| Abstract |
The increasing rate of the world芒聙聶s indigenous languages becoming endangered or losing
chances to survive over the past decades has caused concerns from researchers and
ethnolinguists. The present study aims to look at predictors to reversing language endangerment.
Anchored upon ethnolinguistic vitality theory, this on-going study assesses vitality of Higaonon,
an under-documented indigenous language in Mindanao, Philippines. The sociolinguistic data
will be collected through a modified and researcher-made survey questionnaire that key
informants in three regions- Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte- believed
to have the least number of Higaonons, will answer objectively and subjectively. To be chosen by
stratified-probability sampling, the Higaonon informants will be grouped as the In-group
(indigenous community residents; n=120) and the Out-group (urban residents; n=40), who will be
determined by age, gender, education and place of residence. The study employs the
experimental combination of two typologies of language vitality assessment using Giles, Bourhis
and Taylor芒聙聶s (1977) ethnolinguistic vitality framework and the UNESCO芒聙聶s 9-Vitality Criteria.
Objective and subjective assessments rest on the hypothesis that just equally important as the Ingroup芒聙聶s subjective vitality assessment is their own objective assessment, both may result to
speakers芒聙聶 perceived language vitality, language beliefs and attitudes, and the extent of language
use. Using quantitative and qualitative methods in data analysis, the results will reveal
predominant predictors of vitality (high, medium, low) that may correlate with either language
survivability or language shift. Recommendations shall be carved for language maintenance or
revitalization efforts and the pursuit of linguistic diversity. |
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology