How Multilingual Is the Philippines?

As an additional, you will have a quick look on the linguistic diversity of the Philippines.

Go to https://www.ethnologue.com/ and register (for free). Once you have activated your account,
browse through the website and answer the questions that follow.

1. What is the final count of established languages in the Philippines, as of date?

- The number of established languages listed for Philippines is 186. Of these, 184 are living
and 2 are extinct. Of the living languages, 175 are indigenous and 9 are non-indigenous.
Furthermore, 36 are institutional, 67 are developing, 36 are vigorous, 34 are in trouble, and
11 are dying. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages and 2 macrolanguages.
2. Browse through the listed Philippine languages. Identify at least five languages that are
unfamiliar to you.
 Balangao
 Baybayanon
 Cuyonon
 Gaddang
 Ibaloi
3. For each language listed, what can you find in the description beside it? What are those
information?
- The description shows where’s the specific location the language is use, also the number of
individual using the language and its current status. Those information are the ones that
educate readers about the information that we need to know and understand about a
certain language in our country.
4. In the Status Link, you will find the different status assigned to the languages. Choose at least
five from the list and explain what it means (e.g., The first status identified is “wider
communication”- What does this mean?. Do the same for others.
 Cebuano - (Wider communication) the language is used in work and mass media
without official status to transcend language differences across a region.
 Inabaknon - 4 (Educational) the language is in vigorous use, with standardization
and literature being sustained through a widespread system of institutionally
supported education.
 Higaonon - 5* (Developing) the language is in vigorous use, with literature in a
standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or
sustainable.
 Baybayanon - 6a* (Vigorous) the language is used for face-to-face communication
by all generations and the situation is sustainable.
 Isinay - 6b (Threatened) the language is used for face-to-face communication within
all generations, but it is losing users.
Read the article of Rodriquez’ (2014) “Should we even have a national language in the first place?” and
write a reaction essay for or against the arguments presented.

You may access the full article here: Rodriguez, B. (2014, August 23)” Should we even have a national
language in the first place?” from https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/66958-filipino-national-
language

- He makes several valid comments, such as the Philippines' multiculturalism and acceptance
of it. That is, inclusive nationalism triumphs over heritage and bloodlines in favor of freedom
and other principles and ideals that serve the people. Multiculturalism is not Regionalism;
rather, it is the acceptance of others' differences rather than their rejection.
Instead of campaigning for a single "national language," every endemic language in the
Philippines, including Tagalog, should be regarded as a treasured regional language. Every
indigenous Philippine language must be regarded as the lingua franca of the region in which
it is spoken.
I do agree with his argument because Tagalog is not better than other Philippine languages,
and we should acknowledge those differences and be better. Rather than having a national
language, why not continue to preserve and develop our own regional language, which our
forefathers used, and where we have a story and history to tell?