|
Living Spoken Languages of the Philippines
A major
factor in the establishment and acceptance of English in the
Philippines is unquestionably related to the actual or perceived need for a
lingua franca – a common language that could both link the people of the
Philippines to each other and link the Philippines to the rest of the world.
With 167 distinct and identifiable spoken living languages currently spoken in
the Philippines, (SIL 2003) and perhaps an many as several dozen more that have
become extinct (non-living) over the past 2 centuries of colonization and
exploitation, the need for a lingua franca that could serve the economic and
social needs of an evolving nation is readily apparent. For many reasons, most
of which are a result of colonial opportunism and economic necessity, English
evolved largely to fulfill this function. Any attempt to understand or explain
the history and evolution of English in the Philippines is dependant upon a
basic understanding of the indigenous linguistic matrix that makes up this
archipelago of more than 7100 islands, the diverse religious and social
affiliations that identify her 86,000,000 inhabitants (2004), and the population
growth patterns that have occurred over the last century.
The 167 Distinct & Identifiable Spoken Living
Languages of the Philippines
Source: SIL
International Ethnologue Database 2003
|
|
Language Name |
No. of Native Speakers |
Dialects |
Location |
|
1 |
Adasen |
4000 |
Eastern Adasen |
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Western Adasen |
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
2 |
Agta,
Alabat Island |
50 (1979) |
|
Quezon
Province
, Luzon |
|
3 |
Agta
Camarines Norte |
200 (1979) |
|
Camarines, Luzon |
|
4 |
Agta
Casiguran |
580 (1998) |
|
Aurora
Province,
Luzon |
|
5 |
Agta
Central Cagayan |
700-800 |
|
Northeast Luzon |
|
6 |
Agta
Dupaninan |
1200 (1998) |
|
Northeast Luzon |
|
7 |
Agta
Isarog |
1000 (1986) |
|
Bicol
Province,
Luzon |
|
8 |
Agta,
Mt. Iraya |
200 (1979) |
|
Bicol
Province,
Luzon |
|
9 |
Agta
Mt.
Iriga |
1500 (1977) |
|
Bicol
Province,
Luzon |
|
10 |
Agta
Remontado |
1000-2000 (1977) |
|
Rizal
Province,
Luzon |
|
11 |
Agta
Umiray Dumagat |
3,000 (1994) |
|
Quezon
Province,
Luzon |
|
12 |
Agta
Villa Viciosa |
Not available |
|
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
13 |
AGUTAYNEN |
10,384 (1990) |
|
Palawan, Taytay, Mindoro |
|
14 |
Aklanon |
394,545 (1990) |
|
Aklan
Province,
Northern Panay |
|
15 |
Alangan |
6000-7000 (1991) |
|
North
Central Mindoro |
|
16 |
Alta
Northern |
240 – (1992) |
|
Aurora
Province,
Luzon |
|
17 |
Alta
Southern |
1000 (1982) |
|
Quezon
Province,
Luzon |
|
18 |
Arta |
17 (1992) |
|
Quirino
Province,
Luzon |
|
19 |
Ata |
9 families (1973) |
|
Negros
Oriental, Visayas |
|
20 |
Ati |
1500 (1980) |
|
Panay,
Visayas |
|
21 |
Atta
Faire |
400-550 (1981) |
|
Cagayan
Province,
Luzon |
|
22 |
Atta
Pamplona |
1000 (1998) |
|
Cagayan
Province,
luzon |
|
23 |
Atta
Pudtol |
500-700 (1991) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao
Province |
|
24 |
Ayta
Abenlen |
6,850 (1985) |
|
Tarlac
Province,
Luzon |
|
25 |
Ayta
Ambala |
1657 (1986) |
|
Bataan
Province,
Luzon |
|
26 |
Ayta
Bataan |
572 (1986) |
|
Bataan
Province,
Luzon |
|
27 |
Ayta
Mag-anchi |
8,200 (1992 |
