ENGLISH SEMANTIC LOANS IN FILIPINO FROM 1970S

by

ROSELLE ERICA R. OLAVARIO

In partial fulfillment

of requirements in

Linguistics 180

PROF. MARY ANN BACOLOD

March 2014

1.0 Introduction

Due to language diversity and contact to foreign countries, Filipinos are at the very least

bilingual. One phenomenon that can be observed and analyzed in the forms of Filipino usage of

grammar is Taglish. This is a form of code-switching or switching of codes between two

languages, a by-product of bilingualism. Bautista (2004) described in her study the common

cause of code-switching usage and the patterns of code-switching in her article „Tagalog-English

Code Switching as a Mode of Discourse’. Although not mentioned in Bautista‟s article, Smedley

(2006) analyzed code-switching patterns in Taglish using Muysken‟s Three Way Typology-

insertion, alternation, and congruent-lexicalization.

Meanwhile, semantic change happens to some English loanwords used in Filipino. As

defined by Backus and Tian (2013), semantic loans or loan translation happens by „taking a word

in the base language and extending its meaning so that it corresponds to that of a word in the

other language‟. The original meaning of the word is reproduced with another meaning, which

may be close or not close to the original meaning. This does not happen only from English to

Filipino, it also occurs in other languages. Loan translation also occurs from English to Chinese

and Old Chinese to Japanese. Porciuncula (2012) presented in her study the different semantic

loans used at present. This study, on the other hand, aims to identify how English semantic loans

started and how these words changed overtime. There are no existing studies and literature

regarding this and the researcher aims to give highlight to this wildly occurring phenomenon in

Filipino up to now. Also, the researcher aims to identify the type of semantic change that

happened to each semantic loan and the social and cultural analysis of semantic change that

happened to semantic loans.

2.0 Statement of the Problem and Objectives

The Researcher explored how English semantic loans were used on a specific context and

specific time. Specifically, the researcher answered these questions regarding the mentioned

main problem: (1) what are the English semantic or slang words created and used in 1970s? ; (2)

How are their use and meaning changed? ; and (3) What would be the social and cultural

motivation for the change(s)?

The research questions were accomplished through the following objectives: (1) Identifying

semantic loans or slang words created and used in 1970s; (2) Identifying their present meaning

and use; and (3) identifying the social and cultural motivation for the change(s).

3.0 Significance of the Study

This study contributes to the semantic understanding to changes of meaning of loanwords

in Filipino. As English, is considered one of the Philippine‟s national language along with

Filipino, a large number of words have been borrowed and changed meaning inside the Filipino

context. Study regarding about the meaning change of English loanwords in Filipino is very

minimal, if not non-existent. Most studies on semantic change of English loanwords are

described based only on how it changed from its original English meaning to its Filipino

meaning.

Additionally, this study not only describes their change in meaning, but also, describes

how the change was affected socially and culturally.

4.0 Scope and Delimitation

The study does not include all semantic loanwords used from the 1970s. The semantic

loans used are not categorized into specific context since they were picked from different songs

with pop-rock genre of music. Moreover, the researcher only focused on the sociolinguistic

aspect. In addition, the data elicited came from lyrics of songs from 1970s six (6) bands and one

(1) artist in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the age of the respondents of the survey does not exactly

tell the year of their usage.

5.0 Review of Related Literature (RRL)

The forming of Filipino slangs started after the rise of Pinoy music, a combination of rock,

folk, and ballad written in Filipino (Lockard, 1998). The lyrics were filled of slang Filipino terms

that appealed to the youth. It was an attempt to reflect on social realities combining nationalism

and the art of popular culture. Pinoy rock signifies political expressions of young Filipinos. The

most prominent singers of these time is Rico Puno, a college dropout specializing in Taglish

materials, Florante de Leon, and the Juan de la Cruz Band, composed of Joey Smith, Wally

Gonzales, and the „High Priest of Pinoy Rock‟ Mike Hanopol. Western rock greatly influenced

Pinoy music that it eventually leads to composition of more Taglish songs.

Particularly, according to Rodell (2001) „Ang Himig Natin’ performed by the Juan de la

Cruz band is the first ever Pinoy rock, where Pinoy is used as slang for Filipino. Other Pinoy

rockers include Sampaguita, and Mike Hanopol (after he left Juan de la Cruz Band). Along with

Pinoy rock in 1970s rose the group Hotdog, who used western pop with Filipino lyrics, which is

later called „Manila Sound‟ . The mixing of Tagalog and English or Taglish became popular in

Manila and other urban areas. In 1980s, Pinoy jazz became the „In‟ music, where Ryan

Cayabyab composed songs that became popular, such as „Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’ and

‘Tsismis’ .

Most linguists describe semantic change as a phenomenon that is hard to make a theory.

That is because semantic change depends on change in society and culture. Also, Linguists say

that the change between form and meaning is arbitrary, therefore many changes are possible. On

the other hand, the Inviting Inference Theory of Semantic Change (IITSC) by Traugott and

Dasher (As cited by Stevens, 2008) suggests a meaning that is cancellable or changeable

depending on the meaning the speaker wants to infer to the listener. This occurs through

metaphoric and metonymic processes, where the speaker invites inferences similar or slightly

associated to the meaning carried by the form used. These can almost successfully lead to

change- talk in such a way you are noticed and talk in such a way that you would not to use so

much energy.

Regarding language change, Landsbergen et. al. (2010) tried to identify tendencies of

semantic change by using a cultural evolutionary perspective. They used patterns such as

language of population caused by interactions between individuals, population-level process and

random drift. This reflects Keller‟s (as cited by Landsbergen et. al., 2010) idea of Invisible Hand

Theory, which states that group behavior results to individual behavior. Language change is,

therefore the unintended result of intention individual behavior. They use „maxims‟- speak in

such a way that you can successfully communicate and talk like others talk.

Meanwhile, the researcher was able to find the traditional types of semantic change that

served as guide to analyze the changes that happened to the semantic loans elicited from the

survey. O‟Grady (2005) described in his book Contemporary Linguistics the different kinds of

semantic change. Semantic broadening is the process of changing the meaning of the word to a

more general and inclusive one. The signifier is attributed to a more specific meaning, which is

something similar to the original form. Semantic narrowing refers to the type of change where,

unlike semantic broadening, the meaning of the original word becomes less inclusive or more

exclusive. Meanwhile, the signifier undergoes amelioration when its meaning becomes more

positive than its original form. The opposite of amelioration is pejoration, where the meaning

becomes more negative. The signifier‟s becomes less forceful when it undergoes weakening.

Signifier undergoes semantic shift when it loses its meaning and forms a new one, but the new

one is often related to the original. Lastly, the signifier can be affected by metaphor, in which the

characteristics of objects and actions are attributed to abstract words.

6.0 Methodology

6.1 Data Collection

6.1.1 Data Collection Sources

The researcher collected semantic loans from the lyrics of songs of six (6) Filipino bands

and one (1) artist, namely The Hotdog Band, Cinderella, Hagibis, Juan Dela Cruz, Kapatid, and

Sampaguita. The following are the songs included listed according to the artists: The Hotdog

Band- Beh, Buti Nga ; Cinderella- Sana’y Maging Steady Mo, and Ikaw ang Idol Ko; Hagibis-

Bintana, and Macho; Juan dela Cruz- No Touch; Kapatid- Hanggang Magdamag; Sampaguita‟s

Bonggahan and; Mike Hanopol‟s Jeproks.

6.1.2 Survey

In order to identify the changes in meaning and use of the identified semantic loans in

each song, the researcher conducted an online survey where the semantic loans are listed and

each respondent are asked to define each semantic loan according to their usage. The

respondents are divided according to four (4) age groups, mainly born on 1960s, 1970s, 1980s,

and 1990s. Each age group have five (5) respondents, summing up to a total of thirty (20)

respondents.

