Expressions and Metaphors Commonly Used in Filipino Tabloids

BATION, Patricia Lyn M. DUMAS, Glessy G.

Though the internet continues to be one of the most useful and convenient way of getting information, the newspaper is still undoubtedly indispensible. Newspaper is the physical persona of the internet; a person can hold it, feel it and smell it. It is also more concise than the internet, for the newspaper only brings relevant information that can be used every day, (Fa, 2012). In addition to the indispensability of newspaper amongst locality, newspaper has a great function of contributing factual information and smart entertainment. The believable functions of newspaper make it the core subject of this research.

Functions of a Newspaper A newspaper is composed of four basic functions. The first is to inform. Because of the information that a newspaper gives, people become aware of the reality and truth and are dispatched from ignorance. The next function is to interpret the news. With the help of editorial columns, a newspaper helps the audience to take a stand about the current issues. Aside from the two functions, a newspaper also provides service to the readers. Examples of this function are found on feature articles that provide needful tips and advice to people with different dilemmas. And finally, the fourth function is to entertain. A newspaper provides sections for comic strips, crossword puzzles and of course, the showbiz sections, where the lives of the readers favorite celebrities are exposed all of these were dedicated for giving joy to the people. These four functions showed a newspapers versatility in giving what its readers needs and wants.

Broadsheets versus Tabloids There are two types of newspaper and these are the broadsheet and the tabloid. The broadsheet is known for being bigger and more expensive than the tabloid. Since broadsheets cost higher, it became a status symbol of reading for rich people. Meanwhile, tabloids are being associated to working class who chooses to buy them over broadsheets, not only because it is cheaper in price but also it is smaller in size that it one can bring it along with convenience. Journalist Tony Rogers fortified, Many city dwellers prefer tabloids because they are easy to carry and read on the subway or bus, (2012). Beyond the size of broadsheets papers, they tend to employ a traditional approach to news that emphasizes in-depth coverage (Rogers, 2012). Since most of the people reading broadsheets are educated and affluent, they serve the more serious and intellectual touch of tone than tabloids does. It can also be assumed that the said tone was encouraged to use because it exploits more structures of explanation and widening of broad terms. On the other hand, tabloids which are typically comprised of information about heinous crimes and celebrity gossips manage to have a better place of use among commoners. Since working class reads newspaper by chance or for a purpose, tabloids generally use the tone of sensationalism and partiality, to put instant impact on the issues written. And because tabloids are limited to their paper size (11x17) than broadsheets (12x20), the use of language tends to be shorter and more casual.

Colloquialism in Tabloids Richard Nordquist defined colloquialism as the characteristic of writing that seeks the effect of informal spoken language as distinct from formal or literary English. Words like hiya, imma and yall are examples of colloquial words. The word colloquial has a Latin

definition that means conversation. Mark Twain uses colloquialism in his book Huckleberry Finn in order to catch the Southern appeal of his characters. People often misunderstood that colloquialism and slang are the same because they are both informal varieties of language. But in truth, slang is actually even less informal than colloquialism for it uses words that are too vulgar. Slang words are also used by smaller groups of people while colloquialism is used by a bigger geographic proportion making it a standard language. Colloquialism is evident in tabloids. Filipino colloquial words such as dedma and chorva are present even on some editorial columns. This is due to the stated fact above that the main audience of tabloids is the working class. And in order to heighten and maintain its appeal, it must contain articles that are being delivered in the most casual way. Using words that are familiar and widely used can help tabloid writers create connections between them and their readers. The readability of the colloquial style is also useful so that even the most uneducated person can understand it. Above all, using colloquial words can be seen as amusing and entertaining by a regular reader. And because the tabloid is sensationalized, the informality of colloquialism can help heighten the hype of even the most ordinary news.

Language Changes Various ancient philosophers like Heraclitus had stated that the whole universe undergo changes. Though the variables of the changes may be scientific and moral, it is important to note that none of the words elements can avoid change. This general flux is not limited to the physical and emotional aspect of mankind. It is also important to look on language as another aspect of humanity that may have gone through significant changes. As the German philosopher-

linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt noted in 1836: There can never be a movement of true standstill in language, just as little as in the ceaselessly faming thought of men. By nature it is a continuous process of development (Aitchison, 1981).

Metaphor: A Semantic Change Within the historical linguistic perspective, no one knows how and why language changes. However researches on semantics may have significant contributions in describing a particular language change like semantic changes, finding the types or kinds of semantic change and directing reasons and causes of the said semantic change. One of the influencing semantic changes is metaphor. This change perceived similarity between distinct objects or actions. As one word passed through this change, its concrete definition is taken to an abstract meaning. For instance, the concrete definition of the English word grasp may be concretely defined as the action of holding the target object. However if metaphoric change occurs, its definition would be to understand, which is clearly abstract, but still denote a literal similarity that is the ownership of the target object.

