Ibanag

Ibanag is a member of the Northern Luzon branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken in Cagayan and Isabela provinces in the Cagayan Valley region of northern Luzon in the Philippines. In 2005 there were about 277,000 speakers of Ibanag, which is also known as Ybanag, Ybanak or Ibanak. The name Ibanag means "people of the river".

There are two dialects: North Ibanag and South Ibanag, and the language is closely related to Gaddang, Itawis and Agta. Since 2012 Ibanag has been part of a Philippine government initiative to preserve and revive indigenous languages and cultures. Part of this initiative involves it being taught in schools in Cagayan and Isabela provinces.

There are a number of ways to write Ibanag. Early studies of the langauge from the early 20th century use a Spanish-orthography. Since then a revised spelling system has been adopted.

Ibanag alphabet and pronunciation

Ibanag alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Ibanag (Excel)

Sample text (Cagayan provincial anthem)

Cagayan, Davvun nga kakastan niakan,
Egga ka laran nakuan ta piam,
Nu kuruk tu maparrayyu ka niakan,
Ariat ta ka vuluvvuga nga kattamman.

Cagayan, Makemmemmi ka nga innan.
Cagayan, Awan tu kagittam.
Nu anni paga y kasta na davvun a karuan
Egga ka la ta futu' nga ideddukan.

Translation

Cagayan, a beautiful land to me,
You have done great things,
If it were true that you will be away from me,
I will not intently forget you.

Cagayan, I adore looking at you,
Cagayan, you are incomparable.
Even if other lands are beautiful,
You are in my heart to be loved.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibanag_language#Samples

Sample video

Information about Ibanag | Numbers

Links

Information about Ibanag
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibanag_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/ibg
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301223082_A_Referencce_Grammar_og_Ibanag_Phonology_Morphology_Syntax

Northern Luzon languages

Arta, Balangao, Bontoc, Bugkalot, Dupaningan, Gaddang, Ibaloi, Ibanag, Ifugao, Ilocano, Isinai, Itawis, Kankanaey, Pangasinan, Yogad

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 09.06.24

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