Sambalic languages
Encyclopedia
The Sambalic languages are a part of the Central Luzon
language family spoken by the Sambals
, an ethno-linguistic group on the western coastal areas of Central Luzon as well as the Zambales Mountain ranges. The largest Sambalic languages are Sambal, Bolinao
, and Botolan
with approximately 200,000, 105,000 and 72,000 speakers, respectively based on the 2007 population statistics from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). These figures are the combined population of the municipalities where the language is spoken. For the Sambali or Sambal ethno-linguistic subgrouping, the estimated number of speakers is based on the total population of Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, and Iba municipalities of Zambales. For the Sambal Bolinao subgrouping, projected number of speakers is taken from the combined population of Anda and Bolinao municipalities of Pangasinan. The Sambal Botolan subgroup on the otherhand takes the aggregated population of Botolan and Cabangan municipalities. The rest are smaller languages spoken almost exclusively within various Aeta
communities. In total, there are approximately 390,000 speakers of Sambalic languages. Speakers can also be found in other towns of Zambales not mentioned above, Olongapo City, Bataan, Tarlac, and Metro Manila. An estimated 6000 speakers can also be found in Panitian
, Quezon, Palawan
and Puerto Princesa City. The language is also spoken by many Filipino immigrants in the U.S. and Canada. In Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, for instance, the language is spoken by a clan of Zambals. It is interesting to note that in Casino Nova Scotia in the maritimes city of Halifax, a group of Sambals can be found running the card games. Community organizations of Sambal-speaking Filipino-Americans are found in San Diego and San Francisco, California as well as in Hawaii.
The Sambalic languages are most closely related to Kapampangan
and to an archaic form of Tagalog
still spoken in Tanay
in the province of Rizal
. This has been interpreted to mean that Sambal-speakers
had once inhabited that area, later being displaced by migrating Tagalog-speakers
, pushing the original inhabitants northward to what is now the province of Zambales, in turn, displacing the Aetas. There is also a possible relationship between these Sambalic languages speakers and the population of the island provinces of Marinduque and Romblon based on commonalities in some traditions and practices.
: Zambal) is the common, collective name for all the Sambalic languages speakers. It is also the term referring to the Sambalic language subgrouping in northern municipalities of Zambales, which comprises the majority of Sambals or more than 50 percent (200,000) of all Sambalic languages speakers (390,000). Sambal may also refer to the inhabitants of Zambales as a whole and the residents of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan.
.
Central Luzon languages
The Central Luzon languages are a group of languages spoken in the Philippines. One of them, Kapampangan, is the major language of the Mount Pinatubo area...
language family spoken by the Sambals
Sambal people
The Sambal are a Filipino ethnolinguistic group living primarily in the province of Zambales, the city of Olongapo, and the Pangasinense municipalities of Bolinao and Anda...
, an ethno-linguistic group on the western coastal areas of Central Luzon as well as the Zambales Mountain ranges. The largest Sambalic languages are Sambal, Bolinao
Bolinao language
The Bolinao language is spoken primarily in the Pangasinense municipality of Anda and the town of Bolinao. It has approximately 50,000 speakers , making it the second most widely spoken Sambalic language....
, and Botolan
Botolan language
Botolan is a Sambalic language spoken by 32,867 Sambal, primarily in the Zambal municipalities of Botolan and Cabangan in the Philippines.-Phonology:...
with approximately 200,000, 105,000 and 72,000 speakers, respectively based on the 2007 population statistics from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). These figures are the combined population of the municipalities where the language is spoken. For the Sambali or Sambal ethno-linguistic subgrouping, the estimated number of speakers is based on the total population of Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, and Iba municipalities of Zambales. For the Sambal Bolinao subgrouping, projected number of speakers is taken from the combined population of Anda and Bolinao municipalities of Pangasinan. The Sambal Botolan subgroup on the otherhand takes the aggregated population of Botolan and Cabangan municipalities. The rest are smaller languages spoken almost exclusively within various Aeta
Aeta
The Aeta , Agta or Ayta are an indigenous people who live in scattered, isolated mountainous parts of Luzon, Philippines. They are considered to be Negritos, who are dark to very dark brown-skinned and tend to have features such as a small stature, small frame, curly to kinky afro-like textured...
communities. In total, there are approximately 390,000 speakers of Sambalic languages. Speakers can also be found in other towns of Zambales not mentioned above, Olongapo City, Bataan, Tarlac, and Metro Manila. An estimated 6000 speakers can also be found in Panitian
Panitian
Panitian is a barangay in the municipality of Quezon of the province of Palawan, established through Republic Act No. 2593 enacted on June 21, 1959...
, Quezon, Palawan
Quezon, Palawan
Quezon, Palawan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 41,669 people in 8,453 households...
and Puerto Princesa City. The language is also spoken by many Filipino immigrants in the U.S. and Canada. In Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, for instance, the language is spoken by a clan of Zambals. It is interesting to note that in Casino Nova Scotia in the maritimes city of Halifax, a group of Sambals can be found running the card games. Community organizations of Sambal-speaking Filipino-Americans are found in San Diego and San Francisco, California as well as in Hawaii.
