Outgroup Marriage, the Demise of Native Language and Cultural Differentiation: The Case of Ifugao Migrants in Northern Philippines

Samuel B. Damayon^1, , Pearl Via S. Coballes² and Luz L. Ildefonso¹

¹Social Sciences and Philosophy Department, Saint Mary’s University, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

²Psychology, Human Services and Social Work Department, Saint Mary’s University, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

Cite this paper:
Samuel B. Damayon, Pearl Via S. Coballes and Luz L. Ildefonso. Outgroup Marriage, the Demise of Native Language and Cultural Differentiation: The Case of Ifugao Migrants in Northern Philippines. World Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2022; 8(1):14-25. doi: 10.12691/wjssh-8-1-3

Abstract

Many of us aim for the preservation of cultures but noticeably one’s native language and cultural orientation are constantly changing. These changes manifest the dynamism of culture. As language is the source of meaning and defines our consciousness – language demise leads to cultural differentiation. Indigenous people’s migration leads to outgroup/mixed marriages that result to cultural differentiation. The Ifugao (Tuwali) migrants’ outgroup/mixed marriages affects the use of their language, including their belief systems, dominant customs, and traditions. This study showed that across all areas, outgroup/mixed marriages led indigenous children to adapt the culture of the place of migration which resulted in a failing preference for their indigenous practices including the use of their native language. Aside from outgroup/mixed marriages that nurture language and cultural differentiation, the perceived impracticality of their tradition, lack of generational transmission of cultural beliefs, illogical and not based on Christian belief, and the non-practice of the indigenous traditions were seen as causes of cultural differentiation and even to the extent of losing their native language.

Keywords:
demise of language outgroup marriages mixed marriages cultural differentiation

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