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🏝️ Welcome to the Language Wiki of the Philippines!

A collaborative resource documenting the languages and dialects of the Philippines. Help us preserve and share linguistic diversity by contributing!

As you already know the Philippines is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 170 living languages spoken across its islands. Some of these are widely spoken until current days but some are slowly disappearing. If you know any of these languages, you might want to share your knowledge for that specific language.

🌍 Major Regional Languages

These are widely spoken and often used in media, education, and local governance:

• Cebuano (Bisaya)
• Ilocano
• Hiligaynon (Ilonggo)
• Waray
• Kapampangan
• Pangasinense
• Bikolano (Central Bikol)
• Tagalog (also the basis of Filipino)

🗺️ Explore Dialects

This wiki documents dialects both by region and by language family. You can browse the **auto-generated lists** or explore the **curated master list** below.

Languages Overview	Dialects by Region	Dialects by Language Family
Overview of all major languages and their dialect groups.	Browse dialects by geography (North, Central, South, Islands, etc.)	See how dialects connect through linguistic families.

🌍 Master List (Curated Index)

🏝️ By Region

Northern Region (Luzon)

Tagalog – Central and Southern Luzon (e.g., Manila, Batangas, Laguna)

Ilocano – Northern Luzon (Ilocos Region, parts of Cagayan Valley)

Kapampangan – Central Luzon (Pampanga, Tarlac)

Pangasinense – Pangasinan province

Bikolano (Central Bikol) – Bicol Region

Ibanag – Cagayan Valley

Itawis – Cagayan province

Ifugao – Cordillera region

Itneg (Tingguian) – Abra province

Ivatan – Batanes Islands

Ayta languages – Zambales, Bataan, and nearby areas

Central Region (Visayas)

Cebuano (Bisaya) – Cebu, Bohol, parts of Leyte and Negros Oriental

Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) – Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz

Waray – Samar and Eastern Leyte

Kinaray-a – Antique and parts of Iloilo

Aklanon – Aklan province

Capiznon – Capiz province

Romblomanon – Romblon province

Masbateno – Masbate island

Onhan – Southern Tablas Island (Romblon)

Cuyonon – Northern Palawan and Cuyo Islands

Surigaonon – Northeastern Mindanao and parts of Visayas

Southern Region (Mindanao)

Maguindanao – Maguindanao province

Maranao – Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte

Tausūg – Sulu Archipelago

Yakan – Basilan

Chavacano – Zamboanga City (Spanish-based creole)

Manobo languages – Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao regions

Tboli – South Cotabato

Blaan – Sarangani and South Cotabato

Mansaka – Compostela Valley

Mandaya – Davao Oriental

Kamayo – Surigao del Sur

Kalagan – Davao del Norte

Sangil – Sarangani

Iranun – Lanao and Maguindanao areas

Tau’t Batu – Southern Palawan (though geographically in Luzon, culturally linked to Mindanao tribes)

🏕️ By Language Family

Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → 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

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

Masbateno – 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

Maguindanao – Maguindanao province; dialects include Upper and Lower Maguindanao

Maranao – Lanao provinces; dialects vary slightly across towns

Tausug – 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

📖 Learn More

• Grammar and Structure – sentence patterns, phonology, morphology
• Vocabulary Collections – word lists and comparative tables
• Texts and Literature – stories, folk songs, sample sentences
• Resources – dictionaries, academic studies, and external links

🌟 Featured Section

Dialect of the Week
Example Dialect – A spotlight on one dialect: history, grammar, and sample text. (Rotate this weekly or monthly)

🤝 Get Involved

• How to Contribute – learn how to edit and add pages
• Page Templates – consistent structure for dialect entries
• Community Portal – discuss projects and ideas with others

🔍 Quick Search

Use the search box at the top to quickly find a dialect