6.2 Data Analysis

The data from the respondents are divided according to the semantic loan. Each semantic

loan is given a table showing the difference of usage in each age group, the Standard English

definition based on online merriam-webster dictionary and the type of semantic change

according to O‟Grady. The results will also be compared according to its usage on the lyrics

where the data were extracted. All data will be socially and culturally analyzed according to the

data gathered and initially analyzed.

7.0 Results and Discussions

7.1 Type of Semantic Change in Each Semantic Loan

The following tables show the changes that happened to each semantic loan from the

usage of the 60s generation to 90s generation. The words in bold and uppercase letters are usages

that have been added to each semantic loan. Each of them is also identified with their Standard

English definition and with the type of semantic change they undergone.

7.1.1 Cheap1

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) OUT OF FASHION Pejoration

Low class

Low Cost/ Inexpensive

70s (44-35 years old) MABABAW/ SHALLOW Pejoration

Low class

Affordable/ cheap

80s (34-25 years old) KURIPOT/ STINGY Pejoration

KALADKARIN/ EASY-TO-GET

Inexpensive

Low quality

Poor

Low Level

90s (24-14 years old) OUT OF FASHION ‘BADUY’ Pejoration

PRIDELESS

Whore

Easy-to-Get

Affordable/ Cheap

Low Quality/ Low Class

In this table, it is shown that to those born on 60s the meaning of the loanword cheap

changed from describing the low value or price of things to describing fashion. The „low‟ value

was attributed to the fashion sense which indicates having „bad taste‟ on clothes. To those born

1 “At minimum expense; not costing a lot of money; of low quality, not worth a lot of money;

charging low prices” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheap

on 70s and 80s the attribute „low‟ is now added to the personality of people such as being

shallow, stingy, and easy-to-get:

(1) Porke type ka,type mo na din? Cheap mo naman!

(You like someone just because they like you? You‟re so cheap!)

In 90s cheap is attributed to having of bad fashion sense and having no pride:

(2) Ang cheap cheap mo naman manamit.

(You dress cheaply.)

In this, we can see that from the lyrics of Beh, Buti Nga (Appendix 1), the loanword

cheap semantically changed from English to Filipino by pejoration. From 60s to 90s, it has

changed to different meaning by pejoration.

7.1.2 Steady2

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic

Change

60s (54-45

years old)

IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE/

TOGETHER/ BOYFRIEND-GIRLFRIEND

semantic shift

Unmoving/ stand-by

70s (44-35

years old)

Mutual understanding/ long-term partners/ committed

relationship

No change

Firm/ unmoving

80s (34-25 TAMBAY ‘FROM ENGLISH WORD STAND-BY’ Pejoration

2 “Firm in position; not easily disturbed or upset; constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or

attachment.” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steady

years old) STABLE/ JUST RIGHT/ FINE

Calm/ Relaxed/

Still/ Unmoving/ Unchanging direction/

90s (24-15

years old)

Relaxed/ slow/ calm Weakening

Stable/ unwavering/ Constant

In this table, it is shown that from the definition of the loanword steady have changed by

semantic shift, or totally changing its meaning. Originally, it means unmoving or still and for

respondents born on 60s, it changed to „having a relationship with a person‟. This is also shown

in the 70s song Sana’y Maging Steady Mo (Appendix 2):

(3) Sana'y ako ang mapili mo, upang maging steady mo

(I wish I would be the one you‟ll choose as your steady)

It changed its meaning to killing some time or being still. And for respondents on 90s, the

concept of steady as having the meaning of being in a relationship and killing some time

weakened.

