Regional Variability and Domain-Specific Acceptance of Philippine English Expressions Among Younger Filipinos

Abstract

Philippine English (PhE) is a dynamic variety of the English language influenced by local languages and cultures. Despite its widespread use, PhE acceptability studies have often focused on Metro Manila, neglecting regional variations. This study aims to explore the acceptability of PhE expressions or Filipinisms across different regions and communication domains among younger Filipinos, addressing the gap in regional representation in previous research. We gathered data employing the Philippine English Acceptability Questionnaire (PEAQ) involving 160 undergraduate students from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region. The questionnaire included 100 items from various etymological origins and asked respondents to rate their acceptability across formal and informal, written and spoken domains. Our findings indicate a high overall acceptability of PhE expressions across all regions, with the National Capital Region showing slightly lower acceptance rates. Certain expressions were preferred in specific domains, such as legal terms in formal contexts and everyday terms in informal settings. The study confirms the strong acceptance of PhE expressions among younger Filipinos, suggesting a move towards endonormative stabilization of PhE, challenging previous findings of limited acceptance and highlighting the influence of digital media on language use. In addition, our findings have implications for language planning and policy reforms, suggesting that PhE local expressions can be more prominently included in academic and professional settings. Despite limitations in sampling and geographic representation, this study significantly contributes to the understanding of PhE’s evolving status in the linguistic landscape of the Philippines.

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