Tagalog Batangans

Batangas Tagalog also known as Batangan is a dialect of the Tagalog language spoken primarily in the province of Batangas and the island of Mindoro. The dialect is distinctively characterized by a very strong accent and its vocabulary is more closely related to ancient or old-style Tagalog. It is not customary in colloquial Batangan to speak in Taglish or to infuse English terms as the custom is with Manila Tagalog.

Grammar

The most recognisable difference is the use of the passive past tense (in Standard Filipino) in place of the present progressive. In Manila, this is done by inserting the infix -um- after the first syllable then by repeating the first syllable.

Example 1:

root word: kain (to eat)

ka-in (syllabication)

k-um-a-ka-in (eating)

Example 2:

root word: tawag (to call)

ta-wag (syllabication)

t-um-a-ta-wag (calling)

In the Batangan dialect however, this form is done by putting the prefix na- to the word.

Example 1:

root word: kain (to eat)

ka-in (syllabication)

nakain (eating)

Example 2:

root word: tawag (to call)

ta-wag (syllabication)

natawag (calling)

This conjugation of the verb is becomes funny because as what was mentioned above, this would mean the passive past to Manileños. When someone asks 'Nasaan si Pedro?' (Where is Peter?), one would promtly answer 'Nakain ng isda!', which translates to 'He's eating a fish!'. However, to those unfamiliar with this kind of usage, the statement would mean 'He was eaten by a fish!' (Just imagine how big a fish it is).

Morphology

Another undeniable character of the Batangan Tagalog isa the use of the verb ending '-si' instead of '-na', especially in the command form. It should also be noted that is only happens when the verb stands alone in a sentence or when the verb is the last word in the phrase. However, when another word is put after it, Batanguños would rever to the use of the '-an' form.

Example 1:

Person A: May kumakatok sa pinto (Someone is knocking at the door).

Person B: Aba'y, buksi! (Then open it!)

However:

Person A: May kumakatok sa pinto (Someone is knocking at the door).

Person B: Aba'y, buksan mo! (Then open it!)

One could also notice the use of the absoloute degree of an adjective, something that is not heard anywhere else. It is roughtly the equivalent to the use of 'issimo' or 'issima' in the Spanish and Italian Languages. Something absent in the other Dialects. This is done by putting the pagka- in front of the word.

Example 1:

Pagkaganda pala ng anak ng mag-asawang are ah!

The child of this couple is indeed beautiful!

Example 2:

Pagkatagal mo ba.

You move so slow.

One noticeable characteristic of the Batangan Dialect is the use of the dual number for pronouns. Although this hasn't completely disappeared in some other areas, this form is almost never used in the Manila dialect.

Example 1:

(Batangan Tagalog) Kita na! (Let's go!)

(Manila Tagalog) Tayo na! (Let's go! lit. Let us...)

Example 2:

(Batangan Tagalog) Buksan mo nga ang telebisyon nata. (Please open our telly.)

(Manila Tagalog) Buksan mo nga ang telebisyon natin.

This grammar structure is a remnant of the ancient Tagalog grammar that went on with very little change in the province for centuries.

Also, intonations more often than not tend to rise, especially to express extreme emotions.

Phonology

Another noticeable difference is the usage of the closed syllable, a practice that has completely disappeared in the Manila dialect. The town of Tanauan is actually pronounced [tan-'a-wan] whereas it would be pronounced as [ta-'na-wan] by other Tagalogs. This is also true with words like matamis, pronounced matam-is and a couple of other more words.

Also, as mentioned above, the dialect spoken in Batangas is more closely related to the ancient Tagalog. Thus the merger of the phonemes [e] and [i] and the phonemes [o] and [u] are prevalent. Also, absent in other dialects is the use of the schwa sound. This incident is common simply because the dialect spoken in the province is spoken faster compared to other dialects.

Something prevalent in the Batangan dialect that is lacking in other Dialects is the sound [ei] and [ow]. However, unlike its English counterpart, this diphthong is sounded mainly on the first vowel and very rapidly only on the second. This is very similar to the [e] in the Spanish word educaciòn and the first [o] in the Italian word Antonio.

Vocabulary

Locative adjectives are ire or are (this) and rine or dine (here).

Vocabulary is also divergent. Funny enough, the Batangueño dialect has more translation for the word 'slip', depending on how the person falls. He may either be nadulas (simply slipped), nagtingkuro (lost his balance), or worse, nagsungaba (fall on his face.)

