Overview
This lecture discusses the historical development of the Filipino alphabet and orthography, tracing the evolution from indigenous writing systems to modern reforms.
Introduction to Filipino Orthography
- Orthography is the system for representing spoken language in written form, including spelling and arrangement of symbols.
- Early Filipinos used their own alphabet system called Alibata or Baybayin.
Alibata and Pre-colonial Writing
- Alibata consisted of 17 symbols: 14 consonants and 3 vowels.
- Each symbol represented a consonant with an inherent "a" vowel, modified by marks called "kudlit."
- It is believed to have originated from the ancient Sanskrit abugida system.
- Alibata declined due to Spanish colonization and is now used by few ethnic groups.
Evolution of the Filipino Alphabet
- After Spanish arrival, the Roman alphabet replaced Alibata for Filipino writing.
- In 1940, Lope K. Santos created the Abakada, consisting of 20 letters (5 vowels, 15 consonants).
- Foreign letters like C, F, J, Ñ, Q, V, X, and Z were used mainly for proper nouns.
Key Reforms and Alphabet Expansions
- 1971: The Surian ng Wikang Pambansa began studying alphabet updates.
- 1976: The "Bagong Alpabetong Pilipino" was introduced, expanding to 31 letters but was not widely adopted due to confusion.
- 1987: The modern Filipino alphabet was reformed to 28 letters, including C, F, J, Ñ, Q, V, X, and Z.
- 1999: The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino revised spelling rules, especially for borrowed and native words.
- 2001: Further revisions clarified the use and spelling of the eight added letters (C, F, J, Ñ, Q, V, X, Z).
Importance of Alibata in Identity
- Alibata is considered a key part of Filipino culture and identity.
- There are ongoing efforts to revive its teaching and appreciation in schools.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Orthography — the rules and conventions for writing a language.
- Alibata/Baybayin — the ancient Filipino syllabary used before Spanish colonization.
- Abakada — the 20-letter Tagalog-based alphabet established by Lope K. Santos.
- Kudlit — a diacritical mark used in Alibata to change vowel sounds.
- Bagong Alpabetong Pilipino — the modern Filipino alphabet expanded and revised several times.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the features and symbols of Alibata/Baybayin.
- Memorize the changes and years of alphabet reforms (Abakada, 1976, 1987, 2001).
- Reflect on the significance of orthography in developing national identity.