Batangas Tagalog

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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.

Contents

[edit] 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).

Also, stand alone verbs ending in '-an' bencomes '-si', especially in the command form. 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Some Examples of the Batangan Vocabulary

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.)

[edit] 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.

[edit] I

Imis -- To clean
Ineng -- A sweet pet name for a young girl
Ipud-ipod -- To move
Ire -- This

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] W

Wari -- To one’s understanding.

[edit] Y

Yabang -- To tell a lie

[edit] References

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