People from Manila are also often confused why a student comes home when it's not yet time, when the teachers have earlier announced that they would have to go to school. The folk will just answer, May pasok, pero walang klase. He simply means that they would have to go to school and have their attendance checked but there is really no class to attend to.

To the confusion of other Tagalog speakers, the Batangueños also use the phrase, 'Hindi po ako nagyayabang!' to mean 'I am not telling a lie!', whereas Manileños would simply say 'Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling!'. For them, the former statement means, 'I am not boasting!'

A panday is a handyman in Batangas whereas it means a smith in Manila. An apaw is mute (pipi in Manila). La-ang is equivalent to lamang (only) in Manila. And when they don't believe you, they would exclaim 'anlaa!'

(for more of the Batangas vocabulary you could refer to http://ibaan.net/kwento_ni_lolo.php?kwento=4)

The Batangas dialect is also known for the particle eh. While the incidence of its usage is noticeable throughout the province, some variations exists like ala eh. In reality, this particle has no meaning in itself, often added only for emphasis on certain statements.

The Respectful Language

The Batangueños, like other people in the Southeast Asia deem it appropriate to always show respect to everyone. Like the Japanese, they value honour and place it at a very high position. This is shown by the fact that the Batangueños have a special form of language to show this respect.

Though it has largely disappeared in the Manila usage, the Batanguños still use the plural forms of the pronouns to show politeness. This is comparable to the use of the singular 'vous' in French and the singular 'Sie' in German. Normally, this is used to show respect to one who has authority either by age or by position. But unlike French speakers, the Batangueños have a choice either to use to second-person plural or third-person plural to show this respect.

Example 1:

Case: Someone is knocking at the door and you want to know who the person is --

[Manila Tagalog] Sino iyan?

[Batangan Tagalog] Sino sila? (which translates to 'Who are they?')

Example 2:

Case: You came to pass an older person who is family friend... The greeting will normally be---

[Manila Tagalog] 'Kumusta na po?' (wherein the particle po is the signifier of respect)

[Batangan Tagalog] 'Kumusta na po kayo?' or 'Kumusta na po sila?' (wherein 'kayo' and 'sila' are the second and third person personal pronouns, respectively.

But the use of the plurals is not limited to those of lower ranks. Those of authority is also expected to use this pluralisatrion, this time by using the first person plural inclusive 'Tayo', which functions like the Royal We. It should be noted that the Batangueños use the incluse form of the pronoun and not just the plural form.

This usage is very common for government officials or those who are deemed to handle an important popsition over a certain territory like a priest or a bishop.

This form is also used by doctors or nurses when talking to patients. Rarely will a doctor from the province ask some how is he feeling. Rather, he will ask them How are we feeling?'

And of course, one cannot belittle the use of 'po' and 'opo' to show respect. However, the Batangueños tend to replace this by 'ho' and 'oho', a typical Batanguño morphophonemic change. Nevertheless, Batangueños also understand and aprreciate if you use the 'po' and 'opo' variant of the other Tagalog regions.

Some Examples of the Batangan Vocabulary

A

Abuhan -- Wood Stove

Ala (or Ala eh) -- No particular meaning. Interjected at the beginning of a sentence.

Anlaa! -- An expression of disbelief

Apanas -- Small red ants

Apaw -- (accent on the first syllable) full ex. apaw na baso (filled glass)

Apaw -- (accent on the second syllable) mute

Apuyan -- Matches

Are -- This

Asbag -- Egoistic

Asbar -- To be hit by the parents

Aspike -- To be hit relentlessly by the parents.

Away -- a fight

B

Babag -- Fight

Bagting -- String used for marking

Bahaw -- Rice that has already gone cold

Bakas -- Share in food or property

Baksa -- A small scarf used by scouts.

Balagbag -- In the most awkward position

Balagwit -- To carry something very heavy using bamboo sticks put above the shoulders.

Baliw -- Fierce (as in a fierce dog). Note that this word means insane in Manila.

Banas -- Humid weather

Banaw -- Batangas shandy. Made by mixing wine and local lemons.

Bang-aw -- Mad dog or fool person

Baraka -- Market day, generally Saturday.

Barako -- Brave

Barik -- To drink liquior.

Barog -- To Wrestle

Basaysay -- House

Bastag -- One of the two numbers one must bet for jueteng (an illegal numbers game)

Baysanan -- A wedding ceremony.

