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CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Scope

Language is a way of communication and it is divided into two components, the verbal

and non-verbal (Windle and Warren). Because of this it is considered as a very complex system

of communication since it contains verbal or speaking and non-verbal (written or gestures) which

are capable of changing and developing from time to time. Today, we’ve been exposed to

different emergence of language and one of those is the “Conyo Language”. According to

Garvida (2012), the Philippine linguistic and cultural phenomenon “coño talk” is a type of

discourse that purportedly identifies and differentiates people of ‘power’ from the common

masses. Conyo language is brought by a meeting of cultures in the intercultural sphere results in

irreversible intracultural changes (Mey 2007, p.171 as cited by Garvida) that may influence the

speakers to use or make a hybrid of language. However, according to Chomsky (1980), that

language is a unique property of the human mind that is represented neurologically in a separate

cognitive module therefore, it is the mind that made language unique that has a capacity to form

another language or what they called hybrid of language. For Southworth and Daswani (2007 as

cited by Garvida), this phenomenon of Conyo language is commonly observed among

multilinguals who usually “develop functions of linguistic heterogeneity which go beyond the

expressive possibilities available in a single code”. Multilingualism, is the ability of an

individual or a group of people to speak fluently and understand several languages (Serapio &

Baladjay, 2015). In short, Conyo is brought by the influenced of a person’s languages that can be

multilingual who speak different language that tends to combine each language in a single

sentence or thought.
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According to Odon (2014), Conyo does not only mean as the combination of the Tagalog

and English language but it evolves from its Spanish meaning into the Manila version that means

“rich kids” .There are two probable cause of this evolution: first is the exposure of the person in

English language in the family and they are forbidden to talk in Tagalog that is why they can

commit failures in the consistency of language used. Second, they might be exposed to the

fractured English and Tagalog of the people around them that they communicate. Conyo

existence is also brought by the social classes. Reyes (2015) emphasizes that there are two types

of Conyo, the “true” Conyo and the “fake” and this is like distinguishing the true elite and those

attempting to become elite.

The Statistics Variable, Regional Quarterly Publication of the National Census &

Statistics Office-Davao City estimates that 75 percent of Davao City’s population use Cebuano

as their mother tongue and tends to mix the Tagalog and English in the form of Conyo (Tuclaud,

2014).

The emergence of Conyo users are evidently increasing and the researches as well. This

paper will lead you to the acquisition of new information and the expansion of the existing

knowledge as this research provides a research for what Conyo really is.
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Rationale of the Study

Language used in communication plays a big part in engaging and developing

conversations. It varies from time to time and passes from generation to generation. It evolves

and people develop it to have a meaningful means of communication. Some people use English

as their mother tongue and others use it as their second language. However, as the innovation of

technology following the fads of fashion addiction and to belong to the societies who use

multilingual in communication, many people develop the so called “Conyo language”.

The study was made by a Master of Arts in Education major in English Language

Teaching student who is currently enrolled taking up Educ 203 (Methods of Research in

Education) subject in Holy Cross of Davao College Graduate school. The study aims to reveal

the potent factors of the emergence of Conyo language interlocutors in Philippine Academy of

Sakya-Davao, Inc. Moreover, the study is made to let the users of the language be aware of the

present conditions of the way they communicate and to give them a chance to gage themselves to

the factors of its emergence.

This study will also be a significant endeavor to students who adapt and develop Conyo

language and will be helpful to both students and those people who are exposed with this

language. It is a paradigm to interpret where this language came from, how does it affect

communication, and how it differs to swardspeak or gay lingo.

The beneficiaries of this study will be the Junior High School students of Philippine

Academy of Sakya-Davao,Inc. Since all students are exposed to different languages, it will be a

help for the students involve to be aware, to improve their language used in communication and
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to serve as a bridge if there is a relationship of the emergence of Conyo language speakers to

non- Conyo language speakers. It will also view if there is a significant linked between 1st year

college students speakers from higher year levels and significant connection between Conyo

language interlocutors and the so called “social climbing. It will also serve as a future reference

for the researchers on the subject of the sentence structures, grammar, and understanding

language in communication.