|
Tarlac
Province,
Luzon |
|
28 |
Ayta
Mag-indi |
5000 (1998) |
|
Bataan
Province,
Luzon |
|
29 |
Ayta
Sorsogon |
40 (1984) |
|
Sorsogon
Province,
Luzon |
|
30 |
Balangao |
6560 (1975) |
|
Bontoc
Province,
Luzon |
|
31 |
Bantoanon |
70,000-100,000 (1978) |
|
Masbate and Mindoro |
|
32 |
Batak |
2,041 (1990) |
|
Palawan, Visayas |
|
33 |
Bicolano Albay |
480,000 (1975) |
|
Albay
Province,
Luzon |
|
34 |
Bicolano Central |
2,500,000 (1990) |
Naga |
Southeastern Luzon |
|
35 |
|
|
Legaspi |
Southeastern Luzon |
|
35 |
Bicolano Iriga |
108,000 (1975) |
|
Southeastern Luzon |
|
36 |
Bicolano Northern Catanduanes |
65,000 (1975) |
|
Southeastern Luzon |
|
37 |
Bicolano Southern Catanduanes |
85,000 (198i) |
|
Southeastern Luzon |
|
38 |
Binukid |
100,000 (1987) |
|
North
Central Mindanao |
|
39 |
Blaan
Koronadal |
100,000 (1981) |
|
Catabato
Province,
Mindanao |
|
40 |
Blaan
Sarangani |
75,000-100,000 (1998) |
|
Catabato
Province,
Mindanao |
|
41 |
Bolinao |
50,000 (1990) |
|
Pangasinan
Province,
Luzon |
|
42 |
Bontoc
Central |
40,000 (1994) |
|
North
central Luzon |
|
43 |
Bontoc
Eastern |
5,000 (1998) |
|
|
|
44 |
Buhid |
8,000 (1991) |
|
Southern Mindoro |
|
45 |
Butuanon |
34,547 (1990) |
|
Butuan
Province,
N.E. Mindanao |
|
46 |
Caluyanun |
30,000 (1994) |
Caluyanune |
Caluya
Islands |
|
|
|
|
Semirara |
Caluya
Islands |
|
47 |
Capoznon |
445,716 (1975) |
|
Northeast Panay |
|
48 |
Cebuano |
14,713,220 (1990) |
Cebu |
Cebu,
Visayas, Central Philippines |
|
|
|
|
Boholan |
Bohol,
Visayas, Central Philippines |
|
|
|
|
Leyte |
Leyte,
Visayas, central philippines |
|
|
|
|
Mindanao |
Visayas, Northern Mimdanao |
|
|
|
|
Visayan |
Visayas, Northern Mindanao |
|
49 |
Chavacano |
292,630 (1990 |
Caviteqo |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Ternateno |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Ermitano |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Davawenyo |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Davao |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Davaoeno |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Cotabato |
Southern Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Zamboangueno |
Southern Mindanao |
|
50 |
Chinese Mandarin |
500-600 (1990) |
|
Not
Available |
|
51 |
Chinese Minnan |
493,500- 592,200 (1982 |
|
Not
Available |
|
52 |
Chinese Yue |
6,000-72000 (1982) |
|
Not
Available |
|
53 |
Cuyonon |
123,384 (1990) |
|
Palawan and Panay |
|
54 |
Davawenyo |
147,279 (1990) |
|
Davao
Oriental & del Sur, Mindanao |
|
55 |
English |
32,802 (1990) |
|
Spoken
by 52% as a 2nd language |
|
56 |
Gadang
|
17,500 (1993) |
|
Mountain
Province,
Luzon |
|
57 |
Gaddang |
30,000 (1984) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
58 |
Giangan |
55,040 (1990) |
|
Davao
del Sur, Mindanao |
|
59 |
Hanunoo |
10,000 to 12,000 (1991) |
|
Southern Mindoro |
|
60 |
Higaonon |
30,000 (1996) |
|
Misamis Oriental northern
Mindanao |
|
61 |
Hiligaynon |
7,000,000 (1995) |
Hiligaynon |
Negros,
Visayas |
|
|
|
|
Kawayan |
Negros,
Visayas |
|
|
|
|
Bantayan |
Negros,
Visayas |
|
62 |
I-wak |
2,000 to 3,000 (1987) |
|
Benguet
Province,
Luzon |
|
63 |
Ibaloi
|
111,449 (1990) |
|
Benguet & Nueva Vizcaya,
Luzon |
|
64 |
Ibanag |
500,000 (1990) |
N.
Ibanag |
|
|
|
|
|
S.
