GROUP 3

Philippine Languages and where they are

spoken
Prepared By:
Bahian, Evander James
Cabasan, Christian Jude
Ramos, Julieta
Villena, Cheddy Capacillo
Introduction
The Philippines has a population of more than 100 million people distributed across 7,000
islands. With steep mountain ranges, extensive river plains, and valleys, the major islands have
a diverse spectrum of geographical features. According to Ethnologue (Simons and Fennig
2017), there are 175 indigenous Philippine languages spoken by two phylogenetically separate
groups: the "Southern Mongoloid" and the "Negritos."

All Philippine languages belong to the Austronesian language family. Despite proposals to
the contrary (e.g., Donohue and Denham 2010: 231; 248), there is no linguistic evidence, for
prehistoric contact between either of the two phylogenetically distinct groups in the Philippines
and any other known linguistic phylum, such as AustroAsiatic or any other island or mainland
non-Austronesian Southeast Asian group. There has been no evidence produced for any
linguistic substratum in the languages of the Philippines from any non-Austronesian group that
may have occupied the country prior to the in-migration of people speaking Austronesian
languages.
Language Relationship
Modeling Linguistic Events in Philippine Prehistory.

• There are a wide range of events in Philippine prehistory that have resulted in the current Philippine linguistic
situation. The major event was the first arrival of Austronesian speakers into the country, which brought the
language that has now dispersed throughout the Indonesian and Malaysian areas, west to Madagascar, and east
throughout the Oceanic area.

The Arrival and Spread of Austronesian-speaking Populations.

• There is overwhelming and incontrovertible evidence that Proto-Austronesian (PAN) was spoken in what is now
Taiwan. Archeological evidence suggests that in-migrations of various populations from mainland Asia at around
5000BP contributed to the formation of the parent language. Blust (1999) claims that 10 subgroups had developed
in Taiwan by the time that one of them, Malayo-Polynesian (MP), migrated south to the Philippines, and eventually
through Borneo and Sulawesi to Oceania. Archaeological evidence places the date of the first movement into the
Northern Philippines at around 4000BP (Bellwood 2007, with dates questioned by Anderson 2005).

• Blust (1999) claims that around 1,000 years after the dispersal of Philippine languages, there was a ‘great
extinction’, with one language expanding and wiping out all other languages in the Philippines, in a bid by its
speakers to find new agricultural land. Subsequently, this language differentiated into the different subgroups found
today in the Philippines. Normally, innovations should be indicative of subgrouping. However, they can arise in an
environment where different language communities develop close trade or societal ties.
Language Relationship
Language Relationship
Language Relationship
Language Relationship
• Philippines could have developed. He also notes that since there was no pause, the innovations that are attributed to ‘Proto-
Philippines’ must have diffused over a dialect network that extended over the whole of the Philippines and nearby areas. I also
consider that Philippine languages constitute part of a network of language subgroups that developed as each regional group
gradually differentiated itself from the MP dialect network that rapidly spread south through the Philippines following initial settlement
in Batanes or northern Luzon.

Prior Languages in the Philippines before the Arrival of Austronesian speakers.

• There are about 27 Negrito groups in the Philippines still retaining their identity as distinct from non-Negritos groups (see Map 6-4).
The archaeological evidence is clear; Negritos inhabited the Philippines for many thousands of years before the Austronesians
arrived from Taiwan. It is assumed that today’s Negritos are the descendants of the earliest human populations in the Philippines,
with archaeological evidence from Callao caves in northern Luzon.

• We do not know what languages they spoke before their contact with their new neighbors, but it is assumed that because of the
immense amount of time since their first arrival, multiple probably very distinct languages were used, although regional groups could
well have spoken related languages. Today Negrito groups no longer speak their traditional languages; they have all switched to
speaking MP languages, sometimes only remotely related to their closest MP language. The position of the languages spoken by
Negrito populations in relation to other Philippine languages is instructive of their probable history.

