Skip to main content »
Igorotage

Cordillera Languages

The different languages in the Cordillera Administrative Region and why the Cordillerans speak Ilocano.

 |  4 min read

Igorot Jesus and his twelve disciples | The Cordillera Life
Igorot Jesus and his twelve disciples The Cordillera Life

The Cordillera Administrative Region has the most diversified dialects among the regions in the Philippines. Each dialect even has respective variations per town or even per barangay. The diversity in Cordillera languages can be attributed to the divisions caused by mountain ranges across the region.

Because of the diversity of the languages, the Cordillera people informally set a meeting-point language, the Ilocano. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 39.83% of the households in the region speak Ilocano.

Apart from Ilocano, here are the different Cordillera languages spoken in every province according to Ethnologue.

Abra

  • Itneg

    The Itneg dialect has five dialects namely Binongan, Inlaod, Maeng, Masadiit, and Moyadan.

  • Adasen

    This is spoken in northeastern parts of Abra.

  • Mabaka Valley Kalinga

    A dialect of the Kalinga language spoken in western parts of the province.

  • Northern Kankanaey

    Northern Kankanaey is spoken in Tubo municipality.

Apayao

  • Isnag

    This language is divided into Bayag, Dibagat-Kabugao, Calanasan, Karagawan, and Talifugu-Ripang dialects.

  • Adasen

    Adasen is closely similar to Isnag and is spoken in the western parts of Apayao.

  • Limos Kalinga and Mabaka Valley Kalinga

    Dialects of the Kalinga language spoken in Conner municipality.

Benguet

  • Kankanaey

    The variations of the Kankanaey language include Mankayan-Buguias, Kapangan, Bakun-Kibungan, and Guinzadan dialects.

  • Kankanaey proper

    This is spoken in the northern parts of Benguet.

  • Ibaloi

    This language has close similarities with the Pangasinan language. Its dialects include Daklan, Kabayan, and Bokod.

  • Western Kalanguya

    A dialect under Kalanguya language spoken in the municipality of Bokod.

Ifugao

  • Ifugao

    Its main dialects are Amganad, Batad, Mayoyao, and Tuwali.

  • Northern Kalanguya

    A variation of Kalanguya spoken in Tinoc municipality.

Kalinga

  • Balangao

    This language is spoken in Tanudan municipality.

  • Kalinga

    Ethnologue divided Kalinga into 8 different languages namely Butbut, Limos, Lubuagan, Mabaka Valley, Majukayang, Southern, Tanudan, and Banao. These 8 languages are further diversified into their respective dialects.

  • Masadiit Itneg

    A dialect of the Itneg language spoken in the western border strip of Kalinga.

Mountain Province

  • Bontoc

    Otherwise known as Finallig, this language is spoken in Bontoc. It has five variations which are Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Southwestern Bontoc.

  • Majukayang Kalinga

    A dialect of the Kalinga language spoken in Paracelis municipality.

  • Northern Kankanaey

    A language spoken in Western Mountain Province.

3 Common Phrases Translated in Cordilleran languages

1. Good morning!

  • Mapteng ja agsapa (Ibaloi)
  • Maphod di bigat mo (Amganad- Ifugao)
  • Maphod an biggat (Batad- Ifugao)
  • Maphod an nanong mu (Mayoyao- Ifugao)
  • Mayat an biggatna (Tuwali- Ifugao)
  • Naimbag nga agsapa( Ilocano)
  • Napiya nga algaw (Isnag)
  • Nabalu ay wakas ( Itneg- Binongan and Maeng)
  • Bag araoyo ( Moyadan- Itneg)
  • Napiye un al-algaw (Lubuagan-Kalinga)
  • Napiya un gidgidam (Southern Kalinga)
  • Gawis ay agsapa (Kankanaey)

2. What's your name?

  • Ngachan mo? (Bontoc)
  • Nganto y ngaran mo? (Ibaloi)
  • Hipay ngadan nu? (Ifugao)
  • Ania ti nagan mo? (Ilocano)
  • Sinon ngadan mo? (Kankanaey)

3. Yes

  • Wen (Ilocano, Northern Kankanaey)
  • Aw (Kankanaey Proper)
  • Owen (Ibaloi)
  • Kon (Kalinga- Tanudan Area)
  • Bo (Binongan- Itneg)

Now what?