7.1.3 Jackpot3

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) WINNER Semantic broadening

Lucky

70s (44-35 years old) LUCK/ GOOD FORTUNE Metaphor

Winner

80s (34-25 years old) ACHIEVE EXPECTED RESULT Amelioration

Win something by luck

Ultimate prize

3“A usually large amount of money won in a game of chance; an impressive often unexpected

success or reward” 2014.In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot

90s (24-15 years old) EFFORTLESS ACHIEVEMENT Amelioration

AWESOME OUTCOME

Win

Lucky „Suwerte’

As we observe from the song Ikaw ang Idol Ko (Appendix 3), it shows that the meaning

of the loanword jackpot has changed into a form of adjective wherein it serves as an alternative

to the loanword lucky:

(4) Jackpot ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo

(My love for you is jackpot)

It is shown in the table that the respondents‟ born on 60s and 70s definition of jackpot has

been used as a metaphor giving a more abstract definition pertaining to luck and good fortune. In

80s and 90s, the word had undergone amelioration wherein the meaning became more favorable

resulting to „achieving expected result‟ and „effortless achievement‟.

(5) Naka-jackpot siya kay nanay, may dagdag ang allowance niya sa kaunting

pambobola.

(He got a jackpot from mom, she received an allowance by making her flatter a little.)

7.1.4 Dead4

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) HEAD-OVER-HEELS Semantic shift

Lifeless/ energy loss

70s (44-35 years old) Like very much/ so into someone No change

80s (34-25 years old) PATAY/ LAGOT/ BE OUT Semantic shift

4 “No longer alive or living; not able to feel or move; very tired” 2014.In Merriam-Webster.com.

Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead

Lifeless/ Power loss/ Energy loss

Having crush on someone

Hopeless

90s (24-15 years old) EMPTY BATTERY Semantic broadening

Lagot/ Patay/ Be out

Crazy In Love/ Attracted to Someone

By semantic shifting, the meaning of the loanword dead from having no life changed to

being „head-over-heals‟ for a person for the respondents born on 60s.

(6) Hinahanap ka na ni Mam Sofia! Dead ka na naman.

(Ma‟am Sofia is looking for you! You‟re dead again.)

And, for 90s respondents, to be dead broadened including devices losing its energy

source. Wherein, being dead has been attributed to losing power even to inanimate objects. The

semantic changes that the loanword dead undergone to from the respondents‟ 70s up to 90s

usage now were semantic shift and semantic broadening.

(7) Dead na phone ko.

(My phone is dead.)

7.1.5 Chicks5

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) BEAUTIFUL/ PRETTY/ SEXY Metaphor

Girls/ Young women

Young chicken

70s (44-35 years old) Beautiful/sexy/ pretty No change

Young chicken

5 “A baby bird; a woman or girl” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014,

from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chick

80s (34-25 years old) A youngster of chicken No change

Girls/ Lady

Sexy ladies/ Pretty Girls/ Beautiful Girls

90s (24-15 years old) Girls/ Young, Beautiful Girls No change

Pretty/ Sexy/ Hot

Young Chickens

On the other hand, the loanword chicks have not changed usage by the respondents born

from 80s to 90s, but has retained its original form from its first semantic change by the

respondents born from 70s. From its Standard English meaning „a young chicken or a girl‟ it has

changed its meaning to describe characteristics of a girl:

(8) Sobrang chicks naman nyan.

(She‟s such a chick.)

7.1.6 Iskor „Score6‟

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) FAVOR/ ADVANTAGE Semantic shift

GET A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING

70s (44-35 years old) STEAL A KISS Semantic shift

Overpower someone

Points

80s (34-25 years old) TIYEMPO/ TIMING Semantic shift

WIN SOMEONE’S FAVOR

90s (24-15 years old) HAD SEX WITH SOMEONE Semantic shift

CHANCING/ SEXUAL TOUCH

6 “The number of points, goals, run, etc., that each player or team has in a game or contest; the

number of points that someone gets for correct answers on a test, exam, etc.; a document

showing all the notes of a piece of music” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18,

2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/score

Impress someone/ Get a girl‟s heart

Was first to do something

Get something you want

Number of Points

From its Standard English definition, the loanword score undergone semantic shift by

changing its meaning to „a favor or advantage‟ and „getting a chance to do something‟. This

loanword has undergone total semantic changes by the respondents born on 60s up to

respondents born on 90s. The changes are seen from the sentences below from the respondents

born on 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s respectively:

(9) Uy nakaiskor ako ng regalo sa ninong ko nuong pasko.

