Primarily spoken inKampar. Also found in parts ofRokan Hilir,Rokan Hulu,Pekanbaru,Pelalawan,Kuantan Singingi, andIndragiri Hulu.
Ethnicity	Kampar
Native speakers	(100,000 cited 1978)[1]
Language family	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian disputed: Malayo-Sumbawan orGreater North Borneo Malayic Minangkabau (disputed) Kampar
Early form	Classical Kampar
Dialects	Air Tiris Bangkinang Kuntu Kuok Tapung
Writing system	Latin (Indonesian alphabet) Jawi
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–
Glottolog	None
Regencies and cities in Riau where Kampar is spoken by the majority of the population

TheKampar language (Kampar:Bahaso Kampau,Jawi: بهاسو كمڤاو), locally known asOcu (Kampar:Bahaso Ocu) is aMalayic language spoken mainly by the Kampar people, that resides inKampar Regency,Riau, Indonesia. The linguistic classification of the Kampar language remains a topic of debate, as it is sometimes regarded as a dialect of eitherRiau Malay orMinangkabau. TheAgency for Language Development and Cultivation under Indonesia'sMinistry of Primary and Secondary Education officially categorizes Kampar as a Minangkabau dialect spoken in Riau.^[2] Similarly, theMinangkabau community considers the Kampar language to be a variant of Minangkabau due to its resemblance to theLimapuluh Kota dialect. However, this perspective is challenged by the Kampar community, where the majority assert that Kampar is a dialect of Riau Malay, distinct from Minangkabau.^[3][4]

In Kampar, like otherregional languages in Indonesia, the Kampar language is primarily used for informal communication, with its formal usage mostly limited to traditional ceremonies and customary events. It is also influenced by other languages, particularlyIndonesian, the national language, which is predominantly used in formal settings such as government institutions and schools.^[1] In addition, the influence of standard Minangkabau complicates the distinction between Kampar and the Minangkabau variety spoken in West Sumatra. For example,ompek in Kampar andampek in Minangkabau both mean ‘four.’ Similarly, words such asinyo ‘he/she’,apo ‘what’, andtigo ‘three are shared by both languages with identical meanings.^[5] Most people in Kampar are bilingual in both Kampar and Indonesian, frequently engaging incode-switching andcode-mixing between the two languages.^[6][7] The Kampar language is increasingly threatened by the growing use of Indonesian, leading to the gradual replacement of traditional Kampar vocabulary with Indonesian equivalents.^[5]

The classification of the Kampar language remains disputed; however, it is generally recognized as aMalayic language. Speakers of Malayic languages are spread fromBrunei, Indonesia,Malaysia, Singapore,Southern Thailand, to the southernmost part of thePhilippines. Malay is a member of theAustronesian family of languages, which includes languages fromTaiwan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean, with a smaller number in continental Asia.Malagasy, a geographic outlier spoken inMadagascar in the Indian Ocean, is also a member of this language family. Although these languages are not necessarilymutually intelligible to any extent, their similarities are often quite apparent. In more conservative languages like Malay, many roots have come with relatively little change from their common ancestor,Proto-Austronesian. There are manycognates found in the languages' words for kinship, health, body parts and common animals. Numbers, especially, show remarkable similarities.^[8]

The linguistic classification of Kampar remains a subject of debate. At times, it is considered a dialect of eitherRiau Malay orMinangkabau.^[9] Kampar is a variety within the Malayic language family; however, it has yet to receive a widely accepted language code or internal classification within the Malayic group. The geographical distribution of Kampar, situated between the Minangkabau-speaking region to the west and the Riau Malay-speaking region to the east, has led to mutual linguistic influence between these languages, forming part of adialect continuum in centralSumatra.^[10]