Inati Language

• Inati, the language of the Ati Negritos spoken in the island of Panay appears to be an isolate among Philippine languages, and
similarly Manide with its closely related Negrito language Inagta Alabat appears to be an isolate also (Lobel 2010). Although while
they cannot be shown to be genetically closely related to any other Philippine language, they have borrowed heavily from the
languages that currently surround them.
Language Relationship
Language Family
A language family is a set of languages deriving from a common ancestral language or parental language, called the
proto-language of that family.
Tagalog
• Tagalog (Filipino) belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.
• The Malayo-Polynesian languages are a subgroup of the Austronesian languages, with approximately 385.5 million
speakers.
• The Malayo-Polynesian languages are spoken by the Austronesian peoples outside of Taiwan, in the island nations
of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean, with a smaller number in continental Asia in the areas near the Malay
Peninsula.
• The term "Malayo-Polynesian" was originally coined in 1841 by Franz Bopp as the name for the Austronesian
language family as a whole, and until the mid-20th century (after the introduction of the term "Austronesian" by
Wilhelm Schmidt in 1906), "Malayo-Polynesian" and "Austronesian" were used as synonyms.
• Austronesian languages, formerly Malayo-Polynesian languages, family of languages spoken in most of the
Indonesian archipelago; all of the Philippines, Madagascar, and the island groups of the Central and South Pacific
(except for Australia and much of New Guinea); much of Malaysia; and scattered areas of Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos, and Taiwan.
LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Central Philippine
• Tagalog
Language Family
Cebuano
Cebuano, also referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya or Binisaya, is an
Austronesian language, spoken in the southern Philippines.
Specifically flourishes in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and on most of
Mindanao.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Greater Central Philippine
• Central Philippine
• Visayan
• Cebuano
Language Family

Ilocano
Ilocano also known as Ilokano and Iloko, is a member of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of
the Austronesian language family.
Ilocano is spoken as a first language by some 7 million people, primarily in Northern Luzon,
La Union and Ilocos provinces, Cagayan Valley, Babuyan, Mindoro, and Mindanao.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Northern Luzon
• Ilocano
Language Family
Hiligaynon
Hiligaynon, also referred to as Ilonggo or 'Bisaya nga Inilonggo', is an Austronesian regional
language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people,predominantly in Western
Visayas and Soccsksargen, most of whom belong to the Hiligaynon people.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Greater Central Philippine
• Central Philippine
• Hiligaynon
Language Family
Bicolano
The Bikol language or Bicolano falls under the Austronesian family of languages.
Typically found in South East Asia and the Pacific and spoken by approximately 386 million
people.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Greater Central Philippine
• Central Philippine
• Bicolano
Language Family
Waray
Waray (also known as Waray-Waray) is an Austronesian language and the fifth-most-
spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Central Philippine
• Bisayan
• Central Bisayan
• Waray
Language Family
Pampango
Pampango, also called Kapampangan is an Austronesian language of the Philippine type
and is spoken by over 900,000 people living in the Central plain, Luzon.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine Central Luzon
• Kapampangan
Language Family
Pangasinense
Pangasinan (Pangasinense) is an Austronesian language, and one of the eight major
languages of the Philippines.

LANGUAGE FAMILY:
Austronesian
• Malayo-Polynesian
• Philippine
• Northern Philippine
• Northern Luzon
• Meso-Cordilleran
• Southern Cordilleran
• West Southern Cordilleran
• Pangasinan
Group and Sub Groups
Group and Subgroups of Philippine Languages

In the Philippines, the majority of people speak three languages: their mother tongue,
Tagalog, and English. It's not strange or unusual for a Filipino to be bilingual, given the 180
languages spoken by natives in various areas.