(Hey, I was able to get a gift from my godfather last Christmas.)

(10) Naka iskor ako sa kanya kanina.

(I kissed her earlier.)

(11) Onga eh, naka-score nga ako ng goodbye hug bago ako umalis.

(Right, I scored a goodbye-hug before I left.)

(12) Uy bro, nakascore ako kay *insert name* kagabi.

(Hey bro, I scored from *insert name* last night.)

We can observe that the sentences merely has the same context if we do not know what

specifically what the speaker is talking about. The loanword has been used in different contexts

by respondents born from 60s to 90s. In sentence (9) the speaker used iskor to describe ability, in

sentence (10) iskor pertains „to kiss‟, in sentence (11) the speaker pertained to having the „right

timing‟ to hug another person, and in sentence (12) pertains to having „sex‟ with someone, as

defined by the respondent.

7.1.7 Arbor7

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic

Change

60s (54-45

years old)

BORROW Semantic shift

REQUEST TO OWN SOMETHING

Vine-holder

70s (44-35

years old)

Ask for something No change

80s (34-25

years old)

GET SOMETHING FOR FREE/ GET SOMEONE’S

POSSESSION FOR FREE

Semantic

broadening

Ask for something

90s (24-15

years old)

BORROW WITHOUT GIVING BACK Pejoration

Possession/ Claim someone‟s belonging as yours

Ask for Something

From its Standard English definition, the loanword arbor totally changed its meaning to

„borrowing‟ or „asking‟ for a thing. The 80s respondents‟ usage changed by semantic broadening,

wherein a person asks something for free without the other person asking for return. It had

undergone pejoration by putting a less positive perception to the word „borrowing without giving

back‟.

(13) Uy ang ganda ng relo mo, arbor na lang.

(Hey your watch looks nice, can I to have it?)

(14) In-arbor niya 'yung iPod ko, asa pa akong ibabalik niya 'yun.

(He asked for my iPod, I guess he‟s not going to bring it back.)

7.1.8 Happening8

7 “A shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines” 2014.

In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/arbor

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) CELEBRATION/ SPECIAL EVENT Semantic broadening

70s (44-35 years old) GIMMICK/ OUTING / TRIP Semantic broadening

Party/ event/ celebration

80s (34-25 years old) Going on/ Occurrence No change

Event/ Celebration/ Inuman

90s (24-15 years old) Occurrence/ Something up Semantic broadening

Event/ Unforgettable event

As for the loanword happening, it has undergone few semantic broadenings. It mainly

describes about an event, but it has changed meaning to „celebrations‟ until it became „trip‟.

(15) May happening yata sa kapitbahay, dami bisita.

(I think there‟s a party on my neighborhood, there are many visitors.)

(16) Ikaw ha puro happening ka na lang, di ka na nag aaral.

(You always go out and don‟t study anymore.)

Although happening is means only an event or occurrence in English, through time it has

been paired with leisure as a loanword in Filipino which makes its meaning change to something

pertaining to a celebration, or even a trip.

7.1.9 Sexy9

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic

8

“An event or occurrence; something that happens; an event or series of events” 2014.

In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/happening

9 “Sexually appealing, attractive, or exciting; having interest or appealing qualities” 2014.

In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/sexy

Change

60s (54-45 years

old)

THIN/ SLENDER/ SLIM Semantic broadening

Nice body/ Hot

Attractive

70s (44-35 years

old)

WEARS A DARING OUTFIT Semantic broadening

Nice body shape/ attractive body

80s (34-25 years

old)

NICE FACE Semantic broadening

GOOD DEED

Nice body/ Muscular body/ Visually attractive/

Perfect curve body

Thin, skinny body

90s (24-15 years

old)

Magandang katawan/ nice body No change

Thin

Daring „clothes‟

Attractive/ Appealing

Similarly, the loanword sexy has undergone semantic broadening. Its usage depended not

only on its original meaning but the preference of the users. In Standard English, sexy means

sexually appealing. But it has included preference on body built, outfit, facial feature, and

personality.