This will also be beneficial to the students of Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao,Inc.

who come from different Grade levels. As this paper will be published and displayed in the

school library, many students will have a chance to get access on this study and be aware of the

foundations of Conyo, and other matters concerning it.

Other beneficiaries of this study are Conyo interlocutors themselves. Since they are the

subject that this study is revolving around, it is best that they must be furnished with a copy of

this study, if not the whole paper, then at least the results and discussion parts of this. This is to

help them evaluate themselves if or not the factors stated in this paper were also true to them.

The teachers and other personnel of Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao,Inc.will also be

one of the beneficiaries of the study. The institution will be given a copy of the study. An access

to this study shall help these teaching personnel become more patient to their work and more

interested to their craft because the study will make them understand the variety and differences

of the students.

Finally, this study will become beneficial to the whole community since Conyo language

interlocutors are present in different parts of the society. It also has a tendency to distinguish

social classes, therefore, a necessity for all sectors and members of the society.
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With all these beneficiaries, the researcher declares the auxiliary purposes of the study.

Aside from the aforementioned general purposes, the study aims to make the community a better

place to live in. one of the philosophies that the researchers hold while conducting the activity is

that Mutual Understanding or Mutual Intelligibility is the key to making every place on Earth a

better one. If we understand the factors affecting the emergence of Conyo language interlocutors,

we can understand them, and understand the conditions they are into. Through this, we become

aware with the problems present and be able to correct them if possible. After all, researches are

done to answer a quest or to solve a problem.

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Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this study is to determine the factors affecting the emergence of

Conyo language interlocutors among Junior High School students of Philippine Academy of

Sakya-Davao, Inc. SY 2015-2016. It further sought to answer the following sub-problems:

1. What is conyo?

a. As a person

b. As a language

c. As a culture

2. What are the factors affecting the emergence of Conyo according to the following areas?

a. Socio-economic

b. Family background

c. Language proficiency

3. Is the emergence of Conyo interlocutors affect a Conyo interlocutor’s

a. Education

b. Behavior

c. Lifestyle

4. Is there a significant relationship between the Conyo interlocutor’s aspects and the

emergence of Conyo?
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Statement of Hypothesis

The researcher has come up with the following guess from the possible responses of the

respondents:

HO: There is no significant relationship between the Conyo interlocutors’ aspects and the factors

affecting the emergence of Conyo.

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Review of the Related Literature and Studies

The following paragraphs will present various references on the origin of “Conyo”, it its

definition according to different language experts, and the rules and structure of the said

language.

Related Literature

Postmodernism

It tends to focus on deconstruction. It also discussed how vague and distorted truth can be

especially when dealing with abstract subjects such as culture. Postmodernism talks about the

diversion of culture from a once dominant one, which was considered as the norm, to another.

Behind the Conyo Culture

In a blog or commentaryposted by Militar & Sierras (2015), Conyo is a term which can

be used to describe a person, their language, or even the way they act or dress. As a language,

some describe it as a form of Taglish, Taglish spoken in a “maarte” way, or sometimes just

speaking in Filipino with a heavy foreign accent.

A group and organized sector of students of De La Salle University called The Menagerie

took it a step further by talking to Dr. Ariane Macalinga Borlongan, a professor who teachers

World Englishes and English Linguistics in Tokya, Japan, and who also happens to be

researching on Conyo.

“Those who have searched for the meaning of the word Conyo may have come across the

Spanish word Coño, which refers to the female gentalia.” As pointed out by Dr. Borlongan, it

can also be used as an interjection, much like the English word “fuck.” Evidently, this original

meaning is very from and much more offensive than the current Filipino meaning of the word.
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According to Dr. Borlongan, it is unclear when exactly Conyo English emerged, though

he cited Br. Andrew Gonzalez’ idea that Philippine English started sometime during the

American occupation, when Filipino teachers were starting to take place of American teachers.

From this, he hypothesized that Conyo English could have evolved from the Philippine English

sometime during the 1940s to 1950s when English had become everyone’s second language.