However, as modernity and technology advance, some people utilize slang for Filipino
vocabulary, contributing to the extinction of several Filipino languages and dialects. That is why
it is critical for everyone to learn and maintain the several Filipino languages that serve as
identities for diverse ethnic groups in the country.
Group and Sub Groups
8 Major Language Group in Philippines
1. Tagalog
• Tagalog is a Philippine language spoken by the ethnic Tagalog people, who account for a quarter of the country's
population, and as a second language by the majority. You might be confused about whether the Filipino Tagalog is
Filipino or Tagalog, as there have been disagreements concerning the distinction. Both are valid, however Filipino is
the national or official language of the Philippines.
• Tagalog is the basis of the national language. Tagalog was chosen as one of the official languages of the Philippines
constitution three years after it was declared the basis of the national language (Officially named "Pilipino" since
1959).
2. Ilocano
• Ilocano is the language spoken by the majority of Filipinos in Northern Luzon, and its speakers make up the
Philippines' third biggest language community.
• This Philippines native language is spoken in Northern Luzon, comprising the Babuyan Islands, Cordillera
Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, northern parts of Central Luzon, Mindoro, and scattered regions in
Mindanao (Particularly in the Soccsksargen region)
3. Pangasinan
• Pangasinan is the primary and largest Philippine native language of the Pangasinan ethnic group in the province of
Pangasinan, northern Tarlac, and the northern section of Luzon's central plains geographic region.
4. Pampango/ Kapampangan
• The province of Pampanga, as well as southern Tarlac, northern Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales,
speak Pampango or Kapampangan as their primary and prominent language. Some Filipinos in Mindanao,
particularly in South Cotabato, speak Kapampangan.
Group and Sub Groups
5. Bicol
• The Bicol dialect is used interchangeably with Tagalog in Camarines Norte, whereas it is blended with northern
Visayan in Masbate and Sorsogon. The Catanduanes dialect was also impacted by the Samar-Leyte dialect.
• Despite the fact that the region's dialects are diverse, Bicolanos in Naga City and the lower Bicol valley can
communicate using the "Bicol proper" language.
6. Cebuano
• Cebuano is one of the most extensively spoken native languages in the Philippines. It can be heard in Cebu, Bohol,
Siquijor, Negros Oriental, northeastern Negros Occidental (including, to a large extent, the municipality of Hinoba-an
and the cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay, alongside Ilonggo), southern Masbate, many parts of Leyte, Biliran, parts
of Samar, and large parts of Mindanao.
• Cebuano is also known as Bisaya, but don't get it mixed up with various Visayan languages and dialects in the
Philippines, as the two languages have different names.
7. Hiligaynon
• Hiligaynon, also known as Ilonggo, is primarily spoken in the Western Visayas (Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, and
Occidental Negros) and Soccsksargen. It belongs to the Visayan languages and is more distantly linked to other
languages in the Philippines. It is the second most widely spoken language in the Visayas.
8. Waray-Samarnon
• The Waray people's native language is Waray-Samarnon, and the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar, and
some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern Leyte speak it as well. Next to Cebuano and Hiligaynon,
it is the third most widely spoken Visayan language.
Subgroups of Philippine languages
There are nine subgroups of Philippine languages. The remaining subgroups are: Bashiic, Bilic, Central
Luzon, Kalamian, North Mangyan, Minahasan, and Sangiric languages.

According to Ethnologue, there are at least 187 languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines, divided
into seven groups.
1.Bashiic
-The Austronesian language family has a dialect cluster known as the Batanic languages (also known as
Bashiic or Ivatanic).
2.Bilic
-The Bagobo, B'laan, T'boli, and Tiruray peoples of Mindanao Island in the Philippines speak a group of
related languages known as the South Mindanao or Bilic languages.
3.Central Luzon
-The Central Luzon languages are a group of languages that are part of the Philippine language family.
These are primarily spoken in the western parts of the Philippines' Central Luzon.
The Central Luzon languages are:
-Kapampangan. Sambalic. Abellen. Ambala. Bolinao. Botolan. Mag-antsi. Mag-indi. Mariveleño. Sambali.
Sinauna.
4.Kalamian
The Kalamian languages, which include Calamian Tagbanwa and Agutaynen, are a small group of
languages spoken in the Philippines.
5.North Mangyan
The Mangyan people of Mindoro Island in the Philippines speak one of two small clusters of
languages known as Northern Mindoro (North Mangyan). The 3 languages are Alangan, Iraya, and
Tadyawan.
6.Minahasan
Tombulu, also known as Minahasan, is an Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia's northern
Sulawesi.
7.Sangiric languages
Sangiric languages are a subgroup of Austronesian languages spoken in North Sulawesi, Indonesia,
and a few small islands in the Philippines to the north.
The Major Languages of the Philippines
The major Languages of the philippinese are also known as the most widely spoken languages in the
Philippines. Due to being widely spoken, Some of these languages are gradually fading from usage or
blending with other languages. In the long run, a concerted effort to resuscitate these languages may be
required to assure their long-term survival.