(17) Ang sexy naman ng damit mo.

(Your outfit is sexy.)

(18) Pag nag-iisip siya ng malalim, ewan ko ba pero ang sexy ng dating!

(When she thinks seriously, I don‟t know but, it‟s so sexy!)

As we can see, on sentence (17) the loanword sexy did not describe the 2nd

person, but the

outfit itself. On sentence (18) it does not pertain to the appearance of the subject, but to the

behavior of the subject.

7.1.10 Good Time10

10

“Pleasure; leisure time” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good-time

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) GET PRANKED Semantic shift

Party/ inuman/ fun event

70s (44-35 years old) Night out/ gimmick No change

Relaxing/ happy time

80s (34-25 years old) Leisure/ Relaxation/ Recreation No change

Tease/ Prank/ Play tricks

90s (24-15 years old) Happy times No change

Pinaglalaruan

Joke/ nangti-trip/ nanloloko/ prank

(19) Kaya join na lang kayo, let's all have a good time.

(So just join, let‟s all have a good time.)

(20) Huwag na kayo mang-good time dahil hindi na nakakatawa.

(Stop playing pranks, it‟s not funny anymore.)

The loanwords good-time, which usually go together to form the meaning „leisure time‟,

are also used to pertain to a prank or a tease in Filipino. From the song Bonggahan, in sentence

(19) its usage is still the same as its usage in Standard English. In sentence (20), it is shown that

it has undergone semantic shift and has retained its meaning throughout the 70s generation.

7.1.11 Jeproks11

„Project‟12

Age Group Definition/ Usage Given Type of Semantic Change

60s (54-45 years old) 70S HIPPIE Semantic shift

11

Jeproks replaced 1920s siga. “which can mean anything from hippie to mod to rebel to

flamboyant [youth]” (as cited by Rafael, 2014)

12

“A planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make

something new) and that usually requires a lot of time” 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com.

Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/project

TREND FOLLOWER

FASHION JERK

70s (44-35 years old) SPOILED Semantic shift

COOL

Fashionista

80s (34-25 years old) WEIRD/ UNIQUE Pejoration

UNSTOPPABLE

Punk/hip-hop/ hippie

90s (24-15 years old) Pormang astig/ unique No change

Madiskarte/ systematic

Baduy/ Weird fashion sense

Hippie

For the 60s generation, this derived term from the loanword project is used to describe a

hippie13

style of fashion, which can also be described as a trend follower or a fashion jerk. As it

was adapted by the 70s generation, it changes its usage as being „spoiled‟ as described to the

song Jeproks in 1970s:

(21) Laki sa layaw, laki sa layaw, jeproks.

(Pampered, pampered, jeproks.)

And, in 80s it gained a more negative meaning and can also pertain to being „weird or unique‟

and remained its „spoiled‟ concept. To some of those born in 90s, the term jeproks has been used

rarely and became unknown to some, but its meaning has remained the same.

7.2 Social and Cultural Analysis

13

“A usually young person who rejects established social customs (such as by dressing in an

unusual way or living in a commune) and who opposes violence and war.” 2014. In Merriam-

Webster.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/hippie

According to Dorjee (2007) “Society and culture in turn entails peoples‟ attitude, taste,

practice, custom, belief, peoples‟ way of life, and the way people organize themselves as a social

group.” As the societal environment lived on by Filipinos born on 60s to Filipinos born on 90s,

their concept of things have changed, so do the word they use, thus language change. Thus, the

word jeproks almost totally change its usage, if not unknown, to people born on 90s because the

70s youth rebellion was the source of the creation of the word. The concept of dead as having

empty batteries for the 90s generation is it‟s their in generation where the technology boomed.

Semantic loans can be passed from generation to generations but there is a guarantee that the

meaning will change.

