Tboli
PrintA language of Philippines
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
“Tagabili” , T’boli, Tiboli
Population
95,300 (2000). 10,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 100,000 to 120,000.
Location
Southwest Mindanao, South Cotabato Province.
Language Maps
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Classification
Dialects
Central Tboli, Southern Tboli, Western Tboli.
Typology
VSO; articles, adjectives, numerals all before and after noun heads; question word in sentence-initial position; maximum number of affixes: 1 prefix, 1 suffix; word order distinguishes subject, object and direct objects, given and new information, topic and comment; affixes indicate case of noun phrase; passives; causatives; comparatives; CV, CVC, CCV, CCVC; nontonal
Language Use
Speak Tboli to each other freely in buses, surrounding towns, etc. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Ilongot [ilk].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Perhaps 50%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: Perhaps 50%–60%. Literacy program in previously unreached coastal mountain range. They operate their own government school. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2007.
Writing
Latin script.
Christian, traditional religion.