Metaphor in Filipino Tabloids Printing media in the Philippines is rich in both colloquial and academic terms. However broadsheet and tabloid differ in the terms of context cues used. Since the study would like to focus on the terms used in Philippine context, the researchers chose to gather significant data on Filipino tabloids. Tabloids, in Philippine market, are sold cheaper than broadsheets, and technically are being bought by the majority of people the mass. Unlike broadsheets, tabloids are easier to

understand because they use Filipino language as the medium in writing. Unlike broadsheets which commonly use the English context, Filipino tabloids have plenty terms which are more relatable because the words used are widely comprehensible in Philippine contexts.

Objectives of the Study Generally, the research wants to find some evidence of metaphoric changes in Filipino tabloids. Thus it is relevant to say that this study would aim to identify the commonly used terms in Filipino tabloids and determine their extended meanings. Although no one knows how and why language changes, it is essential to describe the changes and specifies the types or kinds of change that occurred in the terms identified. This study also aims to know if language progresses or not through the new usage of the terms found in tabloids.

Methodology In relevance to the study, it is essential to gather widely sold tabloids in the Philippine local market. Hence, the researchers collected six Filipino tabloids, namely Bandera, Bulgar, Philippine Star Ngayon, PM, Remate and Tiktik. The mentioned tabloids were divided into two six per person and were designated by the two researchers. The said tabloids underwent two separate profound readings and term identifications, and one extensive study of meaning recognition and semantic change analysis. The said method was used to find eligible terms that may have passed through significant semantic changes. The study use the grouping method by selecting the frequently used terms in the four sections of the six tabloids, which are the news or editorial section, showbiz new sections, eroticliterary section and sports section. The collected terms were classified and placed to their

respective groups as mentioned above and were analyzed as a group. To fully comprehend the semantic change the terms underwent, the terms were given their concrete and extended meanings. In this method of analysis, the researchers would be able to identify the type of change that occurred within the two existing definitions.

News/Editorial Section Discussion The first section that can be seen in a tabloid is the news section followed by the editorial section. Both sections have their own functions; the news section aims to inform while the editorial section intends to persuade. But nevertheless, both sections are known for being straight to the point and follows structure. The news follows the inverted pyramid structure wherein the most important is on the top while the least is at the bottom. Editorial follows the same; the news peg or the issue to be tackled is on the first line while the rest are all opinions. Both sections are structure governs and because of this, the terms that they often use are the same. That is the reason why the data accumulated on both sections were analyzed at the same time. Before is the table of the terms most commonly used in News/Editorial Section.
Expression/Term Lumobo Dictionary Meaning Came from the root word lobo, which means balloon. Came from the root word piyok, which means cracked voice Extended Meaning Used to pertain to an expanding problem, news or issue When an important person, who is involve in an issue, finally spoke after a long silence Example Lumobo ang balita ng pag-epal ni Trillianes sa problema sa Tsina. Pumiyok na ang asawa ni Paolo Contis tungkol sa kanilang paghihiwalay ng nasabing aktor.

Pumiyok

gusot

A crease in clothes

A problem or a conflict.

Inayos na ng dalawang pulitiko ang kanilang gusot. Lumutang na ang sangkot sa krimen sa pagpatay sa dalawang mag-ina

lumutang

To rise above the surface; to float

When an important part of an issue, whether if its a person or an evidence, finally came out and has been seen in public.

tumakbo/ takbo/ tatakbo

To run

Used when someone is going to run for candidacy on the elections To refer to a corrupt congressman

Tatakbo na ang anak ni Sen. Bong Revilla na si Jolo Revilla pagkacongressman.

tonggressman Came from two words. Tong means an Asian ganster. Congressman is a political position nalitson Came from the rootword litson that means roasted pig From the word katay that means to butcher

Halimaw ang tongressman na ito.

