BY DR. JOSE PALU-AY DACUDAO
IF ONE were to figuratively sit in outer space and peer over the Pacific and Indian Oceans, one would see a wide expanse of island-dotted water dominating the entire view, with the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas merely occupying the West, North, South, and Eastern edges. Across this huge expanse of the earth live the Polynesian peoples.
The Philippine languages belong to the Austronesian Language family, formerly called Malayo-Polynesian, which is one of the world’s largest language families. This, our language family, has more than 700 languages and covers the largest traditional geographic spread of any language family, ranging through islands from Madagascar off the coast of Africa in the west to Easter Island off the coast of South America in the east.
The prevailing linguistic theory is that the spread of the people speaking this language family, the Polynesians, has occurred relatively recently, probably from an indigenous ethnolinguistic people in Formosa (Taiwan) that spoke a Proto-Austronesian language around 6,000 years ago, although there is another alternative hypothesis that the Proto-Austronesian language originated around Indonesia.
During the course of several thousand years, the original Proto-Austronesian language of these ancient Polynesians evolved into hundreds of languages.
An important part of their culture was boat-making technology. At a time when the European and Chinese civilizations were mostly landlocked, the ancient Polynesians achieved the greatest epic journeys of humanity, sailing and canoeing across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, populating most of the Archipelagos and Oceanic Islands of the world.
Boat-making was the key to their success. The boat-making technologies of this ancient family of peoples reached their peak in the giant outrigger boats of the Sri-Visayan Empire (called Balanghais in the Visayan languages of the Philippines) that dominated Archipelagic South East Asia a few hundred years before the arrival of European colonizers.
The indigenous languages of Australia and most of New Guinea are not part of the Austronesian language family, and are spoken by non-Polynesian peoples who may have arrived in these Islands as far back as 60,000 years ago. These languages (of which more than 800 are still extant) are so “ancient” that they are not closely related to each other or any other language family in the world.
The peoples speaking these languages probably migrated by means of land bridges and crude rafts and boats, and never evinced the same propensity for advanced boat-making and marine navigation as the Polynesians. After more than 60,000 years of isolation their languages have diverged far from any other language family on earth, just as the genetic make-up of the speakers have done so.
These ancient non-Polynesian peoples generally have darker skin and curlier hair than Polynesians (who having more recently originated from the more temperate North would have lighter skin).
Their genes are the farthest related from the original African genomes of humanity. A recent hypothesis is that they are descendants of one of the first waves of migration of anatomically modern humans belonging to our species (Homo sapiens) out of Africa around 80,000 years ago. (At that point far back in time, there were still extant other human species that did not belong to our own Homo sapiens, such as Homo neanderthalis of Europe and some populations of Homo erectus in Java Indonesia.)
These waves of human migration passed into the Middle East, India, East Asia, and by land bridge and primitive rafts and canoes reached Archipelagic Asia, Australia, and New Guinea.
The part of these migratory waves that turned west from the Middle East into Europe eventually gave rise to the modern Europeans; those that remained in the Middle East gave rise to the Semitic peoples; and those that turned North East gave rise to the modern Chinese-Tibetan-Mongol-Korean-Japanese.
The Austronesian languages are divided into two branches: Malayo-Polynesian (1,239 languages) and Formosan (23 languages).
Some of the Formosan languages are still spoken in Taiwan, but seven have already become recently extinct, mainly due to Chinese acculturation. For the most part unrecognized and marginalized by the Chinese, these languages are endangered.
Their closest relatives are probably the indigenous languages of the Philippines just to the south of Taiwan. For the most part unrecognized and marginalized by the Tagalista policies of the Philippine Manila-based central government, these languages are also endangered.
Malayo-Polynesian languages are further divided into the following branches:
1. Central-Eastern – a) Central Malayo-Polynesian languages, including many languages spoken in Indonesia and Timor; b) Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages, including the Oceanic and Halmahera-West New Guinea languages
2. Western Malayo-Polynesian, spoken by people in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Malagasy, and parts of Vietnam and Taiwan and
3. Two Unclassified languages
The Philippine languages may be closely related to the original Proto-Austronesian language that our original ethnic Malayo-Polynesian ancestors spoke. Their gradual elimination by the Tagalista policies of the Manila government is a crime against the world’s culture and the peoples of the Philippines.
