Gaddang

/ɡæˈdæŋ/ noun

Definition

An Austroasiatic language spoken by a small ethnic group in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.

Etymology

The word comes from the Gaddang people's self-designation; it belongs to the Northern Luzon branch of Austroasiatic languages, showing linguistic connections to Southeast Asian language families.

Kelly Says

Gaddang is one of the most critically endangered languages in the Philippines with fewer than 3,000 speakers, and it holds clues to ancient human migration patterns from Southeast Asia northward.

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