Contemporary Ibaloi Ba’diw: Defining Conventions through Formalistic and Sociolinguistic Standpoints

Abstract

The study generally determined the literary conventions in contemporary Ibaloi ba’diw as a genre. It aimed to draw the figurative language and theme reflected in the ba’diw text; and, classify valuable insights contained by the select ba’diw pieces by occasion. It employed a qualitative approach to research specifically the text analysis method highlighting formalistic and sociolinguistic approaches in literary criticism. The pieces were found to be replete with the following figurative language: character, symbolism, connotation, repetition, personification, apostrophe, and family-name wording. Themes considered the occasion where these are chanted. Alongside these are valuable insights on “adivay” or social gathering, high regard for elders and the spirit of the dead, sacredness of marriage and family life, and the group’s daily activities. It is recommended that audio-visual documentation on the ba’diw may be designed purposely for information, persuasion, and entertainment; studies to determine the foreign influence on Ibaloi ba’diw in pursuit of discovering the Ibaloi poetics may be conducted; a center on Ibaloi language may be established; and, further research like ways of documenting oral literature, in general, may be further explored.

Keywords

• contemporary ibaloi ba’diw
• culture and language
• formalistic and sociolinguistic approach
• text analysis