For its speakers, Kampar is referred to asBahasa Ocu and is considered a variety of Riau Malay, distinct from Minangkabau. In various publications, it is alternatively labeled asMelayu Kampar 'Kampar Malay',^[11]Melayu dialek Kampar 'Kampar Malay dialect',^[12][13] orMelayu Riau dialek Kampar 'Kampar Riau Malay dialect'.^[14][15][16] However, other sources, such as the 1982 bookStruktur Bahasa Minangkabau di Kabupaten Kampar published by theIndonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, provide a detailed grammatical description of Minangkabau as spoken in Kampar Regency, suggesting a strong linguistic connection to Minangkabau.^[1] Additionally, the 2017 bookBahasa dan Peta Bahasa di Indonesia, also published by the Ministry of Education and Culture, further supports the presence of Minangkabau in Kampar Regency, leading some publications to classify Kampar asMinang Kampar 'Kampar Minangkabau' orMinang dialek Kampar 'Kampar Minangkabau dialect'.^[2] Similarly, Masni et al. (2021) found in their study of the Kuntu isolex in Kampar Regency that its phonemic diversity aligns with Minangkabau dialects, despite its administrative location inRiau.^[17]

Hamidy (2002) identified six dialects of Riau Malay, distinguished primarily by intonation and lexical differences:^[18][19][20]

• Dialect of isolated communities
• Petalangan
• Rokan
• Rantau Kuantan
• Kampar
• Riau Coastal

In 2009, a language mapping team from the Riau Provincial Language Center classified Kampar (divided into Kampar and East Kampar dialects) as part ofMelayu Darat ‘Inland Malay’, alongside the Kuantan and Rokan dialects.^[21]

Similarities between Kampar and Minangkabau, particularly with theLimapuluh Kota dialect, have led some scholars to classify Kampar as a dialect of Minangkabau.^[22][23] Said et al. (1986) stated that the language spoken in westernKampar Regency (which corresponds to the current Kampar Regency after separation of other regencies) is Minangkabau.^[1] The IndonesianAgency for Language Development and Cultivation also classifies the Kampar dialect as one of the Minangkabau dialects spoken in Riau, alongside Rokan, Basilam, Indragiri, and Kuantan dialects. The lexical difference between Kampar and other Minangkabau dialects ranges from 51% to 69%. Based on the classification theories of Guiter and Lauder, this percentage indicates that Kampar and Minangkabau are dialectally distinct but closely related languages.^[2]

The Kampar language is primarily spoken along theKampar River inKampar Regency, located in western Riau near the border withWest Sumatra. It is also spoken in parts ofRokan Hilir,Rokan Hulu,Pekanbaru,Pelalawan,Kuantan Singingi, andIndragiri Hulu.^[2] The Kampar language is also spoken by descendants of Kampar migrants inMalaysia, particularly inPahang,Perak,Selangor, and to some extent,Kedah.^[24] Between the 16th and 20th centuries, approximately eight waves of migration brought the Kampar people from present-day Kampar to theMalay Peninsula.^[3] Notable examples includeSultan Ali Alauddin Shah’s journey from Kampar to Pahang, where he established Pekan Tua before foundingJohor Lama in 1540, the arrival ofSultan Muzaffar II of Johor in Perak from Kampar, where he was later crowned Sultan, and the migration of Kampar people to the Malay Peninsula as traders, among other movements.^[3] The Kampar language is still spoken as the mother tongue of the Kampar community in Malaysia, though it has developed distinct characteristics, particularly in terms of accent and influences from other languages, such asMalaysian Malay.^[25]

In Kampar, the Kampar language plays a vital role in the community's daily life, serving as the primary means of communication among its people. The Kampar language is also used to promote traditional Kampar ceremonies and oral literature.^[26] The use of this regional language fosters a strong sense of cultural identity, as it is intricately tied to the traditions and heritage of the Kampar community.^[27] Most members of the Kampar community are fluent in both Kampar andIndonesian, the national language. While Kampar is predominantly used in informal, everyday interactions, Indonesian is more widely used in formal settings, such as government and educational institutions.^[1][7] Indonesian also serves as alingua franca for communication between Kampar residents and those from other regions. However, in certain situations, including some formal settings like schools, the use of the Kampar language is often preferred.^[28] It is also quite common for the people of Kampar to engage incode-switching andcode-mixing between Kampar and Indonesian.^[6] The use of the Kampar language is currently under threat due to cultural acculturation and the growing influence of Indonesian, particularly among younger generations. Many traditional Kampar lexicons have fallen into disuse and are gradually being replaced by their Indonesian equivalents.^[5]

