Language Vitality Case of Higaonon Language in Rogongon, Iligan City

Alican M. Pandapatan; Adiah A. Ali; Aleah T. Macarambon; Charry G. Altamia; Naida U. Ramos; Norjanah U. Hadji Socor; Sittie Zinab M. Abaton; Alyanah G. Pantao

Alican M. Pandapatan
Adiah A. Ali
Aleah T. Macarambon
Charry G. Altamia
Naida U. Ramos
Norjanah U. Hadji Socor
Sittie Zinab M. Abaton
Alyanah G. Pantao

Keywords: Higaonon, Language vitality, EGIDS, Intergenerational transmission, MTB-MLE

Abstract

In a globalized world today, the Indigenous Peoples’ languages have been impacted by the avalanche of socio-politico-economic factors which result to language instability. One of the IP languages in Mindanao, Philippines is the Higaonon language which is threatened with various social impacts. This study investigated the vitality of the Higaonon language using the EGIDS by Lewis & Simons (2010) as a tool and interviewed key informants. Qualitative method and descriptive analysis were used. Given the gap on the unmatched finding of ethnologue about the language domains and the DepEd policy in supporting the IP language, the researchers immersed themselves in a select area where Higaonon is used. Using the EGIDS, it was revealed that the Higaonon language is at Level 6b, threatened and vulnerable. However, some responses from informants indicated that the Higaonon language is vehicular somehow showing that is used in wider communication, education, and trade. On the other hand, it is shifting due to various factors that affect language progress. Important ideas from the narratives of the key informants are: mostly domestic use of the language, speakers’ discrimination due to the use of the language, inferiority of one’s ethnic identity, and motivation on sustaining the language use even outside the Philippines. Due to this, local policies and programs are enumerated to facilitate the survival and sustainability of the Higaonon language. The findings might be limited due to immersion into one area, therefore further investigations in various periphery areas where Higaonon is used are recommended.

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