The Languages of the Philippines
> Adasen – Northeastern Abra Province
> Agta, Alabat Island – East of Quezon Province
> Agta, Camarines Norte – Santa Elena & Labo, Camarines Norte
> Agta, Casiguran Dumagat – East coast of Luzon, north Quezon Province
> Agta, Central Cagayan – Northern Luzon
> Agta, Dicamay – Isabela Province, near Jones
> Agta, Dupaninan – Northeast Luzon, from Divilacan Bay in the south to Polaui Island north
> Agta, Isarog – Mt. Isarog, east of Naga City, Bicol Province
> Agta, Iraaya – East of Lake Buhi, Bicol Province
> Agta, Mt. Iriga – East of Iriga City, west of Lake Buhi, Bicol Province
> Agata, Palanan – East coast, Isabela Province
> Agta, Remontado – Santa Inez, Rizal Provinces
> Agta, Umiray Dumaget – Quezon Province
> Agta, Villaviciosa – Abra Province
> Agutaynen – Agutaya Island & other smaller surrounding island & municipalities of Palawan
> Aklanon – Aklan Province, northern Panay
> Alangan – North Central Mindoro
> Alta, Northern – Eastern Luzon, Aurora Province
> Alta, Southern – Eastern Nueva Ecija, Sierra Madre & other coast areas of Quezon Province
> Arta – Quirino Province, towN of Aglipay, Villa Santiago, Garcia & town of Nagtipunan
> Ata – Mabinay, Negros Oriental
> Ati – Small groups in all Provinces of Panay
> Atta, Faire – Near Faire- Rizal, Cagayan Province
> Atta, Pamplona – Northeastern Cagayan Province
> Atta, Pudtol – Kalinga – Apayao Province
> Ayta, Abenlen – Tarlac Province & other related province
> Ayta, Ambala – A few barrios of San Marcelino/ ambales & several Subic City
> Ayta, Bataan – Mariveles, Bataan Province
> Ayta, Mag- Anchi – East side of mountain Botolan Sambal arca, close to Tarlac-Pampanga
> Ayta, Mag-Indi – A few barrios of Florida Blanca, several of Porac Pampanga Province
> Ayta, Sorsogon – Pricto Diaz, Sorsogon Province
> Balangao – Eastern Bontoc Province
> Bangingih – Sulo Archipelago northeast of Jolo, Zamboanga coast, Basilan Island
> Bantoanon – Banton, Simara, Tablas Is, Romblon Province, bet. Masbate & Mindoro
> Batak – North central Palawan
> Bicolano, Albay – Western Alabay province, Buhi, Camarines Sur
> Bicolano, Central – Southern Catanduanes, Northern Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte & Sur
> Bicolano, Iriga – Iriga City, Baao, Nabua, Bato, Camarines Sur
> Bicolano, Northern Catanduanes – Northern Catanduanes, east of Bicol
> Bicolano, Southern Catanduanes – East of Bicol
> Binukid – North Central Mindanao, southern Bukidnon, northeastern Cotabato, Agusan Sur
> B’laan, Koronadal – South Cotabato Province
> B’laan, Sarangani – South Cotabato Province, Sarangani Peninsula
> Bolinao – West Pangasinan Province
> Bontoc, Central – Central Mountain Province
> Bontoc, Eastern – Central Mountain Province
> Butuanon – Butuan City, Agusan Norte, Agusan Sur
> Caluyanun – Caluya Islands, Antique
> Capiznon – Northeast Panay
> Cebuano – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Visayas & parts of Mindanao
> Chavacano – Zamboanga Province, Cotabato City, Cavite, Ermita near Manila
> Chinese, Mandarin – Sino – Tibetan, Chinese
> Chinese, Min Nan – Sino – Tibetan, Chinese
> Chinese, Yue – Sino – Tibetan, Chinese
> Cuyonon – Palawan coast, Cuyo Islands bet. Palawan and Panay