The Kampar language has two variants: Classical Kampar and Modern Kampar. Classical Kampar, influenced byClassical Malay, was spoken from the 15th to the 19th century, primarily by the older generation born and raised in Kampar. This variant is considered more authentic and is easier to pronounce for the older speakers.^[29] In contrast, Modern Kampar has been in use since the 19th century and continues to be spoken today. It is primarily used by younger generations born in the 1990s and beyond, as well as by immigrants who were not born in Kampar.^[29] There are notable differences between the two variants, particularly in terms of phonology and vocabulary. Phonologically, Modern Kampar is easier to pronounce and more flexible.^[30] For example, the wordbuntagh meaning 'round' in Classical Kampar has evolved intobulek in Modern Kampar. The phonemes in Classical Kampar are more complex and harder to pronounce compared to those in Modern Kampar. In terms of vocabulary, Classical Kampar still retains many traditional vocabularies, with many words, such as those containing the "gh" phoneme, being difficult to pronounce. Additionally, Classical Kampar strongly reflects the local culture and still retains many traditional terms no longer used in Modern Kampar. On the other hand, Modern Kampar has been influenced by external languages, such asIndonesian, resulting in significant changes in vocabulary.^[29] The table below compares the vocabulary between Classical and Modern Kampar:

In addition, the Kampar language encompasses various dialects and isolects, each with unique characteristics, particularly in phonology and vocabulary, that distinguish them from one another.^[31] For example, the Tapung dialect spoken in northern Kampar exhibits characteristics of the Riau Coastal Malay dialect, which is spoken inSiak andBengkalis, due to the region's historical connection with theSiak Sultanate.^[32] There are also other dialects in the Kampar language, such as Air Tiris, Bangkinang, Kuntu, Kuok, and Tapung.

The Kampar language, like many otherregional languages in Indonesia, lacks a standardized phonological system. Nevertheless, many of the phonological system designed for the Kampar language is loosely based on standardIndonesian orthography, especially the system created by the IndonesianMinistry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.

The Kampar language has six vowels. These vowels are /i/, /e/, /ə/, /a/, /u/, and /o/.^[33][17] In contrast, standardMinangkabau lacks the vowel /ə/.^[34]

Notes:

• In writing,/e/ and/ə/ are both represented as⟨e⟩.

The Kampar language has 19 consonants.^[35][17][16] Kampar lacks the /r/ consonant found in standard Minangkabau, whereas standard Minangkabau lacks the consonant /ʁ/.

Notes:

• In writing, the following phonemes are represented as thus:
  • /ŋ/ is⟨ng⟩
  • /ɲ/ is⟨ny⟩
  • /t͡ʃ/ is⟨c⟩
  • /d͡ʒ/ is⟨j⟩
  • /ʔ/ is⟨k⟩
  • /j/ is⟨y⟩
  • /ʁ/ is⟨gh⟩
• The phoneme /ʁ/ is realized differently across various dialects, with phonetic variations [r], [ʀ], and [ʁ]. This phoneme is commonly written asgh. For example, the word 'blood' in Kampar is translated asdagha and may be pronounced as [dara],^[36] [daʁa],^[17] or [daʀa].^[16]

Diphthong phonemes in the Kampar language vary across subdialects or isolects. For example, the Kuntu isolect has 8 diphthongs: /io/, /ua̯/, /ui/, /ai/, /au/, /ie̯/, /uo̯/, and /ou/.^[17] In contrast, the isolects of Bangkinang and Air Tiris have 7 diphthongs: /ia̯/, /ua̯/, /ui/, /oi/, /ai/, /iu/, and /au/.^[37] Below are examples of diphthong usage:

Along withMinangkabau,Indonesian,Malay, and other related languages, the word order in the Kampar language is typicallysubject-verb-object (SVO). While there are notable exceptions, the grammar structure of the Kampar language shares many similarities with Indonesian and Malay.