Bihasa -- Expert

Binit -- Slingshot

Bugok -- Rotten eggs

Bulak or Sulak -- To boil

Bukana -- Entry, (bukana ng kweba – mouth of the cave)

Bulanglang -- A way of cooking meat using the water from the rice wash

Buntal -- Moderate hitting by the parents

Burbur -- Something eaten with the lihiya ricecake

Busa -- A local sweets, rice pops

Busilig -- Eyes

D

Dag-im -- Cummulus clouds;Dark sky

Dagok -- To hit from behind (especially the back)

Dawit -- Finger wrestling using the middle finger.

Dine (or rine) -- Here

Dito -- another word for dine, which also means here

Dukwang -- To peep outside the window with almost half of your body.

Dumalaga -- A chicken which is will soon be the mother hen.

G

Gahol -- Lack of time

Gawa (ng) -- Because (not made of like the Manila meaning)

Gugo -- Shampoo. But generally something from the coconut bark used for washing one’s hair during the early times.

Gulok -- Filipino katana

Guyam -- Small ant

G

Ga -- A question particle, equivalent of ba in Manila or baga in other Dialects

Ganire -- Like this!

Gawi -- Manner

Gay-on -- Like that! ex. Gay-ong gawi po lamang. (In that manner, please.)

H

Hantik -- A big ant

Halika -- to come

Hawot (in full: tuyong hawot) -- Dried fish

Hihip -- A tube used to blow the soots out of the old earthen stove.

Hikap -- Vagabond

Humba -- Left over from a festivity.

Huli -- Senile

Hunta -- A small talk with someone.

I

Imis -- To clean

Ineng -- A sweet pet name for a young girl

Ipud-ipod -- To move

Ire -- This

K

Kahanggan -- Neighborhood; neighbors

Kalis -- Limbs;reach

Kalamaghati -- Coconut jam

Kalamunding -- Calamansi

Kalpe -- Wallet

Kasaw -- Scrambled eggs

Kasilyas -- Toilet

Kawa -- A big cauldron resembling the one used by witches.

Kibal -- String beans

Kitse or Tapon -- cork

Kuloong -- Deep well

Kutal -- A very heavily soiled piece of cloth

L

La-ang -- Only (lamang in Manila)

Lako -- To peddle

Libag -- Body dirt

Liban -- To cross the street

Lintik -- Originally lightning but has become a curse word.

Lipana -- Prevalent

Lipol -- To annihilate

Liting -- A string

Lublob -- To soak in water

Luklok -- To sit

M

Maas -- Stupid

Malimit -- Often

Mamitig -- To have cramps

Mamulong -- Part of courtship when someone formally asks permission from a woman’s parent for marriage.

Mangimay -- To lose any sensation (like the feeling when anaesthesia is applied)

Minandal -- Afternoon snack

Mura -- To be scolded, also interpreted as cheap price

N

Nagawi -- To be accidentally somewhere, ex. Bakit ka ga nagawi rine? (What brought you here?)

Nuno -- The Ancestors, also a mythical being believed to reside on anthills.

P

Pagka -- If (kapag in Manila)

Panday -- Handyman

Patak -- fall (papatak - will fall)

Pihol -- To turn

Pilansik or Tilamsik -- To squirt

Pirme -- Always

Pulangga -- A kind of bird

S

Salikungkung-- A simple kite

Samlang -- One who works or eats unneatly

Sibi -- A temporary table set for festivities

Simbar -- To target from a bird’s eye view

Sinturis or Sintunis -- A citrus fruit

Sipit -- A thongs

Sipol -- To whistle

Sumba -- Something put into the back of a kite for it to fly higher

Sutil -- Stubborn

Sya na! -- Enough! or Alright! (not It is he. as in the Manila Dialect)

T

Talsik -- To be thrown

Tangwa -- The edge, especially where someone or something can fall

Tari -- A wedge attached to the claws of a cock for the cockfight

Tiping -- A kind of bread

Tubog -- A stream

Tuklong -- A chapel

Tulyase or Talyase -- Something like a ‘kawa’ but of bigger scale

Turol -- Errect

Tubal -- Dirty clothes

U

Umay -- To get sick of a particular food or activity

Umis -- Smile

Usngal -- Misplaced tooth

Utoy -- A pet name for a young boy

Uyayi -- Lullaby, also a suspended cradle.

W

Wari -- To one’s understanding.

Y

Yabang -- To tell a lie

References

• Tagalog 101 - Tagalog language dialects. Accessed on March 31, 2007.
• Ethnologue report for Tagalog language. Accessed on March 31, 2007.
• Tagalog regions and dialects. Accessed on March 31, 2007.