> Davawenyo – Davao Oriental, Davao Sur
> Finallig – Central Mountain Province
> Ga’dang – Paracelis, foothills, Mt. Province
> Gaddang – Central Isabela, Bagabag, Solano & Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya
> Giangan – Davao City, eastern slopes of Mt. Apo, Davao Sur
> Hanunoo – Southern Oriental Mindoro
> Higaonon – Misamis Oriental, south of Gingoog City, North central Mindanao
> Hiligaynon – Iloilo & Capiz Province, Panay, Negros Occidental, Visayas
> Ibaloi – Central & southern Benquet Province, Western Nueva Vizcaya Province
> Ibanag – Isabela & Cagayan Province
> Ibatan – Babuyan Island, north of Luzon
> Ifugao, Amganad – Ifugao Province
> Ifugao, Batad – Ifugao Province
> Ifugao, Mayoyao – Ifugao Province
> Ifugao, Tuwali – Ifugao Province
> Ilocano – La Union, Ilocos provinces, Cagayan Valley, Babuyan, Mindoro & Mindanao
> Ilongot – Eastern Nueva Vizcaya, Western Quirino
> Inohan – Southern Tablas Is., Romlon Province, Mindoro Oriental & Occidental
> Iraya – Northern Mindoro
> Isinai – Bambang Dupax & Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
> Isnag – Northern Apayao
> Itawit – Southern Cagayan
> Itneg, Binongan – Ba-ay Valley & Licuan Abra Province
> Itneg, Inlaod – Northern Luzon, southwest of Binongan Itneg, northwest of Masadiit Itneg
> Itneg, Masadiit – Sallapadan & Buclo, Abra Province
> Itneg, Southern – Southern Abra Province
> Ivatan – Basco, Batanes Islands
> I-wak – Extreme eastern Itogon, Benguet Province
> Kagayanen – Cagayan Is., bet. Negros & Palawan, communities on the coast of Palawan
> Kalagan – Along east & west shores of Davao Gulf in Davao Sur & Davao Oriental
> Kalagan, Kagan – Davao City
> Kalagan, Tagakaulu – Southern Mindanao, South Cotabato, south of Kalagan
> Kalinga, Butbut – Luzon, Butbut, Tinglayan, Kalinga-Apayao Province
> Kalinga, Limos – Luzon, Kalinga-Apayao Province
> Kalinga, Lower Tanudan – Southern Kalinga-Apayao Province
> Kalinga, Lubuagan – Eastern Abra & Kalinga-Apayao provinces, Luzon
> Kalinga, Mabaka Valley – Southeastern Kalinga-Apayao Province
> Kalinga, Madukayang – Southern Mountain Province
> Kalinga, Southern – Southern Kalinga-Apayao Province
> Kalinga, Upper Tanudan – Kalinga-Apayao Province, southern end of Tanudan Valley
> Kallahan, Kayapa – Western Nueza Vizcaya, northeastern Pangasinan, western Ifugao
> Kallahan, Keley-I – Napayo, Kiangan Ifugao Province, northwest of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
> Kallahan, Tinoc – A barrio of Hungduan in Luzon
> Kamayo – Surigao Sur between Marihatag & Lingig towns
> Kankanaey – Northern Benguet Prov., SW of Mt. Province, SE of Ilocos Sur, NE of La Union
> Kankanay, Northern – Western Mountain Province, southeastern Ilocos Sur
> Karao – Karao & Ekip, Bokod, Eastern Benquet Province
> Karolanos – Mid-central Negros
> Kasiguranin – Quezon Province
> Katabaga – Bondoc Peninsula
> Kinaray-a – Iloilo & Antique provinces, Western Panay
> Magahat – Southwestern Negros, Mt. Arniyo near Bayawan
> Magindanaon – N & S Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zambo. Sur provinces; Iranun, Bukidnon
> Malaynon – Malay, northwest Aklan Province, lowland, Panay
> Mamanwa – Agusan Norte, Surigao Norte
> Mandaya, Karaga – Lamiyawan area, Davao Oriental