Similar to other Malayic languages, the Kampar language featuresaffixes. There are four types of affixes in Kampar:prefixes,suffixes,infixes, andcircumfixes.^[38] The table below provides examples of affixes used in Kampar, along with their allomorphs, meanings, and usage:

As in other Malayic languages, the Kampar language usesreduplication. Reduplication in the Kampar language carries various meanings, including resemblance or similarity, plurality (many), repetition or frequent occurrence, continuous or ongoing action, completion or past occurrence, reciprocity, superlative intensity, sequential events, and collective grouping.^[51] In the Kampar language, reduplication can be divided into three categories: affixed reduplication, full reduplication, and partial reduplication.^[52] Affixed reduplication can be further categorized into infix reduplication, simulfix reduplication, prefix reduplication on the first base, prefix reduplication on the second base, suffix reduplication, and circumfix reduplication.^[53] Full reduplication is divided into standard full reduplication and sound-alternating full reduplication.^[54] Lastly, partial reduplication can be classified into affixed partial reduplication and non-affixed partial reduplication.^[55]

Examples of affixed reduplication are shown below:

• tengok 'to see'→tengok-tengoan 'to see one another'
• pajie 'child'→kapajie-pajiean 'childish'
• tampau 'to hit'→tampau-manampau 'to hit something repetitively'
• pendek 'short'→sapendek-pendeke 'as short as possible'

Examples of full reduplication are shown below:

• duduok 'to sit'→duduok-duduok 'to sit around'
• logu 'song'→logu-logu 'songs'
• sayugh 'vegetable'→sayugh-mayugh 'vegetables'
• goghak 'to move'→goghak-gaghik 'movement'

Examples of partial reduplication are shown below:

• laghi 'to run'→belaghi-laghi 'to run around'
• ngunyah 'to chew'→mangunyah-ngunyah 'to chew repetitively'
• padusi 'girl'→padusi-padusi 'girls'
• oti 'bread'→oti-oti 'breads'

There are two types ofnouns in the Kampar language: basic nouns and derived nouns. Basic nouns, in terms of form and meaning, are classified into general basic nouns and specific basic nouns.^[56] General basic nouns are monomorphemic, consisting of only one morpheme, and semantically denote places, descriptions, time, tools, and methods of performing actions.^[56] Meanwhile, specific basic nouns refer to locations, geographical names, idiomatic expressions, personal names, kinship terms, and days of the week.^[56] Nouns can be derived through affixation, which is the process of forming nouns by adding specific affixes to root words.^[57] It is important to note that the base for noun derivation is not always a root word. The affixes used in noun derivation mainly consist of three prefixes and one suffix:ka-,par-,pang-, and-an. However, since prefixes and suffixes can be combined, there are a total of seven affixation patterns in noun derivation:ka-,par-,pang-,-an,pang-...-an,par-...-an, andka-...-an.^[57]

Examples of basic nouns are shown below:

• matoaghi 'sun'
• ughang 'people'
• kosiok 'sand'
• dobu 'dust'

Examples of derived nouns are shown below:

• kighim 'to send' +-an→ kighiman 'something that is sent'
• ka- +pandai 'smart +-an→ kapandaian 'intelligence'
• pa- +mudo 'young'→ pamudo 'youngster'
• pa- + jonji 'to promise' +-an→ pajonjian 'promise/agreement'

