The study begins with a general introduction to Malaysia and its linguistic repertoire, and then focuses on the ethnic group known as Bidayuh living in the Western part of Sarawak (Borneo). The article goes on to outline the methodology employed in our research, based on a survey on language use and attitudes carried out in four different villages in the Bidayuh belt. The results are then analyzed in general terms, showing a high degree of vitality for the Bidayuh language. In contrast, when the answers given by the younger speakers of the language and those provided by the older ones are compared, a pattern of slow but steady ongoing language shift clearly emerges. The article closes with some general considerations, including further comparisons between the results of our research and those of other studies conducted in more urban environments and/or among highly educated Bidayuh. There is some evidence to show a higher degree of endangerment for the Bidayuh language outside the Bidayuh belt.

After a general introduction to the aboriginals of Peninsular Malaysia, the so-called Orang Asli, this article introduces the ethnic group upon which the research focused: the Mah Meri, a Senoi group living in the state of Selangor, not far from Kuala Lumpur. The research is based on a survey on language use and attitudes carried out in four different Mah Meri villages on Carey Island. The results are then analysed in general terms and compared with those provided by similar research carried out among the Bidayuh, a Dayak ethnic group in Borneo, showing a rather high degree of vitality for the Mah Meri language, even though lower than in the case of the Bidayuh. In contrast, when the answers given by the younger speakers of the language are compared with those provided by older speakers, a pattern of slow but steady ongoing language shift clearly emerges. The article closes with some general considerations on the state of linguistic and cultural endangerment Orang Asli are facing, including further comparisons between the results of this research and those of another study conducted in a different Mah Meri village and some suggestions on possible revitalization strategies. The evidence seems to show a relatively high degree of endangerment for the languages spoken by the Orang Asli in general, and for the Mah Meri in particular.

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This article looks at signs that have appeared in the linguistic landscape in Malaysia and in italy since the lockdown implemented in both countries in March 2020. The research is divided into two main parts, one analyzing the signs collected, and the other analyzing the answers provided by a sample of Malaysian and italian citizens to a survey on the languages used in these signs. After a general introduction to the COviD-19 crisis in the two countries, the article continues with a general overview of the linguistic landscape in Malaysia and italy and the methodology employed. There follows an analysis of both the signs and the answers provided in the surveys and a discussion, where the signs and the respondents' answers in the two countries are compared. even though some of the signs analyzed are very similar in Malaysia and italy, particularly the regulatory signs recommending the use of face masks, social distance, washing hands, etc., others have shown to be quite different. in italy, for example, they are more visible and detailed, whereas in Malaysia they tend to be more colourful. in some cases, the colours used on some signs in Malaysia subtly recall the national flag (red, blue, white and yellow), whereas light green/cyan and white were found on many signs in italy. with regard to the languages used, both countries feature only the national language (Malay in Malaysia and italian in italy) and english on their COviD-19 signs, but english is much more visible in Malaysia than in italy. introductionThe pandemic known as COviD-19 hit the whole world; starting from wuhan in China in December 2019 it spread rapidly all over five continents, infecting millions of people and killing nearly three and a half million (as of May 2021), especially the elderly, and people with previous medical conditions (wikipedia. 'COviD-19 pandemic'). COviD-19 arrived in Malaysia via singapore in late january 2020 with a handful of

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