Despite having unclear origins at no specific point in history, the term Conyo has since set its

foundation in contemporary Filipino language, and it continues to be used by the youth today.

Conyomandments

In a post by Militar & Sierras (2015) in The Menagerie:

“When students were asked about how they would define conyo, many of them seemed to

have a common idea that it is a manner of speaking, but also a particular set of characteristics.

Frequently given descriptions of Conyo person involved having expensive belongings like

designer clothes, being conscious about their social status, being born into a rich family, and

most of all, being more fluent in English than the average Filipino.

Basically, the term Conyo is aimed towards the youth of the upper class, or, at least, those

who want to be perceived as belonging to this social class. Because of this, Dr. Borlongan

describes Conyo English as a sociologist, a specific language used by a social group.

Just like any other kind of language, dialect, or sociolect, the Filipino’s Conyo English

may still continue to evolve through time. “It is always possible to develop new words, new

sociolects, new dialects, new languages, - that is normal process in language evolution,” dr.

Borlongan explained. Therefore, it is quite possible the Conyo English we know today may just

be the initial foundation of what is to become a full-fledged language in the future.

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Conyomandments

Conyomandments are well detailed, highly accurate, and surprisingly intelligent. The

rules include terms such as “pandiwa” and “pang-uri”, basic but essential terms that we learn in

early Filipino classes.

Conyo has also it’s own rules which Conyo speakers usually follows. These terms in

conyomandments such as the use of “pandiwa” (which refers to verb) and “pang-uri” (which

refers to adjectives) are also parts of speech but it has different rules that needs to follow.

Conyospeak

It is often formed by a phrase combining the English verb ‘make’ with the base form of a

Tagalog verb. This phrase replaces perfectly acceptable English equivalents, and it is at this the

point that the ‘crime’ is committed: Evidently, the result is a new lingo that is handicapped in

both straight Tagalog and straight English.

Conyospeak is the result of a new language that is a combination of both straight Tagalog

and straight English. It is often formed by a phrase combining the English verb ‘make’ with the

base form of a Tagalog verb. This phrase replaces perfectly acceptable English equivalents, and

it is at this the point that the ‘crime’.

The metamorphosis of Filipino as National Language

These are: moderate Taglish (which some quarters call either Engalog or Filinglish) and

“conotic” Taglish. Moderate Taglish is the simple, slapdash combination of English and Tagalog

in the same sentence, while the latter is its more wicked sister.
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Related Studies

Conyo Talk

Garvida (2012) made a studyon Conyo. The study was entitled, “Conyo Talk: The

Affirmation of Hybrid Identity and Power in Contemporary Philippine Discourse.” One of her

notable discussions is that in the Philippine context, Conyo has no natural connection with the

signified, that is, the object is understood to represent originally.

The antagonism manifested towards ‘Conyo’ speakers is understandable. Its speakers have

developed a list of vocabulary and sentence structures that are incomprehensible, even

outrageous, for those who do not speak in this manner, but serve the speakers’ communicative

purposes and intentions. To identify and differentiate Taglish from ‘Conyo’ talk, the suffixes to

form the plural in English or Spanish -s/-es are added to Tagalog nouns2 (“yayas” - nannies), and

the English verb make is added to vernacular verbs (“make pila”- to queue). ‘Conyo’ speakers

also use excessively, as if on a whim, “so”, “like”, “noh” (no?), “di ba” (Isn’t it?), “eh”, “you

know” as well as dude, “tsong” (from Spanish tío) or “pare” (from Spanish compadre). In

addition, ‘Conyo’ speakers translate needlessly some words to give the impression of knowing

different languages, for example, “masa people”. Lastly, like in chat rooms and text messages,

abbreviations and emoticons are commonly used to describe what the speakers feel.