> Mandaya, Sangab – Head of Caraga River, Banlalaysan area, highland, Davao Norte
> Manobo, Agusan – Agusan Norte. Agusan Sur, Surigao Sur
> Manobo, Ata – Northwestern Davao
> Manobo, Cinamiguin – Camiguin Island, north of Mindanao
> Manobo, Cotabato – South Cotabato, Limulan Valley
> Manobo, Dibabawon – Manguagan, Davao Norte
> Manobo, Ilianen – Northern Cotabato
> Manobo, Matigsalug – Davao Norte, southeast Bukidnon
> Manobo, Obo – Northeastern slope of Mt. Apo, between Davao Sur, North Cotabato
> Manobo, Rajah Kabunsuwan – Southern Surigao Sur
> Manobo, Sarangani – Southern & Eastern Davao
> Manobo, Tagabawa – Davao City, slopes of Mt. Apo
> Manobo, Western Bukidnon – Southern Bukidnon Province
> Mansaka – Eastern Davao & Davao Oriental Provinces
> Mapun – Cagayan de Sulu & Palawan Islands, also in Sabah Malaysia
> Maranao – Lanao Norte, Lanao Sur provinces
> Masbatenyo – Masbate Province, three islands
> Molbog – Balabac Island, southern Palawan, & Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia
> Palawano, Brooke’s Point – Southeastern Palawan
> Palawano, Central – Central Palawan
> Palawano, Southwest – Southwest Palawan, from Canipaan to Canduaga
> Pampangan – Pampanga, Tarlac & Bataan provinces
> Pangasinan – Pangasinan Province
> Paranan – East coast, Isabela Province, Luzon; surrounded by hills, Isolated
> Philippine Sign Language – Deaf sign language
> Porohanon – Camotes Islands
> Ratagnon – Southern tip of western Mindoro
> Romblomanon – Romblon & Sibuyan Is, parts of eastern Tablas island, north of Panay
> Sama, Abaknon – Capul Island near San Bernardino Strait, Northwest Samar
> Sama, Balangingi – Sulu Arch., NE of Jolo, Zambo.coast, Basilan Is, Western Mindanao
> Sama, Central – Sulu Province. Also on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia
> Sama, Pangutaran – West central Sulu, west of Jolo
> Sama, Southern – Archipelago next to Borneo, southern Sulu
> Sambal, Botolan – Central Luzon, Zambales Province
> Sambal, Tina – Luzon, northern Zambales Province
> Sangil – Balut Island, off Mindanao
> Sangir – Balut & Sarangani islands off of Mindanao
> Sorsogon, Masbate – Luzon, Sorsogon, Casiguran & Juban, Sorsogon Province
> Sorsogon, Waray – Southern Sorsogon Province
> Subanen, Northern – Tuboy, Sr. Osmeña, Mutia; Zamboanga Norte; Salog; Misamis Occidental
> Subanon, Western – Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula
> Subanun, Lapuyan – Sub-peninsulas of eastern Zamboanga Sur
> Sulod – Tapaz, Capiz Province; Lambanao, Iloilo Province; Valderama, Antique Province
> Surigaonon – Surigao, Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Lanuza
> Tadyawan – East central Mindoro
> Tagalog – Manila, most of Luzon & Mindoro
> Tagbanwa – Central & northern Palawan around Lamane
> Tagbanwa, Calamian – Coron Island, north of Palawan, northern Palawan & Busuanga
> Tagbanwa, Central – Northern Palawan
> Tausug – Jolo, Sulu Archipelago
> Tawbuid, Eastern – Central Mindoro
> Tawbuid, Western – Central Mindoro
> T’boli – South Cotabato
> Tiruray – Upi, Cotabatoo
> Waray-Waray – Northern & eastern Samar-Leyte
> Yakan – Sulu Archipelago, Basilan Island, western Mindanao
> Yogad – Echague, Isabela Province, Luzon (Main Source: Summer Institute of Linguistics)/PN
