The Linguistic Evolution of Vowels in Bisaya-Sinugboanon
In the rich tapestry of the Bisaya-Sinugboanon language, the alphabet or titikanan holds a fascinating history, particularly regarding its vowel system. This article delves into the phonemic and graphemic structures that define this language, tracing its development from pre-colonial times to the present day.
The Current Vowel System
Today, the Bisaya-Sinugboanon language features five distinct vowel phonemes, each represented by corresponding graphemes, as detailed in Table 1. These phonemic symbols are based on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), providing a standardized framework for linguistic analysis.
Table 1: Vowels in Bisaya-Sinugboanon Language
However, some grammarians or batadila maintain that historically, only three vowel phonemes existed: /æ/, /¡/, and /u:/. Consequently, they argue for just three graphemic representations: /a/, /i/, and /u/. This perspective aligns with the pre-Spanish era in the archipelago, where the ancient Baybayin script utilized only three vowels.
Spanish Influence and Phonemic Expansion
The arrival of Spanish colonizers brought significant linguistic changes. The Spanish language, with its five vowel sounds, was introduced to the indigenous populations or lumad. Through education and cultural exchange, two additional vowels—/e/ and /o/—were incorporated into the Bisaya-Sinugboanon phonetic inventory.
Over time, this integration led to the expansion of the language's vowel system from three to five phonemes. This evolution reflects the dynamic nature of language, adapting to external influences while preserving its core identity.
Why Did Baybayin Have Only Three Vowels?
The Baybayin script, used historically in regions like Katagalogan and Kabisay-an, featured just three vowels: = a, = i, and = u. This limitation stems from the linguistic practices of the indigenous peoples, who were not meticulous in vowel pronunciation. According to Morrow, ancient Tagalog and other language groups did not distinctly differentiate between /i/ and /e/ or /u/ and /o/ until Spanish loanwords entered their vocabulary.
Even in contemporary usage, these vowels often interchange in words such as:
- lalaki/lalake (man)
- babae (woman) and kababaihan (womanhood or womankind)
- uod/ood (worm)
- puno (tree trunk) and punung-kahoy (tree)
- oyaye/oyayi/uyayi (lullaby)
Thus, for indigenous speakers, a single symbol sufficed to represent two similar sounds: one for /i/ and /e/, and another for /u/ and /o/. This does not imply the absence of these sounds in speech; rather, /e/ and /o/ existed as intermediate phonemes between /a/ and /i/, and /i/ and /u/, respectively.
This linguistic phenomenon highlights the adaptability of the Bisaya-Sinugboanon language, bridging historical roots with colonial influences to form a unique phonetic landscape.