Learning the different Cordilleran languages can be challenging but it will be worth it. Being articulate in any of the dialects will make your journey in the Cordillera more educational and enjoyable.

If you are a Cordilleran and you are not fluent in your native dialect yet, I challenge you to learn and speak your dialect. Being fluent in our mother tongue connects us deeper to our roots. Learn the vocabulary of the Igorot people!

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.- Nelson Mandela

If you are a tourist planning to visit a place in the Cordillera, I highly encourage you to learn some of the basic phrases in the dialect of the place you plan to visit.


About the author: This article (revised) was shared exclusively by our friend Donnabeth Tolano-Aniban with the Igorotage team. Donnabeth is a licensed Filipino nurse and a former teacher. She now works as an academic writer and also writes on Medium. Her work has been featured in Her View From Home and When In Manila. You can get her book "50 Ideas For A Great Life" on Shopee.

Do you also have stories to share with the Igorot community? You can publish them directly when you create an Igorotage account or you can drop it at our email address.


I monitor the web for the most interesting and relevant content about the Igorot.


Sharing is caring, kailian!

We do hope you find something great in this story. If you find this helpful, please do share it with the people you care about.


Igorotage is a social networking site — all contents are user-generated. The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of Igorotage.

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts. No account yet?

Jozef Maynard Borja Erece: The Modern Day Renaissance Man

Jozef Maynard Borja Erece, a gifted Cordilleran from Baguio City, already made history as the youngest practicing lawyer in the world at 18.

Bot in People
Dec 31, 2021 · 8 min read
Cordillerans, Cagayanos Unite for Peace, Condemn CTG during its Anniversary

More than 2000 individuals from different groups in the Cordilleras joined in a gathering called "Peace Convention: Peace Walk and Peace Concert".

Mar 30 · 3 min read
Mrs Universe Cordilleran Queen

Proud Cordilleran mum represent UK Philippines in the recent concluded Mrs Universe 2022 held in Sofia,Bulgaria.

Feb 8 · 2 min read
Proud Cordilleran Mum for Mrs Universe

Im a Proud Cordilleran mum who is filled with mixed emotions for this once in a lifetime opportunity to represent UK and Philippines in Mrs Universe.

Oct 23, 2022 · 2 min read
"Modern Igorot" New Genre in the Cordilleran Music Industry

Cordilleran Music Industry Is Rising!

Jan 17, 2022 · 1 min read
6 Cordillerans among Top Outstanding Students of the Philippines 2021 Finalists

Six students from the Cordilleras are among the 30 finalists for the Top 10 Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) 2021.

Oct 25, 2021 · 3 min read
Cordillera among Safest Regions in the Philippines

The Cordillera is among the safest regions in the country as the number of crime incidents has dropped year on year since 2016.

Jun 2, 2021 · 3 min read
Two Cordilleran Qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Two athletes from the Cordilleras qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

May 22, 2021 · 3 min read
Cordillera Days

Two Cordillera Day? April 24 was declared by the Cordillera People's Alliance and July 15 was declared by the government. Now, which is more legit?

Apr 23, 2021 · 3 min read
3 Cordillerans among Topnotchers in March 2021 MedTech Licensure Exams

3 Cordillerans are among the topnotchers in the March 2021 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination. (SLU, UB among Top Performing Schools)

Mar 25, 2021 · 2 min read
What to learn next?

You might also like to read more related articles filed under General — or jump to a random article!

General Surprise me