The difference between **language**
and **dialect** can be explained simply:
- **Language** is a complete system of communication with its own grammar and vocabulary. It is
often used officially in schools, government, and media.
*Example:* English, Filipino, Spanish.
- **Dialect** is a variation of a language spoken in a specific region or by a particular group of people.
It may have differences in accent, words, and grammar but is still understandable to speakers of the
same language.
*Example:* Tagalog spoken in Manila vs. Tagalog spoken in Batangas.
### **Key Differences in Simple Terms:**
1. **Understanding:** People speaking different dialects of the same language can usually
understand each other, but different languages are harder to understand.
2. **Official Use:** Languages are used in schools and government, while dialects are mostly used
locally.
3. **Geography:** Dialects come from specific areas, while languages can be spoken in many places.
4. **Recognition:** Languages are officially recognized; dialects are usually informal.
A simple way to remember:
*”A dialect is a local version of a language.”
Understanding Linguistic Rights
Linguistic rights refer to the fundamental human rights that allow
individuals and communities to use, maintain, develop, and
preserve their language in various aspects of life, such as
education, governance, media, and cultural practices. These rights
ensure that languages—especially those spoken by minority groups
—are not discriminated against, suppressed, or lost over time.
Language is more than just a means of communication; it is deeply connected to
culture, identity, and heritage. When a language is lost, it often means the loss of an
entire way of life, traditions, and knowledge systems unique to that linguistic group.
Linguistic rights protect individuals and communities from linguistic discrimination,
ensuring that they can:
Learn and be educated in their mother tongue
Use their native language in government and legal settings
Preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage
Participate fully in society without language barriers
The Philippine Language Situation
1. Linguistic Diversity in the Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with
over 200 languages and dialects spoken across the archipelago. These languages
belong to different ethnolinguistic groups, shaped by geography, history, and cultural
interactions..
2. The 10 Major Philippine Languages
Your module includes a Philippine Language Map highlighting the ten most widely
spoken languages:
1. Tagalog – Mainly spoken in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
2. Bisaya (Visayan languages) – Spoken in the Visayas and parts of Mindanao.
3. Cebuano – One of the largest Visayan languages, spoken in Cebu, Bohol, and parts of
Mindanao.
4. Ilocano – Spoken in Northern Luzon.
5. Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) – Dominant in Western Visayas, particularly in Iloilo and Negros
Occidental.
6. Bicolano – Used in the Bicol Region.
7. Waray – Spoken in Samar and Leyte.
8. Maguindanaon – A major language in Mindanao, spoken by the Maguindanaon people.
9. Kapampangan – Used in Pampanga and some parts of Tarlac.
10. Pangasinan – Spoken in Pangasinan province.
Despite this linguistic diversity, Tagalog-based Filipino and English are the official
languages of the Philippines, often dominating education, media, and governance.
Here are some examples of common words and phrases in each language:
1. Tagalog (Filipino) – National Language
Hello: Kumusta?
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Mahal kita
2. Bisaya (Visayan) – Spoken in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte,
Mindanao
Hello: Kumusta?
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Gihigugma tika
3. Cebuano – Major language in Visayas and Mindanao
Hello: Maayong buntag (Good morning)
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Gihigugma tika
(Note: Cebuano and Bisaya are often considered the same, but "Bisaya" can refer to
multiple Visayan languages.)
4. Ilocano – Spoken in Northern Luzon (Ilocos, La
Union, Cagayan Valley)
Hello: Kablaaw
Thank you: Agyamanak
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Ayayaten ka
5. Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) – Spoken in Iloilo, Bacolod,
Western Visayas
Hello: Kamusta ka?
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kamusta ka?
I love you: Palangga ta ikaw
6. Bicolano – Spoken in Bicol Region (Albay,
Camarines Sur, Sorsogon)
Hello: Marhay na aga (Good morning)
Thank you: Dios mabalos
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Namumutan ta ka
7. Waray – Spoken in Eastern Visayas (Samar, Leyte,
Biliran)
Hello: Maupay nga aga (Good morning)
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Hinigugma ko ikaw
8. Maguindanaon – Spoken in Maguindanao, parts of
Mindanao
Hello: Assalamu Alaikum (Islamic greeting)
Thank you: Sukran
How are you?: Kumusta kaw?
