Tayabas Tagalog

Tayabas Tagalog
Quezon Tagalog
Tayabasin ᜆᜌᜊᜐᜒᜈ᜔
The term "Tayabasin" written in Baybayin script with horizontal virama ("pangaltas")
Native to	Philippines
Region	Quezon
Ethnicity	Tagalog people
Native speakers	Quezonin | Tayabasin
Language family	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Philippine Greater Central Philippine Tagalog Tayabas Tagalog
Writing system	Latin (Abakada or Filipino alphabet); Baybayin (revitalizing)
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–
Glottolog	taya1253

Tayabas Tagalog, or Tayabasin, is a kind of Tagalog language. It is mainly spoken by the native Tagalog people of Quezon Province (old Tayabas Province). This dialect has developed over time and still has many special words and features shaped by the province history and traditions. It is different from the Tagalog spoken in Manila because it has its own unique words, sounds, and traditions. Different towns in Quezon also have their own unique words, adding more variety to the dialect.

Naming

Tayabas Tagalog is named after Quezon's old name, 'Tayabas,' and the main language used there, 'Tagalog.'

Dr. E. Arsenio Manuel, known as the 'Dean of Filipino Anthropology,' studied this dialect. He wrote a book called A Lexicographic Study of Tayabas Tagalog of Quezon Province in 1971. This study formalized the name 'Tayabas Tagalog' for the dialect. His work is important for understanding the history and importance of this dialect. Even before World War II, the term 'Tayabasin' was commonly used to refer to this dialect or the people of the province.

Distinct vocabulary

Tayabas Tagalog has thousands of native words not found in Bulacan-Manila Tagalog. Dr. E. Arsenio Manuel recorded this in his studies. Most of these unique words appear in oldest known dictionary, the Vocabulario De Lengua Tagala, a 1613 Spanish-Tagalog dictionary by Pedro de San Buenaventura. This shows that these words date back to the precolonial era, making Tayabas Tagalog an important link to the language's past. Many local cultural workers also have collections of words from their towns in Quezon.

English	General/Basic Tagalog	Tayabas Tagalog (Quezon)
invite	yaya	akit
bunch of coconuts	buwig ng niyog	bagaybay
a tool used for scraping coconut meat	kayuran o kudkuran ng niyog	kabyawan
cloud/ nimbus	ulap/ulap-ulan	dag-im
handrail	hawakan sa hagdan	guyabnan
scythe	kawit	halabas
throw in the fire	ilagay sa apoy	isugba
remote area/ farm	kabukiran, rural na lugar	linang
young coconut	buko	mura
skewer	pantuhog	tindagan

_{Selected Quezonian or Tayabas Tagalog vocabulary (Focus on Lucenahin words)}

Cultural and native identifier

In Tayabas Tagalog, or Tayabasin, demonyms—words used to describe the people of a place—are typically formed using the suffix -(h)in. This linguistic pattern is distinctive to the Tagalog dialects of Quezon Province, reflecting regional identity and the historical evolution of the language.

Unlike the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Cavite, and Bulacan—which employ Spanish-derived demonyms such as “Lagunense” and “Batangueño”—the province of Quezon uses the indigenous suffix “-in/-hin” (e.g., “Quezonin”). This practice forms part of the local linguistic and cultural tradition, typically sounding more natural to the residents of Quezon than Spanish-derived forms such as “-eño/-eña.” The use of this suffix goes beyond simple locative identification, such as the prefix ‘‘taga-’’ (literally “native from”), by conveying a deeper sense of belonging to the community or culture of the place. This linguistic characteristic reflects the profound connection between the people and their community, a bond evident at both the provincial level and within the smallest barangays.

Formation of Demonyms in Tayabasin Speech

The suffix -(h)in is attached to the place name to form a demonym. For example:

• Tayabas → Tayabasin
• Lucena → Lucenahin
• Batangas → Batangasin
• Laguna → Lagunahin
• Maynila → Maynilain
• Isabang → Isabangin
• Morong → Morongin

This differs from Metro Manila Tagalog or Spanish-influenced forms (like Manilenyo, Batangenyo, Bicolano or Lagunense), which use the suffixes -(ano/a), -(eño/a) or -(ense).

Sample Township Demonyms

• Tayabas → Tayabasin
• Lucena → Lucenahin
• Mauban → Maubanin
• Lucban → Lucbanin
• Infanta → Infantahin
• Pagbilaw → Pagbilawin
• Agdangan → Agdanganin
• Tagkawayan → Tagkawayanin

Barangay-Level Demonyms

Quezon’s barangay demonyms are locally productive linguistic forms using the native -(h)in rule, extending cultural identity down to the smallest community units in the region. A native might say, "Taga-Isabang ako" (“I’m from Isabang”) or “Isabangin siya” (“S/he’s from Isabang”), showing that even minor barangay identities are actively linguistically expressed in Quezonin life.

Literary usage

The term 'awit' in Tagalog mainly means 'song.' It is used for different types of songs. In Quezon Province, Tayabas 'awit' is special for its twelve-syllable verses and its link to dance. It is often performed during social gatherings and celebrations, like weddings and baptisms

Sample quotes from Tayabas Tagalog Awit Fragments "Awit sa Pagpapatulog ng Bata." This lullaby (Tagalog: hele or oyayi) is traditionally sung to help put children to sleep with its gentle and soothing melody.

Naito na naman ang bangkang may kangkong,

Kasama si Neneng sa pagbabakasyon

Saya ay maskota, tapis at patadyong,

Baro, bitubito, panyong layronlayron.

Ikaw pala Neneng ay maraming damit

Purongpurong sutla habing kamarines;

Sino ang magdadala, sino ang magbibitbit?

Si Donya Mariya, anak ni Don Felis.

Related pages

• Batangas Tagalog
• Bulacan Tagalog