Dialects by Language Family

🌴 Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Philippine Languages

🏞️ Northern Philippine Languages

Ilocano – spoken in Northern Luzon; has dialects like Laoag Ilocano, Cagayan Ilocano

Ibanag – Cagayan Valley; closely related to Itawis

Itawis – also in Cagayan; shares features with Ibanag and Ilocano

Ivatan – Batanes Islands; includes dialects like Itbayat

Ifugao – Cordillera; includes Tuwali and Ayangan dialects

Itneg (Tingguian) – Abra province; multiple dialects across Tingguian communities

🏕️ Central Philippine Languages

Tagalog – basis of Filipino; dialects include Batangas Tagalog, Manila Tagalog

Kapampangan – Pampanga; dialects like Abacan and Candaba

Pangasinense – Pangasinan province; minor dialectal variation

Bikolano (Central Bikol) – Bicol Region; includes Rinconada Bikol, Pandan Bikol, Albay Bikol

Cebuano (Bisaya) – Visayas and Mindanao; dialects include Boholano, Leyte Cebuano

Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) – Western Visayas; dialects in Iloilo, Bacolod

Kinaray-a – Antique and parts of Iloilo; closely related to Hiligaynon

Waray – Eastern Visayas; dialects in Samar and Leyte

Aklanon – Aklan province; includes the rare Inakeanon dialect

Capiznon – Capiz province; transitional between Hiligaynon and Aklanon

Masbateño – Masbate island; transitional between Bikol and Visayan

Romblomanon – Romblon province; includes dialects like Sibuyanon, Odionganon

Onhan – Southern Romblon; also called Taga-onhan

Cuyonon – Northern Palawan; dialects vary across Cuyo Islands

🏝️ Southern Philippine Languages

Maguindanao – Maguindanao province; dialects include Upper and Lower Maguindanao

Maranao – Lanao provinces; dialects vary slightly across towns

Tausūg – Sulu Archipelago; dialects in Jolo, Basilan

Yakan – Basilan; distinct from Tausūg

Iranun – Lanao and Maguindanao; closely related to Maranao

Manobo languages – a large group including:

• Agusan Manobo

• Cotabato Manobo

• Matigsalug

• Obo Manobo

• Ilianen

• Dibabawon

• Binukid (Bukidnon)

Tboli – South Cotabato; unique phonology

Blaan – Sarangani and South Cotabato

Mansaka – Compostela Valley

Mandaya – Davao Oriental

Kamayo – Surigao del Sur

Kalagan – Davao del Norte

Sangil – Sarangani; influenced by Indonesian

Tau’t Batu – Southern Palawan; part of Palawanic subgroup

🌊 Philippine Creole Languages

Chavacano – Spanish-based creole spoken in:

Zamboanga (Zamboangueño)

Cavite (Caviteño)

Ternate (Ternateño)

🌿 Palawanic Languages (still Austronesian but distinct subgroup)

Tagbanwa

Palawano

Batak

Molbog

Aborlan Tagbanwa