Verbs in the Kampar languagegenerally have certain characteristics. Their markers can sometimes be found within the verb itself or determined by other words that appear before it. The markers found within the verb itself are bound morphemes, the types of which can be seen in the verb structure previously outlined.^[58] However, it should be clarified that without these markers, it only indicates the possibility that the word is a verb. This is because the same markers can sometimes also function as noun markers, as previously explained.^[58] The presence of a verb can sometimes be predicted by looking at specific words that appear before it. The words that precede the verb are auxiliary verbs, such as aspect andmodal markers. The aspect markers include words such aska 'will',sodang 'is (ongoing)',ola 'has (completed)', andbaru 'just'. The modal markers include words such asdapek 'can',omuo 'want',bulio 'may',mungkin 'maybe', andbarangkali 'perhaps'.^[58]

Verbs can be distinguished based on whether they consist of only one or more free morphemes or a combination of free and bound morphemes.^[59] Verbs that consist of only one free morpheme include words liketobang 'fly',lolok 'sleep', andmakan 'eat'. Verbs consisting of two free morphemes include words likepulangbaliok 'go and return',tutun naiok 'go up and down', andjago lolok 'wake up'. Verbs that combine free and bound morphemes appear in highly varied forms. They are usually derived from other word classes, such as nouns, adjectives, numerals, functional words, or even other verbs, through the addition of affixes.^[60]

Below are some examples of verbs derived from affixes:

• tingi 'high' +-an → tingian 'to go taller'
• manN- + batu 'stone'→ mambatu 'to freeze like a stone'
• pa- +untuok 'for' +-an → pauntuokan 'to be intended for'
• ka- +masuok 'to enter' +-an → kamasuokan 'to be entered by something unexpectedly'

Adjectives in the Kampar language function as the core of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Additionally, adjectives also serve as the head of adjectival phrases and frequently function as predicates in sentences.^[61] Most adjectives consist of only one morpheme, while others consist of two or more morphemes.^[62] Adjectives that consist of a single morpheme are those formed from free morphemes. Examples of this type include adjectives such astinggi ‘tall’,putio ‘white’, andabak ‘brave’. Adjectives that consist of two or more morphemes contain at least one free morpheme combined with another free morpheme or a bound morpheme. Adjectives that contain two free morphemes include words such asgodang ota ‘boaster’,busuok ati ‘jealous’, andmani muluik/‘ 'sweet-mouthed’. These adjectives follow the noun-adjective pattern.^[62] In addition to this structure, there are also adjectives with a structure of adjective-adjective, similar to adjectives likekayo andiu ‘rich but foolish’,codiok bughuok ‘clever but ugly’, anditam mani ‘sweet black’ (possibly meaning an appealing dark complexion). Adjectives can also be derived by adding affixes to words from different word classes, as illustrated below:

• ka- +malam 'night' +-an → kamalaman 'too late (night)'
• ka- +candu 'addict' + -an→ kacanduan 'addicted'
• ta- +godang 'large'→ tagodang 'largest'
• sa- +mura 'cheap'→ samura 'as cheap as'

Morphologically, it is not easy to determine the structure ofadverbs. The difficulty lies in the fact that the structure of adjectives in certain cases is identical to the structure of adverbs.^[61] The wordcopek 'quickly' might be categorized as either an adjective or an adverb. In the phraselarino copek-copek 'his running quickly', the wordcopek-copek, which modifies the nounlarino 'running', functions as an adjective. However, in the sentenceino lari copek-copek 'he runs quickly', the same word is no longer considered an adjective because it modifies the verblari 'run', so it functions as an adverb.^[61] The reality shows that it is not easy to determine the structure of adverbs. This affects how challenging it is to determine the marker of adverbial words. What can be reported is that reduplicated morphemes can be proposed as markers of adverbs.^[61]

The words that fall under the category of function words in the Kampar language include prepositions, coordinators, subordinators, and demonstrative pronouns. Generally, function words consist of free morphemes, and these free morphemes rarely appear together with bound morphemes.^[63] Words likedi 'at',ka 'to',untuok 'for' are rarely found together with affixes like-an or-kan. Examples of function words in the Kampar language aredi 'at',ka 'to',tapi 'but',sobap 'because', andsalai 'from'.^[63]

The Kampar language has a rich and distinctive vocabulary, with many words resembling those of standardMinangkabau spoken in neighboringWest Sumatra.^[64] Over time, it has been influenced by other languages, particularlyIndonesian. As the national language, Indonesian has increasingly shaped Kampar, gradually replacing its traditional lexicon.^[5] This shift poses a threat to the continued use of traditional Kampar terms, putting them at risk of extinction. Additionally, the influence of regional languages like standard Minangkabau further blurs the distinction between Kampar and Minangkabau vocabulary.^[5] The table below provides examples of common Kampar vocabulary used on a daily basis along with their standard Minangkabau, Indonesian, and English equivalents.

The Kampar language was historically written in theJawi script, also known asArab-Melayu 'Arab-Malay', a modified form of theArabic script. In the past, Jawi was widely used in Kampar, especially forIslamic purposes, including manuscripts, inscriptions, and other forms of traditional literature.^[65] The Jawi script was widely used to record traditional Kampar literature, such asnazam, a literary form passed down through generations. Typically written and recited in a rhythmic manner,nazam is often rich in spiritual values, particularly Islamic teachings.^[66] Nearly allnazam convey religious advice, laws, history, morality, and ethnic customs, all of which are deeply rooted in Islamic principles. However, very few Kampar people can read the Jawi script, as literacy rates remain low, and traditional Kampar literature is primarily passed down through oral tradition.^[67] The use of the Jawi script declined significantly with the onset ofEuropean colonization in the region, who introduced theLatin script. AfterIndonesia's independence,Indonesian, written in the Latin script, became the national language and the primary medium of instruction in schools, further accelerating the decline of the Jawi script. Today, the use of the Jawi script in Kampar is limited, though it is still taught as part of the regional language curriculum in local schools.^[68]

• Kampar Regency
• Minangkabau language
• Kuantan language
• Mukomuko language
• Pesisir language
• Jamee language

• Andriana, Mella; Auzar; Charlina (2020-06-18)."Reduplikasi Bahasa Melayu Riau Dialek Kampar Kiri".GERAM.8 (1):27–36.doi:10.25299/geram.2020.vol8(1).4848.ISSN 2580-376X.
• Martius (2016-08-04)."Afiks Bahasa Melayu Riau Dialek Kampar (Kajian Fungsi dan Makna)".Sosial Budaya.12 (2):203–214.doi:10.24014/sb.v12i2.1940 (inactive 1 July 2025).ISSN 2407-1684.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
• Sulaiman, Ermawati; Hermaliza, Hermaliza (2019-12-08)."Nomina Bahasa Melayu Riau Dialek Kampar: Tinjauan Bentuk Morfologis".GERAM.7 (2):1–16.doi:10.25299/geram.2019.vol7(2).3768 (inactive 1 July 2025).ISSN 2580-376X.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
• Said, Chatlinas; Gandor, Yusuf; HRL, Zainuddin; Yusuf, H. Yusna; Noor, Rumia Bahri; Zulnasri (1986).Struktur Bahasa Minangkabau Di Kabupaten Kampar [Structure of the Minangkabau language spoken in Kampar Regency](PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta:Agency for Language Development and Cultivation.
• Sardila, Vera; Nurani, Nuraini; Faiza, Nurul; Silvia, Nur; Ainiyah, Nazhratun (2024-07-27)."Analisis Perbedaan Bahasa Melayu Riau Klasik dan Bahasa Melayu Riau Modern di Kampar".Gurindam: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra (in Indonesian).4 (1):18–26.doi:10.24014/gjbs.v4i1.28630 (inactive 1 July 2025).ISSN 2798-6675.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)

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