Ayta, Abellen

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A language of Philippines

ISO 639-3
abp
Alternate Names
Abenlen, Aburlen Negrito, Ayta Abellen Sambal
Population

3,000 (2008 SIL), decreasing. 45 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 5,000.

Location

Luzon, Tarlac Province, San Jose, Maamot; Station Juliana, Mayantoc, and Capas.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Philippine, Central Luzon, Sambalic
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 66% with Botolan Sambal [sbl], 49% with Sambal [xsb], 38%–44% with Ilocano [ilo], Pangasinan [pag], Filipino [fil], Pampangan [pam].

Language Use

In some remote areas, children still learn it first. Home, community, church. Mainly younger adults. Neutral attitudes. A few in remote areas are nearly monolingual, otherwise speakers generally acquire and use L2’s at home, community, or school, trying to negotiate multiple linguistic identities. Also use Botolan Sambal [sbl]. Used as L2 by Botolan Sambal [sbl], Ilocano [ilo].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 3%. Literacy rate in L2: 3%. Bible portions: 2006–2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ayta, Abellen
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.