The Sambalic languages are most closely related to Kapampangan
Kapampangan language
The Pampangan language, or Kapampangan , is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pampanga, the southern half of the province of Tarlac and the northern portion of the province of Bataan. Kapampangan is also understood in some barangays of...
and to an archaic form of Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
still spoken in Tanay
Tanay, Rizal
Tanay is a 1st class municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is located 57 kilometers east of Manila, although a typical commute between Manila and Tanay will take between one to three hours depending upon traffic conditions...
in the province of Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
. This has been interpreted to mean that Sambal-speakers
Sambal people
The Sambal are a Filipino ethnolinguistic group living primarily in the province of Zambales, the city of Olongapo, and the Pangasinense municipalities of Bolinao and Anda...
had once inhabited that area, later being displaced by migrating Tagalog-speakers
Tagalog people
The Tagalog people are an ethnic group in the Philippines. The name Tagalog comes from either the native term tagá-ilog, meaning 'people living along the river', or another native term, tagá-alog, meaning 'people living along the ford', a ford being a shallow part of a river or stream where people,...
, pushing the original inhabitants northward to what is now the province of Zambales, in turn, displacing the Aetas. There is also a possible relationship between these Sambalic languages speakers and the population of the island provinces of Marinduque and Romblon based on commonalities in some traditions and practices.
Table of speakers
Sambal (SpanishSpanish in the Philippines
Spanish was imposed as an official language of the Philippines from the beginning of Spanish rule since the times of Miguel López de Legazpi in the late 16th century, through American rule and independence, until the change of Constitution in 1973...
: Zambal) is the common, collective name for all the Sambalic languages speakers. It is also the term referring to the Sambalic language subgrouping in northern municipalities of Zambales, which comprises the majority of Sambals or more than 50 percent (200,000) of all Sambalic languages speakers (390,000). Sambal may also refer to the inhabitants of Zambales as a whole and the residents of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan.
| Language | Speakers |
|---|---|
| Abellen Abellen language Abellen, Abenlen, or Aburlin is a Sambalic language. It has about 3,500 speakers and is spoken within an Aeta community in the province of Tarlac in the Philippines.-See also:*Languages of the Philippines... |
3,500 (Stone 2005) |
| Ambala Ambala language Ambala is a Sambalic language spoken in the Philippines. It has more than 2,000 speakers and is spoken within Aeta communities in the Zambal municipalities of Subic, San Marcelino, and Castillejos; in the city of Olongapo; and in Dinalupihan, Bataan.-See also:*Languages of the Philippines... |
2,000 (Ramos 2004) |
| Bolinao Bolinao language The Bolinao language is spoken primarily in the Pangasinense municipality of Anda and the town of Bolinao. It has approximately 50,000 speakers , making it the second most widely spoken Sambalic language.... |
105,000 |
| Botolan Botolan language Botolan is a Sambalic language spoken by 32,867 Sambal, primarily in the Zambal municipalities of Botolan and Cabangan in the Philippines.-Phonology:... |
72,000 |
| Mag-antsi Mag-antsi language Mag-antsi or Mag-anchi is a Sambalic language. It has around 4,200 speakers and is spoken within Aeta communities in the Zambal municipalities of Botolan, San Marcelino, and Castillejos; in the Tarlaqueño municipalities of Capas and Bamban; in Mabalacat, Pampanga; and in the city of... |
4,200 (Stock 2005) |
| Mag-indi Mag-indi language Mag-indi or Baloga is a Sambalic language. It has around 5,000 speakers and is spoken within Aeta communities in San Marcelino, Zambales, and in the Pampango municipalities of Floridablanca and Porac.-See also:*Languages of the Philippines... |
5,000 (SIL 1998) |
| Mariveleño Mariveleño language Mariveleño or Bataan is a Sambalic language. It has around 500 speakers and is spoken within an Aeta community in Mariveles in the Philippines.-See also:*Languages of the Philippines... |
500 (Wurm 2000) |
| Sambal | 200,000 |
| Total | 392,200 |
Sample text: Philippine national proverb
Below are translations in Sambal, Bolinao, and Botolan of the Philippine national proverb “He who does not acknowledge his beginnings will not reach his destination,” followed by the original in TagalogTagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
.
- Sambal: Hiyay kay tanda mamanomtom ha pinag'ibatan, kay 'ya maka'lato ha ampako'tawan.”
- Bolinao: “Si [tawon] kai magtanda’ lumingap sa ibwatan [na], kai ya mirate’ sa keen [na].”
- Botolan: “Hay ahe nin nanlek ha pinag-ibatan, ay ahe makarateng ha lalakwen.”
- Tagalog: “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan.”
External links
- The Sambalic Languages of Central Luzon, paper by Roger Stone