Tagalog
This language serves as the foundation for the country's official language. The prior mandate that this
language be taught and spoken in schools across the country led in a massive rise in Tagalog-speaking
Filipinos. Tagalog is mostly spoken in the Greater Manila Area (or GMA), which includes the capital of
Manila and adjacent provinces such as Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas (with
variations in some terms and in the accents). Not only that, but when one speaks this language in other
parts of the nation, he or she will be generally understood because Tagalog is spoken and understood by a
large number of people.
The Major Languages of the Philippines
Cebuano
This was (and still is) a strong candidate for the Philippine language with the largest native speaker
population (more than 20 percent of the entire population of the country). It is mostly spoken in Cebu, one
of the country's most progressive cities. Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Bukidnon, and General Santos
City are among the places in Mindanao where it is spoken.

Ilocano or Ilokano
This is a dialect spoken in the Philippines' northwestern region. It is linked to Indonesian, Malay,
Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, and Chamorro languages spoken across the world (of Guam). With the
spread of the Ilocano people throughout the country, so has the use of this language.

Bicolano or Bikolano
This is the language spoken in the Bicol Region, one of the biggest regions in the country. There are
said to be 8 varieties to this language, categorized according to the geographical locations. A variation of
the Bicolano language, the Bisakol language, provides a link between Bicolano and Visayan languages.
The Major Languages of the Philippines
Hiligaynon or Ilonggo
The Hiligaynon language is spoken by more than 7 million Filipinos and is noted for its pleasant tone.
In addition, 4 million Filipinos have a basic understanding of the language. Iloilo, Bacolod, Panay Islands,
Capiz, Antique, and Aklan are among the places where it is spoken. It is also spoken in some parts of
Mindanao, such as North and South Cotabato., which is famed for its melting pot of cultures and
languages, has its own population of Hiligaynon speakers.

Waray
Another language spoken in the Visayas islands is this one (the middle part of the country). It is
spoken in the Philippines' Samar and Leyte provinces and is strongly linked with the Waray people, who
are noted for their hardness and strength.

Kapampangan
This is a significant language spoken on the island of Luzon and in the country's northern regions.
People from the province of Pampanga, a section of Tarlac, and a portion of Bataan speak it. Pampangueo
is another name for it.
The Major Languages of the Philippines
The Pangasinense
The Pangasinan province's language (with a total population of more than 2 million). Pangasinan is a
province in the Philippines' Central Luzon region. This language is linked to the Ibaloi language, which is
spoken in Benguet's mountain province and Baguio City (the summer capital of the Philippines).
Conclusion
There are a number of significant linguistic events in Philippine history and pre-history. Phillippine Language
had been connected with other neighboring countries right before the colonization of Spaniards. Due to the
strategic location of Philippines near the pacific ocean, It is in the middle of Austronesia and became a trade
route of most asian country and some western countries. As result, languages from other had made an impact in
the development and shaping the Philippine Languages and Dialects.

Despite having the data, Tree diagram cannot adequately capture the transmission where groups such as
Negritos give up their original languages and adopt the language of their in-migrant neighbors. Neither can tree
diagrams adequately display the effect of dialect and language chaining where subgroups merge into one
another. MP speakers from the northern Philippines into Oceania can best be modeled with a network diagram,
such as that proposed by Ross (1988). Other events such as the Islamization of the southern Philippines and the
occupation of the Philippines have all significantly affected Philippine languages but cannot be modeled by tree
or network diagrams.
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