True and False Cognates of Hiligaynon and Filipino: A Contrastive Analysis

Main Article Content

Hazel D. Joaquin

Abstract

This study primarily explored on the true and false cognates of Hiligaynon and Filipino languages from the standpoint of contrastive analysis. The analysis was anchored on the assumption that second language could be learned best if it had similarities with the native language of the speaker learning to speak the second language.  Specifically, it aimed to meet the following objectives: (1) list down the true and false cognates of Hiligaynon and Filipino, and (2) draw comparisons and implications on teaching the second language.


The grouping of the cognates was patterned on the phonetic semantic resemblance grouping used by Florida Dangan in her study. The phonetic semantic resemblance was subdivided into: (1) total phonetic semantic resemblance, e.g. (Hiligaynon – buhok, Filipino – buhok, English – hair), (2) semantic and partial phonetic resemblance, e.g. (Hiligaynon – lakat, Filipino – lakad, English – walk), and (3) seemingly divergent phonetic semantic resemblance, e.g. (Hiligaynon – ibalhin, Filipino – isalin, English – transfer).


There were 207 words listed which included roots and derivations. Some of them were taken from the dictionary of Tomas A. Abuyen, from the study of Florida Dangan, and from the researcher herself who was also a native speaker of Hiligaynon.


Based on the analysis made between the two languages, it showed that there were words in Hiligaynon and Filipino, which were exactly the same in spelling, pronunciation and meaning. However, there were also words in both languages, which were spelled exactly the same, but had different meaning and pronunciation.   Since there were many similarities between the two languages, it will be easy for Hiligaynon speakers to learn and speak the Filipino language.

Article Details

Section
Articles