Tayabas Tagalog

**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|

## 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 '<nowiki/>_awit_<nowiki/>' in Tagalog mainly means 'song.' It is used for different types of songs. In Quezon Province, Tayabas _'awit_<nowiki/>' 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

## Infobox (language)

- **name**: Tayabas Tagalog
- **nativename**:
ᜆᜌᜊᜐᜒᜈ᜔
- **image**: File:Tayabasin in Tagalog script (transparent).png
- **states**: Philippines
- **region**: Quezon
- **speakers**: Quezonin  Tayabasin
- **familycolor**: Austronesian
- **fam2**: Malayo-Polynesian languages, Malayo-Polynesian
- **fam3**: Languages of the Philippines, Philippine
- **fam4**: Greater Central Philippine languages, Greater Central Philippine
- **fam5**: Tagalog language, Tagalog
- **script**: Latin script, Latin (Abakada or Filipino alphabet);
_Baybayin (revitalizing)_
- **isoexception**: dialect
- **glotto**: taya1253
- **glottorefname**: Quezon
- **altname**: Quezon Tagalog
- **ethnicity**: Tagalog people
- **imagecaption**: The term "Tayabasin" written in Baybayin script with horizontal virama (_"pangaltas_")