. THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINES GROUP.

This is divided into two subgroups: Northern Luzon and Bashic -Central Luzon-Northern Mindoro. The Northern Luzon subgroup is composed of Southern Cordilleran, Ilokano, and South-Central Cordilleran; The second subgroup is composed of Bashic, Central Luzon, and Norhtern Minodoro languages. This is diagrammed below: 



Table 1 Classification of the Northern Luzon Subgroup (NP 1)
  1. Northern Cordilleran --(a) Ibanagic ~ Adasen, Atta, Ibanag, Itawwis, Yogad, Gaddang, Ga’dang, Isneg; (b) Arta ; © Dumagat ~ Kasiguranin, Paranan/Palanenyo, Agta --Alabat Island, Manide, Casiguran , Central Cagayan, Dicamay , Dupaninan, Umirey, Edimala, Pugot.
2. Ilokano
3. South-Central Cordilleran: (a) Southern Cordilleran ~ Inibaloi, Iwaak, Kallahan (Kayapa, Keley-i, Tinoc), Karaw; Pangasinan; Ilongot/Bugkalot; (b) Central Cordilleran ~ Itneg --Tingguian, Inlaod, Masadiit, Luba Tiempo; Kalinga --Butbut, Limos, Lower Tanudan, Lubuagan, KKal-uwan, Madukayang, Sumadel-Tinglayan, Upper Tanudan; Isinai; Nuclear Cordilleran ~ Balangao, Bontoc, (Igorot, Kadaklan-Barlig), Kankanay (Sagada Igorot, Northern Benguet); Ifugao -- Amganad, Batad, Mayoyao, Kiangan. 


Table 2 The Bashic-Central Luzon-Northern Mindoro Subroup (NP 2)
  1 Bashic: Ibatan.
2. Central Luzon: (a) Sinauna; (b) Sambalic --Ayta (Abenlen, Ambala, Bataan Sambal, Mag-anchi Sambal, Mag-indi/Baloga, Bolinao Sambal, Botolan Sambal, Tina Sambal); © Kapampangan
3. Northern Mindoro: Alangan, Iraya, Tadyawan 

 

II. SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES GROUP

Twenty-three languages comprise this group. Subanon, Manobo, and Danao are its major divisions. 



Diagram 2 Southern Philippines Language Group

III. MESO PHILIPPINES 

This group has four subgroups, namely: Southern Mangyan, Kalamian, Palawan, and Central Philippines which in turn is subdivided into Tagalog, Bikol, Mansaka, Mamanwa, and Bisaya. There are five Bisaya subgroups --Southern, Cebuan, Central, Banton, and Western. 

2

Diagram 3. The Meso-Philippines Group 

This Group includes (1) South Mangyan: Batangan/Buhid, Tawbuid (Eastern), Tawbuid (Western), Hanunoo; (2) Kalamian: Agutaynen, Kalamianen, Tagbanwa; (3) Palawan: Batak, Molbog, Palaweño, Tagbanwa; (4) Central Philippines -- (a) Tagalog; (b) Bikol - Agta (Isarog, Iraya, Iriga), Naga, Virac, Albay, Rinconada, Pandan; © Mansakan -- Davawenyo, Kalagan, Tagakaulo, Kamayo, Isamal, Caraga, Mansaka, Cataeleño (d) Mamanwa; at (e) Bisaya.



Diagram 4. The Bisaya Languages. 

The languages in this group are: : Aklanon, Calayunen, Cuyonon, Malaynon, Kinaray-a, Ratagnon; Looknon, Ati, Romblomanon, Sorsogon Gubat, Sorsogon Bicol, Waray; Capiznon, Hiligaynon, Masbatenyo, Porohanon; Surigaonon, Butuanon, Tausug; Cebuano; Bantoanon; Mabinay Ata, Negros Oriental, Ayta (Sorsogon), Ayta (Tayabas), Karolanos (gitnang Negros), Magahat (Southwestern Negros), and Sulod (Tapaz, Capiz).

IV. SOUTH MINDANAO. The following are the languages in this Group Blaan Koronadal, Sarangani Blaan, Tboli; Tiruray, Bagobo ~ Giangan.

V SAMA-BADJAW. The seven languages in this group are classified into (a) Abaknon; (b) Yakan; and © Sulu-Borneo which includes Jama Mapun, Pangutaran Sama, Sama Balangingi, Siasi Sama, Sibutu.

VI CELEBES SANGIR. is spoken in Balut and Sarangani Islands.. 

CREOLE. Chavacano is a creole. It does not belong to the Austronesian family of languages. Its lexicon is Spanish bur its syntax is similar to that of other Philippine languages. Chavacano is spoken in Zamboanga, Basilan, Cavite, Ternate, and Ermita (Manila).

Maguindanao, Tausug, Maranao, and Ibanag complete the first dozen of Philippine languages with the most number of speakers. Four Philippine languages are listed by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) in the "Top 100 languages by Population" --Tagalog (number 57), Cebuano (# 61), Ilokano (# 91), and Hiligaynon (#100).

It is also worthwhile noting that some of these languages now are on their way to extinction: Agta (Alabat Island, Camarines Norte, Iraya); Northern Alta (Baler Negrito, Ditaylan Alta, Ditaylin Dumagat); Arta (of Aglipay and Nagtipunan in Quirino Province); Ata (Mabinay, Negros Oriental); Ayta (Sorsogon, Tayabas); Batak (Babuyan, Tinitianes, Palawan Batak); Katabaga (Bondoc Peninsula).