‘Conyo’ talk is a cultural identification where its speakers can be described as having a profound

cultural ambivalence. ‘Conyo’ speakers use it not spontaneously, like in situations of code

switching, but intentionally to demarcate their own space. This type of discourse is clearly used

as a strategy to give the impression of being privileged socially and economically. The switching

between languages clearly conveys the multiple and complementary identities its speakers create
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for themselves. They have created a ‘social community’ taking on the role of stereotype images

of Spaniards or Americans that exist in the Philippine popular imagination adding “local color”

to their everyday discourse. They communicate with other ‘Conyo’ speakers directly, without the

need of explanations. Discussions on why ‘Conyo’ talk exists have gone beyond face-to-face

everyday conversation. ‘Conyo’ speakers have created an effective space through the help of

Internet where anyone from anywhere can join in. And “space is fundamental in any form of

power of communal life” (Foucault 2000).

This study of Garvida reflects the contradictory and shifting positions and boundaries of

some Filipinos due to lack of confidence in their language fluency, social and economic status.

Theories and Concepts

Queer and Feminist Theory

It promulgates equal rights of all genders, whether it concerns women, men, gays and

lesbians. Somehow this also promulgates equal rights for all, in general, all citizens. So far, all

which the Conyo society has ever received from the society are negative and humiliating

comments. Queer and Feminist theory can perhaps make society understands or sort of be more

accepting on this new cultural emergence, just as it was able to make society accept the presence

of the LGBT community.

Nowadays, people seek and fight for their freedom towards their gender identity. This

theory represents the equal rights of the people through the use of the language either women,

men, lesbian, gays and transgenders. Although they speak in a natural way, gay lingo and of

course in a Conyo sense, they are still as normal people. Some may give their negative comments

to what they are using the kind of language they are comfortable with.
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Social Conflict Theory

It dictates that English is a language of a higher class-“the language of the learned.”

Whoever speaks English can be automatically dismissed as wealthy, well-educated, or lofty

status.

This theory implies that people who are fluent in English are those in an elite society

because it varies from people who don’t know about the English language. Therefore they will

not be part of the elite society if they do not speak fluent in English.

Language Acquisition

It requires meaningful interactions in the target language-natural communication- in

which speakers are concerned not with the form of their utterances but with the messages they

are conveying and understanding.

Natural Order Hypothesis

It is based on research findings (Dulay & Burt, 1974; Fathman, 1975; Makino, 1980 cited

in Krashen, 1987) which suggested that the acquisition of grammatical structures follows a

‘natural order’ which is predictable. For given language, some grammatical structures tend to be

acquired early while others late. This order seemed to be independent of the learners’ age, L1

background, conditions of exposure, and although the agreement between individual acquirers

was not always 100% in the studies, there were statistically significant similarities that reinforced

the existence of a Natural Order of language acquisition.

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Natural order according to the research findings of Dulay & Burt, 1974; Fathman, 1975;

Makino, 1980 cited in Krashen, 1987 that the order of the language is independent of the

learners’ age and the acquisition of language follows a natural order which is predictable.

Ethnomethodology

It is an approach originally proposed by Garfinkel in his work Studies in

Ethnomethodology (1967), analyzes language from its user’s point of view. He argues that

individuals in any type of discourse relate words with the images they may present, and if

clarification is needed, they negotiate meaning using synonyms or metaphors. It is through these

practical and situated actions that individuals create and maintain social order.

Ethnomethodology suggested by Garfinkel in 1967 contends that any type of discourse

relates words from the user’s point of view and they negotiate meaning using synonyms or

metaphors.
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Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

The theoretical/conceptual framework designs the direction and the focus of the study. In

this part, the researchers present the significant concepts about the definition Conyo and the

factors affecting the emergence of Conyo interlocutors.

The framework exemplifies the important concepts of the study. The independent

variable is the Conyo itself divided Conyo as a person, language, and culture. On the other hand,

the dependent variables on the framwework are the factors that affect the emergence of Conyo

language interlocutor.

In this study, the term “interlocutors” refers to persons or the speakers that are involved

in a conversation. Conyo interlocutors will be the subject of this study.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

CONYO FACTORS
a. As a Person a. Socio-economic
b. As a Language b. Family Background
c. As a Culture c. Language Proficiency

Conyo Interlocutors’
Aspects

a. Education
b. Behavior
c. Lifestyle

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

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Chapter 2

Method

This chapter presents the design used in the research, the respondents, environment,

instruments, and how data are gathered and analyzed.