Ibanag |
|
|
65 |
Ibatan |
1,000 (1996) |
|
Babuyan
Island,
north of Luzon |
|
66 |
Ifugao
Amganda |
27,000 (1981) |
Burnay
Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Banaue
Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
67 |
Ifugao
Batad |
43,000 (1987) |
Ayangan Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Batad
Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Ducligan Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
68 |
Ifugao
mayoyao |
40,000 (1998) |
|
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
69 |
Ifugao
Tuwali |
25,000 (1981) |
Hapao
Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Hungduan Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Hapao
Ifugao |
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
70 |
Ilocano |
8,000,000 (1991) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
71 |
Ilongot |
50,786 (1990) |
Abaka
(Abaca) |
Northern Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Egongot |
Northern Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Ibalao
(Ibilao) |
Northern Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Italon |
Northern Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Iyongut |
Northern Luzon |
|
72 |
Inonhan |
|
BULALAKAW |
Mindoro, Visayas |
|
|
|
|
DISPOHOLNON |
Mindoro, Visayas |
|
|
|
|
LOOKNON |
Mindoro, Visayas |
|
|
|
|
Alcantarano |
Mindoro, Visayas |
|
73 |
Iraya |
10,000 (1991) |
Abra-de-Ilog |
Northern Mindoro |
|
|
|
|
Alag-Bako |
Northern Mindoro |
|
|
|
|
Pagbahan |
Northern Mindoro |
|
|
|
|
Palauan-Calavite |
Northern Mindoro |
|
|
|
|
Pambuhan |
Northern Mindoro |
|
|
|
|
Santa Cruz |
Northern Mindoro |
|
74 |
Isinai |
5,524 (1990) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
75 |
Isnag |
30,000 (1994) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
76 |
Itawit |
134,126 (1990) |
Malaweg |
Cagayan
Province,
Luzon |
|
|
|
|
Itawis |
Cagayan
Province,
Luzon |
|
77 |
Itneg
Binongan |
7,000 (1982) |
|
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
78 |
Itneg
Inlaod |
Not Available |
|
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
79 |
Itneg
Masadit |
7,500 (1882) |
|
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
80 |
Itneg
Southern |
Not Available |
|
Abra
Province,
Luzon |
|
81 |
Ivatan |
35,000 (1998) |
Itbayaten |
Batanes
Islands |
|
|
|
|
Basco
Ivatan |
Batanes
Islands |
|
|
|
|
Southern Ivatan |
Batanes
Islands |
|
82 |
Kagayanen |
23,000 (1992) |
|
Cagayan
Island,
Palawan. |
|
83 |
Kalagan |
21,402 (1990) |
Isamal |
Davao
Province,
Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Piso |
Davao
Province,
Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
Tumuaong |
Davao
Province,
Mindanao |
|
84 |
KALAGAN KAGAN |
6,000 (1981) |
|
|
|
85 |
Kalagan Tagakaulu |
50,000 to 70,000 (1992) |
|
Southern Mindanao |
|
86 |
Kalanguya Keley-I |
5,000 (1980) |
|
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
87 |
Kalinga Butbut |
4,000 (1981) |
|
Cordilleran
Province, Luzon |
|
88 |
Kalinga Limos |
20,000 (1977) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao
Province, Luzon |
|
89 |
Kalinga Low Tanudan |
11,243 (1998) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon |
|
90 |
Kalinga Lubuagan |
12,000 to 15,000 (1998) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon |
|
91 |
Kalinga Mabaka |
Not Available |
|
Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon |
|
92 |
Kalinga Madukayang |
1,500 (1990) |
|
Southern Mountain Province, Luzon |
|
93 |
Kalinga Southern |
12,000 (1981) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon |
|
94 |
Kalinga Uper Tanudan |
3,000 (1991) |
|
Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon |
|
95 |
Kallahan Kayapa |
15,000 (1991 |
|
Ifugao
Province,
Luzon |
|
96 |
Kallhan Tinoc |
Not Available |
|
Cordilleran
Province, Luzon |
|
97 |
Kamayo |
Not Available |
North
Kamayo |
Central Mindanao |
|
|
|
|
South
Kamayo |
Central Mindanao |
|
98 |
Kankanaey |
150,000 (1991) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
99 |
Kankanay Northern |
70,000 (1987) |
|
Northern Luzon |
|
100 |
Karao |
1,400 (1998) |
|
Benguet
Province,
Luzon |
|
101 |
Karolands |
Not Available |
|
Central Negros |
|
102 |
Kasiguranin |
10,000 (1975) |
|
Aurora
Province,
Luzon |
|
103 |
Kinaray-a |
377,529 (1994) |
Pandan
|
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Hamtik |
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Anini-y |
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Pototan |
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Lambunao |
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Miag-ao |
Western Panay |
|
|
|
|
Gimaras |
Western Panay |
|
104 |
Magahat |
|
|
Southwestern Negros |
|
105 |
Magindanaon |
1,000,000 (1999) |
|
Southern Mindanao |
|
106 |
Malaynon |
8,500 (1973) |
|
Panay |
|
107 |
Mamanwa |
5,152 (1990) |
|
Surigao
Province,
Mindanao |
|
108 |
Mandaya Cataelano |
19,000 (1980) |
|
Davao
Oriental, Mindanao |
|
109 |
Mandaya Karaga |
3,000 (1982) |
|
Davao
Oriental, Mindanao |
|
110 |
Mandaya Sangab |
Not Available |
|
Davao
del Norte, Mindanao |
|
111 |
Manobo
Agusan |
40,000 (1981) |
|
Southern Philippines |
|
112 |
Manoba
Ata |
15,000 to 20,000 (1981) |
|
Davao,
Mindanao |
|
113 |
Manobo |
60,000 (1973) |
|
Camiguin
Island,
Mindanao |
|
114 |
Cinamiguin |
Not Available |
|
Camiguin
Island,
Mindanao |
|
115 |
Manobo
Cotabato |
15,000 (1991) |
|
Cotobato, Mindanao |
|
116 |
Manabo
Dibabawon |
10,000 (1978) |
|
Davao
del Norte, Mindanao |
|
117 |
Manobo
Ilianen |
12,000 to 15,000 (1996) |
|
Cotabato, Mindanao |
|
118 |
Manobo
Matigsalug |
15,000 (1998 |
|
Davao
and Bukidnon, Mindanao |
|
119 |
Manobo
Obo |
80,000 - 100,000 (1998) |
|
Davao
- North Cotabato, Mindanao |
|
120 |
Manobo
Rajah Kabunsuwan |
Not Available |
|
Surigao del Sur, Mindanao |
|
121 |
Manabo
Sarangani |
35,000 (1987) |
|
Davao,
Mindanao |
|
122 |
Manabo
Tagabawa |
43,000 (1998) |
|
Davao,
Mindanao |
|
123 |
Manobo
Western Bukidnon |
10,000 to 15,000 (1981) |
|
Southern Bukidnon Province, Mindanao |
|
124 |
Mansaka |
30,000 to 35,000 (1975) |
|
Davao
& Davao Oriental, Mindanao |
|
125 |
Mapun |
35,000 to 40,000 (1996) |
|
Southern Mindanao |
|
126 |
Maranao |
776,169 (1990) |
|
Lanao
del Norte and Lanao del Sur |
|
127 |
Masbatenyo |
600,000 (1996) |
|
Masbate
Province,
Visayas |
|
128 |
Molbog |
6,680 (1990) |
|
Palawan |
|
129 |
Palowano Brooke’s Point |
15,000 to 20,000 (1998) |
|
Palawan |
|
130 |
Palawano Central |
12,000 (1981) |
|
Palawan |
|
131 |
Palawano Southwest |
3,000 (1985) |