Meanwhile, if we will analyze how this happen between individuals we can refer to the

Inviting Theory of Semantic Change (ITSC), which states that meaning can depend on what the

speaker intends to give. And with this, we can infer that interactions between individuals affect

the wide change of meaning. And, therefore, it rises up forming a social group, and eventually a

population. The spread of pop-rock music from the 1970s have helped spread the idea of

semantically changing the loanwords to show their own expression that may have not exist in

Filipino before or to indirectly talk about their rant to the government. And from that wide

spread from the 1970s, many other meanings arose from different individuals that may have

created different sociolects up to now.

8.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

Indeed, as presented above, it is evident that many of our semantic loans from the 1970s

have undergone semantic change.

There are semantic loans that have undergone different types of semantic change from

70s up to 90s. And, it will still continue to change through the usage of the next generations.

Semantic loans changed meaning, to the extent that their usage has been totally shifted.

Additionally, there is no exactly an exact explanation on how they undergo changes and create

different meanings. But, if we will infer to the ITSC and Invisible Hand Theory and to the fact

that the phenomenon of semantic change evidently started in 1970s, we can see that as the

generation changes, new society and culture is created. Along with this is the change of language,

thus a chain of semantic changes. Semantic change is really evident in Filipino, for the reason

that it is bilingual and many of their vocabularies came from English, which cannot be directly

translated to Filipino. In that way, they tend to create their new meanings to refer to different

circumstances which sometimes cannot be translated back to English.

The researcher recommends a further research and eliciting of English semantic loans in

Filipino. Also, this research can help a lot on the analysis of the present semantic loans. The

researcher also recommends a research more focused and on the social and cultural aspect of

semantic changes of English loanwords in Filipino. A more balanced set of data would help

improve understanding and confirm theories related to the topic.

References

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Education Review. Vol. 5, No. 2, p226-233. Education Research Institute, Philippines.

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Appendix

Sample Lyrics

(1) Beh, Buti Nga! – The Hotdog Band

Noon nililigawan pa kita, hindi mo ako pinapansin

Ang gusto mo'y taga La Salle, wala kang time sa akin

Ang sabi mo panga (how cheap naman! naku you're so baduy!)

Ang puso ko'y dinurog mo, ang puso ko'y dinurog mo, sinaktan at

binitin

(2) Sana‟y Maging Steady Mo- Cinderella

Paano ba ang lagay ko? namano ba ako o dehado

Sana'y ako ang mapili mo, upang maging steady mo

(3) Ikaw ang Idol Ko- Cinderella

Nang makilala kita

sure akong ikaw na

jackpot ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo

(4) Ikaw ang Idol Ko- Cinderella

Dapat malaman mo

dead ako sa iyo

surebol ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo

(5) Bintana- Hagibis

Ang bawat chick ay may bintana

Sa kanyang mga mata

Sa mata niyo makikita

Ang kanyang nadarama

Pag mata'y nanlilisik

Pihong siya'y mabagsik

Insaberang walang duda

Mag-ingat ka

(6) No Touch- Juan dela Cruz

Noon pa man ikaw na talaga

pangarap ko sa tuwi-tuwina

kailan kaya kita maiiskor

(7) kailan kaya kita maaarbor

(8) Hanggang Magdamag- Kapatid

Sa tingin ko sayo‟y ganadong-ganado ka na

Kasunod mo ako, pareho lang tayo

Sa tugtuging ito‟y magsama-sama tayo

Hanggang magdamag, happening tayo

(9) Hanggang Magdamag- Kapatid

Uh, sige

Meron pa

Sige, sexy mo

Igalaw mo pa

(10) Bonggahan- Sampaguita

Kaya join na lang kayo

Let's all have a good time

Kaya join na lang kayo

Let's all have a good time

(11) Jeproks- Mike Hanopol

Laki sa layaw, laki sa layaw, jeproks

Laki sa layaw, laki sa layaw, jeproks

Laki sa layaw, laki sa layaw, jeproks