Research Design

This study entitled “Factors Affecting the Emergence of Conyo Language Interlocutors Among

Junior High School Students of Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc.” is a descriptive

correlation that attempts to filter out external factors regarding the increasing growth of

interlocutors that uses Conyo language. Aliaga and Gunderson (2000) describe that Quantitative

research is “Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analyzed using

mathematically based methods (in particular statistics)”. This study wishes to depict the factors

and the status – the level of speaking Conyo – in awareness and perception of the students

regarding the using of Conyo language.

The research would utilize both descriptive and survey research method in determining

the factors of speaking Conyo language towards the increasing growth of Conyo interlocutors.

Descriptive research method describes what exists and may help to uncover new facts and

meaning. The purpose of descriptive research is to observe, describe, and document aspects of a

situation as it naturally occurs (Polit & Hungler 1999). This involves the collection of data that

will provide an account or description of individuals, groups or situations. The two most

common types of descriptive research tools are survey questionnaires and observation. Survey

method research, on the other hand, according to Polit and Hungler (1999) is used to obtain

information from groups of people (i.e. populations). The information that is obtained may be
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concerned with the prevalence, the distribution, and/or the interrelationships between variables

within these groups. Survey method tools include personal interviews, telephone interviews and

questionnaires.

Type of Data Respondents: Tools: Techniques for

Gathered: Data Analysis:
Junior High Survey
Quantitative School Questionnaire Mean and
Output
Data Students of Pearson, r
Philippine
Academy of
Sakya-
Davao,Inc.
Figure 2. Research Flow

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study were all from the Junior High School Students of Philippine

Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc. Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc. (PASDI) is a Buddhist

educational institution founded by Rev. Kwong Fan in 1994. Students coming from this

institution commonly used the Conyo language in their everyday conversation. By this, the

researcher came up to conduct the research for all Junior High School Students of Philippine

Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc. to know the influences and factors that made them used the

language.

Research Environment

The research was conducted within Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc.,

specifically all Junior High School students. This private school was chosen by the researcher

since most of the conyo language interlocutors came from the said institution. Philippine

Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc. (PASDI) is a Buddhist educational institution that offers basic
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education. The researcher chose to conduct the research in High School Level education located

at the back part of the Longhua Temple, Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City.

Research Instrument

The main instruments used in gathering the data needed for the study is a survey

questionnaire constructed by the researchers. The questionnaire utilizes 3 sets with 15 questions,

each gathering information about the “Factors Affecting the Emergence of Conyo Language

Interlocutors Among Junior High School Students of Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc.”

The research instrument was validated by Mr. Richie Sermon, Mr. Arnold Masong, and Ms.

Cupidlyn Banoyo.

Data Gathering Procedures

Before the survey questionnaire was distributed, the researcher has sought the permission

and approval of the class advisers and subject teachers of the High School Department. After the

approval, the researcher personally administered the questionnaires and the data collected were

computed, analyzed and interpreted in the process of presenting the data.

Data Analysis

The data gathered were analyzed by getting the mean of each variable for questionnaire 1

and 2. While on the otherhand, questionnaire 3 was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment

Correlation or Pearson R (PPMC) which shows the relationship between two sets of data. The

two sets of data compared were the variable of the emergence of Conyo and the variables of

Conyo language interlocutors. The data shall be interpreted using 5 scale on the Factors

Affecting the Emergence of Conyo Language Interlocutors Among Junior High School Students

of Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao Inc.

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Range of
Scale Description Interpretation
Mean
Strongly The respondent strongly agrees with the given
5 4.50-5.49
Agree statement. 3
4 3.50-4.49 Agree The respondent agrees with the given statement.
Slightly The respondent slightly agrees with the given
3 2.50-3.49
Agree statement.
2 1.50-2.49 Disagree The respondent disagrees with the given statement.
Strongly The respondent strongly disagrees with the given
1 1.00-1.49
Disagree statement.