Abstract
This study examines linguistic transition and related identity reconfigurations among the Kinabalianaon community in San Juan, Southern Leyte, where the indigenous Kinabalian language is gradually being displaced by Cebuano. Grounded in sociolinguistic frameworks, utilitarianism, and hegemonic theory, the research examines language as a central resource through which speakers negotiate identity, social positioning, and mobility within prevailing power relations. Employing an exploratory case study design, the study utilized in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants from the barangays of Sto. Niño and Agay-ay. This approach enabled a comparative analysis between individuals who have shifted toward Cebuano and those who continue to use Kinabalian in daily interactions. Findings indicate that while Kinabalian remains a salient marker of cultural heritage and local autonomy, its functional use is steadily declining due to institutional marginalization and the perceived prestige of Cebuano in formal domains such as education, governance, and commerce. Participants associated language shift with limited structural support for Kinabalian, the imperative of regional integration, and the pursuit of economic opportunities. The study emphasize the need for localized policy interventions and educational programs that protect linguistic diversity and strengthen minority language maintenance amid broader processes of linguistic homogenization. These insights offer practical implications for local policymakers, educators, and community members seeking to advance cultural empowerment and safeguard Kinabalianaon linguistic heritage within the Philippine sociopolitical context.
Keywords: Language, language Shift, language politics, identity, kinabalian, cabalianon
https://doi.org/10.65494/pinagpalapublishing.122
