Language, Cultural Identity, and Social Realities in Contemporary Yakan Songs from Basilan, Philippines: A Critical Discourse Analysis
Abstract
This study examines how contemporary Yakan songs from Basilan, Philippines, express cultural identity and represent the lived experiences of the Yakan, an Indigenous Muslim community. Using a descriptive-analytical design, the study transcribed the lyrics of ten selected songs and translated them into English. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was then used to examine the lyrics’ linguistic features and discursive practices and to interpret the social roles they portray.
The analysis identified figurative expressions, honorific forms, symbolism, vivid imagery, parallelism, and lexical borrowing from Arabic, Malay, and Filipino. These linguistic resources convey shared cultural values and everyday concerns while giving expression to gender relations, family responsibilities, and spiritual beliefs. The study highlights the role of contemporary Yakan songs in articulating cultural identity and transmitting accounts of social life in Basilan.
Keywords: Yakan songs, cultural identity, social realities, Critical Discourse Analysis, lexical borrowing, Basilan.
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References
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