Lead Researcher(s): Therese G. Cuizon and Magnolia A. Laus
Status: Published
Abstract/summary: This study explored the importance of preserving local Cebuano vocabulary in an upland community in Cebu Province, Philippines. It aimed to mitigate the language shift caused by globalization, urbanization, modernization, and the focus on English and Filipinos in schools. A total of 148 local words were identified through archival research and interviews. These words were grouped into six categories: Agriculture, Food, and Livelihood; Domestic Life and Household Practices; Social Relations, Community Life, and Built Spaces; Traditional Tools, Technologies, and Material Culture; Environment, Geography, and Local Ecology; and Beliefs, Rituals, and Cultural Expression. Many younger residents are already unfamiliar with vocabulary related to tradition and rural life, partly because schools use different languages. This weakens their cultural identities and local language skills. The study recommends integrating local Cebuano vocabulary into the classroom to reconnect students with their heritage and promote cultural continuity. Schools are essential for preserving the local language, especially as families struggle amid social and economic change. Recent policy changes emphasize other tongue-based multilingual education. Moreover, this study urges the inclusion of the Cebuano vocabulary in the curriculum to enhance learning and protect community heritage. Integrating local vocabulary is vital for sustaining language skills and supporting relevant education.
Keywords:
- culturally responsive pedagogy
- educational language policy
- language preservation
- lexical attrition