|
Palawan |
|
132 |
Pampangan |
1,897,378 (1990) |
|
Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Luzon |
|
133 |
Pangasinan |
1,164,586 (1990) |
|
Pangasinan
Province,
Luzon |
|
134 |
Paranan |
14,220 to 15,220 (1998) |
|
Isabela
Province,
Luzon |
|
135 |
Porohanon |
23,000 (1987) |
|
Camotes
Islands |
|
136 |
Ratagnon |
2,000 speakers (1997) |
|
Western Mindoro |
|
137 |
Romblomanon |
200,000 (1987) |
|
Romblon, Sibuyan Islands, V isayas |
|
138 |
Sama
Abaknon |
20,000 to 30,000 |
|
Northwest Samar |
|
139 |
Sama
Balanging |
60,000 (1981) |
|
Sulu,
Mindanao |
|
140 |
Sama
Central |
120,000 - 150,000 1997 |
|
Sulu,
Mindanao |
|
141 |
Sama
Pangutaran |
25,000 to 40,000 (1996) |
|
Sulu,
Mindanao |
|
142 |
Sama
Southern |
30,000 (1990) |
|
Sulu,
Mindanao |
|
143 |
Sambal
Botolan |
31,500 (1975) |
|
Zambales
Province,
Central Luzon |
|
144 |
Sambal
Tina |
70,000 (1998) |
|
Zambales
Province,
Centran Luzon |
|
145 |
SANGIL |
15,000 (1996) |
|
Balut
Island,
Mindanao |
|
146 |
SANGIR |
55,000 (1981) |
|
Balut
& Sarangani islands
Mindanao |
|
147 |
Sorsogon Masbate |
85,000 (1975) |
|
Sorsogon
Province,
Luzon |
|
148 |
Sorsogon Waray |
185,000 (1975) |
|
Sorsogon
Province,
Luzon |
|
149 |
Spanish |
2,658 (1990) |
|
Mostly
in Manila |
|
150 |
Subanen Central |
120,000 - 150,000 1998 |
|
Zamboanga
Peninsula,
Mindanao |
|
151 |
Subanen Northern |
10,000 (1985) |
|
Misamis Occidental, Mindanao |
|
152 |
Subanon Kolibugan |
20,000 (1998) |
|
Zamboanga
Peninsula,
Mindanao |
|
153 |
Subanon Western |
75,000 (1997) |
|
Zamboanga
Peninsula,
Mindanao |
|
154 |
Subanun Lapuyan |
25,000 (1978) |
|
Zamboanga
Peninsula,
Mindanao |
|
155 |
Sulod |
14,000 (1980) |
|
Panay |
|
156 |
Surigaonon |
344,974 (1990) |
|
Surigao, Mindanao |
|
157 |
Tadyayan |
3,000 to 5,000 (1998) |
|
East
Central Mindoro |
|
158 |
Tagalog |
16,911,871 (1990) |
Lubang |
+
39,000,000 as a second language |
|
|
|
|
Manila |
speakers, which includes the |
|
|
|
|
Marinduque |
national Language Filipino / Pilipino, |
|
|
|
|
Bataan |
for a
total of 57,000,000 first and |
|
|
|
|
Batangas |
second
language speakers. |
|
|
|
|
Bulacan |
|
|
|
|
|
Tanay-Paete |
|
|
|
|
|
Tayabas |
|
|
159 |
Tagbanwa |
8,000 (1981) |
|
Central and Northern
Palawan |
|
160 |
Tagbanwa Calamian |
8,472 (1990) |
|
Coron
Island,
Palawan, |
|
161 |
Tagbanwa Central |
2,000 (1985) |
|
Northern Palawan |
|
162 |
Tausug |
651,808 (1990) |
|
Mindanao |
|
163 |
Tawbuid Eastern |
10,000 to 12,000 (1991) |
|
Central Mindoro. |
|
164 |
Tawbuid Western |
10,000 to 12,000 (1991) |
|
Central Mindoro. |
|
165 |
Tboli |
80,000 - 100,000 (1997) |
|
South
Cotabato, Mindanao |
|
166 |
Tiruray |
34,340 (1975) |
|
Cotabato, Mindanao |
|
167 |
Waray-Waray |
2,437,688 (1990) |
|
Northern and eastern Samar-Leyte |
Population Growth of the Philippines 1870 – 2000
and Projected Population Growth for 2000-2050)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau International Data
Base
|
Year |
Population |
Growth Rate |
Period (Growth Rate) |
Population
per sq. Km. |
Urban Population |
% Living (in Manila |
|
1870 |
5,561,200 |
|
1860-1870 |
18.7 |
|
|
|
1880 |
5,985,000 |
7% |
1870-1880 |
20.1 |
|
|
|
1890 |
6,621,000 |
10% |
1880-1890 |
22.2 |
|
|
|
1900 |
7,409,000 |
11% |
1890-1900 |
24.0 |
|
| |