Isnag (also called ''Isneg'' a term used by the Ilocanos) is a language spoken by around 50,101 Isnag people of Apayao Province in the

Cordillera Administrative Region The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR; ; ), also known as the Cordillera Region and Cordillera (), is an Regions of the Philippines, administrative region in the Philippines, situated within the island of Luzon. It is the only Landlocked co ...

in the northern

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, who are also found in parts of

Cagayan Cagayan ( ), officially the Province of Cagayan (; ; ; isnag language, Isnag: ''Provinsia nga Cagayan''; ivatan language, Ivatan: ''Provinsiya nu Cagayan''; ; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Cag ...

and

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte (), officially the Province of Ilocos Norte (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region. It is located in the northwest corner of Luzon island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to t ...

. Their populations are distributed across the municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Pudtol,

Flora Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...

Luna Luna commonly refers to: * Earth's Moon, named "Luna" in Latin, Spanish and other languages * Luna (goddess) In Sabine and ancient Roman religion and myth, Luna is the divine embodiment of the Moon (Latin ''Lūna'' ). She is often presented as t ...

, Santa Marcela, and Conner in Apayao; the eastern part of Ilocos Norte, specifically Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, Vintar, Marcos, Dingras, Solsona,

Bangui Bangui (; or Bangî in Sango language, Sango, formerly written Bangi in English) is the Capital (political), capital and List of cities in the Central African Republic, largest city of the Central African Republic. It was established as a Fren ...

, and Pagudpud; the northwestern part of Cagayan, particularly Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez Mira, and

Pamplona Pamplona (; ), historically also known as Pampeluna in English, is the capital city of the Navarre, Chartered Community of Navarre, in Spain. Lying at near above sea level, the city (and the wider Cuenca de Pamplona) is located on the flood pl ...

; and the northern part of Abra, particularly Tineg. Around 85% of Isnag are capable of reading the Isnag language. Many Isnag speakers also speak Ilocano.

Dialects

Ethnologue ''Ethnologue: Languages of the World'' is an annual reference publication in print and online that provides statistics and other information on the living languages of the world. It is the world's most comprehensive catalogue of languages. It w ...

'' lists the following dialects of Isnag. Imandaya : Predominantly found in Calanasan, Apayao; Carasi, Ilocos Norte; Solsona, Ilocos Norte; Barangay Cacafean, Marcos, Ilocos Norte; Barangay San Marcelino, Dingras, Ilocos Norte; Barangay Marag in Luna, Apayao; Barangay Kittag in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan; and Barangay Masi in Pamplona, Cagayan. Imallod: Populations are spread across Kabugao, Pudtol, Flora, Santa Marcela, and Luna in Apayao. Itawit: A sub-tribe of the Isnag people, populations are distributed in the municipality of Pudtol, Apayao and some parts of Flora, Apayao. Ingahan: A sub-tribe of the Isnag people, primarily inhabiting areas along the Nagan River in Pudtol, Apayao. Isnag (Isneg) of Katablangan, Conner: Often spelled as Isneg due to the tribe's pronunciation, found primarily in Conner, Apayao part. Iyapayao (Ehapayao/Yapayao): Populations are distributed in Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, as well as Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan. Imalawa: An Isnag subtribe located in the outskirts of Barangay Canaam and Sitio Dasar, Barangay Isic-isic, Vintar, Ilocos Norte. The Malawa live in the village of Isic Isic, a peaceful and charming area in the Surong Valley, known for its natural beauty and friendly inhabitants.

Sounds

Isnag is one of the Philippine languages that do not exhibit - allophony.

Language sample

*Isnag: **Approximate English translation: Friends, let us love each other, because love comes from God. – 1 John 4:7 *Isnag: **Approximate English Translation: Praise God, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:3

Historical sound changes

The Proto-Malayo-Polynesian schwa ə has merged to /a/ such as > ('roof') similar to Kapampangan, in Tagalog and in Visayan.

References

External links

Listen to a sample of Adasen from Global Recordings Network
{{Philippine languages Cagayan Valley languages Languages of Apayao Languages of Abra (province)