I love you: Pegkasekan ta kaw
9. Kapampangan – Spoken in Pampanga and Tarlac
Hello: Komusta ka?
Thank you: Dacal a salamat
How are you?: Kumusta ka?
I love you: Kaluguran daka
10. Pangasinan – Spoken in Pangasinan province
Hello: Kumusta kayo?
Thank you: Salamat
How are you?: Kumusta kayo?
I love you: Inaru taka
These are just basic words and phrases, but each language has unique grammar
and pronunciation.
Policies Protecting Philippine
Languages
A. Philippine Policies
· Official Languages:1987 Philippine Constitution
· Article XIV, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution designates Filipino as the national language
and English as an official language for communication and instruction.
Regional languages are recognized as auxiliary(provides help or assistance when it is needed)
official languages in their respective regions.
· Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE):
· The Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented policies under the K to 12
curriculum, which mandates the use of the learners' first language as the medium of
instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3.
Over 19 regional languages are recognized for instruction, such as Cebuano, Ilocano,
Hiligaynon, and Bicolano.
· Cultural and Indigenous Rights:
· The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371) grants
indigenous communities the right to preserve and promote their languages and cultural
heritage.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is responsible for ensuring these
rights.
International Agreements Protecting Linguistic
Rights:
1. Charter of the United Nations (1945)
1. Emphasizes the importance of human rights, dignity, and equality, which includes
the right to language and cultural identity.
2. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Paragraph 2
1. States that:
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as
race, color, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status."
2. This ensures linguistic rights as a fundamental human right.
3. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Recognizes the right of ethnic
and linguistic minorities to use their own language.
4. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – Emphasizes the right of children to learn and use
their native language.
5. Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and
Linguistic Minorities – Ensures protection and development of minority languages.
Language Use in Different Domains
Regional
Domain Filipino English
Languages
Government & Law Primary Seconda Not Used
Regional
Domain Filipino English
Languages
ry
Seconda Primary (early
Education Primary
ry grades)
Seconda
Business & Offices Primary Rarely Used
ry
Media & Seconda
Primary Used in local media
Entertainment ry
Seconda Seconda Primary in
Religion & Culture
ry ry communities
Challenges in Language Preservation
1. Language Endangerment – Many regional languages are disappearing.
2. Education Issues – Lack of learning materials in native languages.
3. Government Accessibility – Most official documents are in English.
4. Colonial Mentality – Preference for English over local languages.
Language Profile
Language Profile is designed to analyze the multilingual nature
of different environments. This aims to identify the languages
spoken and understood in various domains of daily life, such as
home, school, church, neighborhood, local government, and
media (TV/Radio)
Language Profile Table this table identifies the languages spoken or understood in
different domains of life in the Philippines.
Languag
Domain Language 1 Language 3 Language 4
e2
Regional
Language (e.g.,
Home Cebuano, Filipino English -
Ilocano,
Hiligaynon)
School Filipino English Regional -
Language
Languag
Domain Language 1 Language 3 Language 4
e2
(MTB-MLE
for early
grades)
Latin (in
Regional traditional
Church Filipino English
Language Catholic
Masses)
Neighborh Regional
Filipino English -
ood Language
Local English
Regional
Governmen Filipino (official -
Language
t documents)
Regional
English
Media Filipino Language
(news, -
(TV/Radio) (mainstream) (local
business)
stations)
Explanation:
Home: Families primarily use their regional language but
may also speak Filipino or English.
School: Filipino and English are the main languages of
instruction, but regional languages are used in early
education.
Church: Services are often conducted in the regional
language, but Filipino and English are also used, especially in
written religious texts.
Neighborhood: People communicate in their regional
language, with Filipino and English used occasionally.
Local Government: Filipino is the main language, but
regional languages are used for local communication. Official
documents are in English.
Media: National media primarily use Filipino, while English
is common in business and news. Local stations use regional
languages.
Purpose of a Language Profile:
1. Understanding Multilingualism – Shows how people use multiple languages in daily life.
2. Promoting Language Preservation – Helps recognize and protect regional languages.
3. Enhancing Communication – Identifies the dominant languages in different situations for
better interaction.
4. Supporting Education Policies – Helps in implementing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual
Education (MTB-MLE) in schools.