Ethnic Groups and Languages

Ethnic Groups and Language

            The peoples and cultures of the present day Philippines arise from this unique historical background and have combined to create a wonderfully layered and welcoming culture with a large array of subcultures throughout the country. 

            Today, the people of the Philippines generally fall into one of seven different ethnic groups which are (in order of prevalence): Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, and other 25.3% (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2015).

            The same influences that contributed to the creation of these various ethnic groups have also had an impact upon language within the country as well.  The Philippines has eight major dialects closely tied to these varying ethnic groups.  Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan are listed as official languages of the country.  Additionally, there are over 175 regional and local dialects in regular use within the country (Philippine Statistic Authority, 2015).  This diversity of languages - while fascinating - can also be a barrier to communication between peoples.  While the majority of the people have been taught Tagalog, which is the national language, its use varies widely.  In some rural areas it is spoken so infrequently that people have a hard time remembering it.  
     I had a personal experience of nodding off for a few minutes on a jeepney ride one day.  When I awoke, I could tell by my watch that I had perhaps only gone a few kilometers past my stop.  Still it was an unfamiliar area.  I got off the jeepney at the next stop in order to catch one in the opposite direction and was suprised to find that no one at that stop spoke Tagalog OR Ilonggo (the dialect in the town where I was living).  It was a little unnerving and also surprising that so much could change so quickly.  Sometimes this issue is less about understanding and more about local identity.  There is a strong sense of local identity and sometimes people simply refuse to use the national language.