5 thoughts on “Language quiz

  1. Almost certain that this is a Malayo-Polynesian language of the Philippines but not Tagalog. That’s as far as I can go.

    Wild guess –> Bikol or Hiligaynon

  2. Hm. This is definitely a Philippine language, just from the phonology. It has several Spanish loans to boot, to clear up any doubt. SInce there is no such language as “Batak” in Sumatra — there is a Batak *family* of languages including Alas, Pakpak-Dairi, Karo, Simalungun, Toba and Angkola-Mandailing, I rather suspect that this is actually the Batak language of northeast Palawan island in the Philippines. (Pronounced Baták, in contrast to the Bátak of Sumatra.)

  3. What the…??

    I didn’t know Batak would sound so much like a Filipino language. It doesn’t sound anything at all like the other Sumatran languages I’m familiar with like Minangkabau, Acehnese etc.

    Is it just my hearing or could it instead be the other Batak, i.e. the Batak of Palawan island that Chris was referring to above?

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