Ilocano at its best

Agoo, La Union
August 23, 2013

Ilocano at its Best

Ilocano is one of the Filipino languages largely spoken around our archipelago. With the outflow of OFWs abroad, Ilocano is also seeping into other foreign lands and to other cultures.

An Ilocano word, “gaga” which means “crazy, silly” is in the English dictionary but its etymology says it comes from French’s “senile, foolish” or “meaningless bubblings”. Can we therefore say we had long ago connections with the French?

“The medium is the message,” according to Marshall Mcluhan, a media analyst. He explains what you say or your medium is the message itself.

“Adda maysa nga saritak.” (I have one word.) This is one sentence we often hear from our elders. Instead of saying, “Ikarik” (I promise.),” They say, “I have one word.” An Ilocano is so firm, he defines his actions with one word – "maysa nga sarita".

Yet “sarita” means so many words like a poem, an essay, a composition. All these are called “sarita”.

“Plastic” people are called “aginkukuna” (roughly, “telling something not the truth”" So really, what an Ilocano says is very important to him.

Perhaps Ilocanos are among the most respectful people in the world. They respect their “manongs” and “manangs” (elder brothers and sisters). They respect, too, those younger than them with “ading” (younger brothers and sisters). In other languages, like Tagalog, there is no “ading” and so with English. It’s just that “manong” and “manang” are now used to address the man in the street elsewhere especially in Manila.

Ilocanos though, like Koreans, address the friends of their parents “uncle” and “auntie”.

While the English and the Americans have their general use of relations like in-laws, referring to a father, sister, etc., the Ilocanos are very specific – abalayan (parents of a couple), katugangan (parent of a married spouse), aberat (sibling of a spouse).

A groom “nobyo” and a bride “nobya” are the ones being wedded. But the Ilocanos also call the engaged, and the boyfriends/girlfriends “nobyo” and “nobya”. A man usually introduces his girlfriend as, “gayyem ko”, a girl of her boyfriend as “gayyem ko”, also.

This means, an Ilocano does not discriminate a gender – male or female, in terms of friendship. He also doesn’t have an “m u” (with mutual understanding relationship). “Asinno dayta? Agar-arem kenka?” This is often asked by elders to mean, “Is he your boyfriend, your admirer?” Ilocanos have long courtships, so the action word, “agar-arem” “courting”

 But do you notice that Ilocanos have great distinctions for their parents? They refer to their parents as “nanang” or “tatang” or other terms for mother and father. But they seldom use the words, “naggannak kaniak" (literally, those who gave birth to me) "dadakkel ko” (my elders). Therefore, for an Ilocano his mother and father have different and certain roles. Their children have certain expectations from them. Moreover, parents call their children, “ubbing ko”. Like in English, they are called that way even if they are already passed middle age.

On the otherhand, Ilocanos have difficulty in the measurement of things. “Adu pay iti bagas?” (Do we have more than enough rice?) The answer is usually, “Addu pay ngem bassiten.” (Much but small quantity.) Or, “Bassiten, ngem addu pay met.” (Small quantity but we still have.)

This vagueness is also present concerning directions. When one is asked for directions, he is answered with, “Addayu pay” (It’s far yet.)” or “Asidegen” (It’s near already.” When asked, “Where is a thing?”, an Ilocano says, “Adda laeng dita.” (It is just there.) Perhaps it is not vagueness but complacency that everything is just there. We get this attitude with our climate, only summer and rainy season – the sun shines in the morning and sets in the evening. It is there always.

But Ilocanos are frivolous with their flattery, especially concerning women. They have different terms for beautiful – napintas, nalibnos, napusaksak.

Love is the greatest force in the world, for God is love. But Ilocanos seldom say, “Ay-ayaten ka” (I love you) to a loved one, even to his mother. Yes, they say that in English or Tagalog – I love you, Mahal kita. They would rather praise someone to say they love them. “Nagsingpet ka, nagsayaat ka!” (You are good, kind.)

But Ilocanos, have so many endearments like “raem”. “Agraemak ken amak ken inak.” (I respect and love my father and my mother.) Raem means both love and respect. In speeches, they also use the word, “ingungutek” meaning “the one I love” like “ingungutek a kakailian” (my  beloved townmates). They refer to their guests, as “patpatgenmi nga bisita” (literally, the guest we honor.) Ilocano sentences usually have the source – I, we; and object – you, it, etc. So, they are generally in command of a situation. Like they say, “Agannad ka.” (You take care, and not take care only.). They prefer the phrase “Ay-ayatemi nga pagilian.” (The country we love.) rather than “Ti maay-ayat nga pagilian.” (beloved country.)

The way we express our gratitude perhaps is one of the most beautiful versions of “Thank you” in the world. We say, “Agyamanak” (Thank you.) But we also say “Dios iti agngina” (God will repay you.) from the heart!

Indeed, Ilocanos are a grateful people and they have inherent trust in the Lord.

Agyamanak, Apo! Dios iti agngina kadakayo amin nga nangbasa itoy saritak.