The 7th webinar on the ThinkTalk: Languages, Literature, Arts and Communication Series showcased four studies on the Kankanaey language presented by Benguet State University (BSU) researchers. Hosted by the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD) and the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH), the webinar was conducted on November 15, 2024 at the Research and Extension Everlasting Hall.
The event, which convened 80 participants, aimed to share Kankanaey language research findings, capacitate teachers and future teachers to integrate Indigenous Peoples’ Education (IPEd) into their lessons, and promote appreciation for indigenous languages.
VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres opened the webinar, expressing appreciation to the organizers and encouraging participants to seek external project funding. He also urged young researchers and those interested in international research presentation to familiarize themselves with the University research processes, from proposal submission to presentation of research in the annual in-house review.
Lumbres highlighted the significance of international engagements for BSU’s global ranking and the potential of international collaborations. He also encouraged the BSU experts to involve younger generations in research to promote sustainability in research endeavors.
Karen O. Laking, a CAH faculty member, presented the activity’s overview and rationale. This was followed by presentations of research studies by CAH Faculty Members Ronda B. Tullay, John Rey O. Pelila, Mitche A. Aglasi, and CTE Faculty Member Anna Cris L. Langaoan.
In the morning session, Tullay gave the participants a glance at the Kankanaey Language through their upcoming book, Encyclopedia of Benguet Indigenous Knowledge System. One section of the book focused on the Kankanaey language and Tullay elaborated on how the spelling of the word “Kankanaey” has evolved. Based on their findings, the word “Kankanaey” also has its own syllable structure.
Likewise, Pelila talked about his research project titled, “What can 1966 and 2023 Tell Us About the Evolution of Kankanaey Translation.” He presented the evolution of the Kankanaey language by presenting words from 1966 and their translations in 2023.
In the afternoon session, Langaoan presented her study titled “Classifying the Pragmatic Particles in the Kankanaey Language.” She highlighted the potential for indigenous language endangerment, emphasizing the significant role of language documentation to preserve indigenous languages. Her study revealed that Kankanaey pragmatic particles significantly contribute to expressing emotions in discourse such as certainty, sympathy, uncertainty, and surprise.
Finally, Aglasi shared her research on Estilistika at Katangian ng mga Bugtong ng Kangkanaey-Benguet. In her study, she analyzed the linguistic styles and the characteristics of bugtong or riddles of the Kankanaey-Benguet.
Each presentation was followed by an open forum, allowing for discussions, knowledge sharing, and appreciation of the Kankanaey language.
At the end of the event, CAH Faculty Member Adrian Kyle C. Cariño provided a synthesis of the event. ISRD Director Ann Heather B. Kiwang also delivered her closing remarks, by sharing two surveys related to indigenous languages.
She shared that, according to the 2018 United Nations’ report, over half of the world’s languages are at risk of extinction by 2100 and majority of these endangered languages are indigenous languages. She also cited Masud Khawaja’s 2021 research, which highlighted that language loss impaired intergenerational knowledge transfer and compromised the personal identity of indigenous communities.
“Sa tanong na kung may silbi ang ating ginagawa (on research)? Meron yan. May silbi ang ating ginagawa for as long as it is for the purpose of honoring and respecting our own language and culture,” Kiwang expressed.//EBawayan