Used to pertain to the victims of a fire incident

kinatay

Refers to the victims of a murder incident

natodas/ todas

Done

When a criminal has been captured A thievery happened in a private property

nilooban

Came from the word looban that means ground plot

Dalawang katao ang nalitson nang buhay nang masunog ang bahay kahapon Kinatay kahapon ng isang mister ang kalaguyo ng kanyang misis. Natodas na ang pumatay sa mag-ina sa Quezon City kahapon Nilooban noong Miyerkule ang bahay ng sikat na modelo na si

Table 1. The terms frequently used in a news/editorial section, their dictionary meaning, contextual meaning and their example. Hyperbole is dominant to exaggerate the meaning of the context The use of hyperboles is dominant in news/editorial section. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that exaggerates the context of the expression. It can be seen in metaphors like kinatay, nalitson, pumiyok and natodas. These terms were used in order to exaggerate the incident and

mainly to get the readers attention. But the uses of these terms are relevant to the circumstance and to the meaning. Kinatay was used to pertain to a murder incident, particularly if the bodies of the victims were cut into pieces, not far from its dictionary meaning which is to butcher. Nalitson was the also use incidents like these especially used when the victims died from a fire, just like a roasted pig. These metaphors are not used on the narrative of the article but also on its headlines. Exaggeration of headlines often attracts curious readers. Aside from hyperboles, it is evident that semantic broadening, wherein the meaning of the term becomes more general. Words like kinatay and nalitson only pertains to butchering and roasting animals consequently. But they are now used as metaphors to describe murders of human beings.

Showbiz News Discussion Despite that showbiz news and news section are both categorized as informative news, the two sanctions in this study has been separated, because of a visible difference in the use of tone. The tone used in the news/editorial section of tabloids, even though it is mostly sensationalized, is serious and does not use much of the conversational style. The news section is also straight to the point and does not add unnecessary opinions about the issues that they deliver, unless if it is the editorial part. Unlike in showbiz news writing, columnists often add commentaries about the lives of the celebrities that they talk about. Aside from that, the showbiz section of tabloids uses the most of the colloquialism. Their tone is also known for being light, so that the effect of their articles is conversational as if telling someone a gossip personally.

Because of these differences, it fits for the two sections to be separated. To fully analyze the term used in showbiz news, here is the table of the data:

Tabloid Metaphors pinaglawayan/pinaglalawayan

Concrete Meaning Came from the root word, laway which means saliva; to salivate An Australian word that means pants or trousers

Extended Meaning Used to refer to a desirable person or an object.

Example Labis na pinaglalawayan ngayon ang aktor na si Alden Richards. Bakat na bakat ang daks ni Mikael Daez sa nakaraang Cosmo Bachelor show. Dedma ang drama ni Jennylyn Mercado ukol sa issue na siya ang third party sa hiwalayan nina Paolo contis at ng asawa nito.

daks

To refer to the male genitalia

dedma To ignore

alaga

A pet.

miron

gazer

A term used to refer to the client of a showbiz manger Used to refer to the supporter of a certain actor. An actor or an actress will leave or has left his or her homegrown TV network for the rival network. To refer to two TV shows from different networks who have the same time slot To refer to a news that hasnt been confirmed yet. A term used to pertain to two

Alaga na siya ngayon ni Popoy Cantivillo Agad na pinagtanggol ng kanyang mga miron si Bea Binene Tuluyan na ngang nag-nagover the bakod si Rafael Rosell. Abangan mamaya ang tapatan ng show ni Paolo Avelino at LJ Reyes. Matagal nang bulungbulungan ang relasyon ng dalawang actor. Noong 2008 pa nastart ma-link sina

over the bakod

(Literal meaning) Other side of a fence

tapatan

To stand in front

bulungbulungan

Murmurs

link/ nalilink

A connecting structure

personalities who have an unconfirmed relationship.

Robert Pattinson at Kristen Stewart.

Table 2. The terms frequently used in a showbiz news section, their dictionary meaning, contextual meaning and their example. Bilingualism and semantic broadening affected the change As shown in the table above, showbiz news terms mostly came from foreign language. Daks is an Australian word for a mans trousers that became a word for the male reproductive organ. The use of link has transformed too, from a word that means a connecting structure into a term that is used to connect two personalities/celebrities. The same happened to the term miron as seen above. These examples shown semantic broadening, the semantic change that generalizes and makes the word more inclusive. Before undergoing semantic change, the word daks just refers to the trousers, but in this tabloid section, it now encompasses everything that is below a mans body. The same happened to link. The said word also got generalized and now pertains to a romantic relationship. These adaptations of foreign words and usage of them to contexts that are different to their traditional meaning can be cause of bilingualism. Filipinos are known for being bilinguals, and oftentimes multilingual. In order to keep up to the readers language, columnists must have adapted expressions that can be used to convey their thoughts in the most relatable way.

Erotic Literature Discussion Recently, party-list representative Angelo Palmones appeals that tabloids that use pornographic images and obscene articles must be banned from public consumption. It is

because the said articles obliterate the morality of the populace and does not help in creating decency. The obscene articles that Palmones wants to be diminished are the advice columns about sexual intercourse and of course the erotic literature. Erotic literature can be seen before the sports news section. It is a section of the tabloid that features novels from different writers that has been cut scene by scene so that it could be publish every day. The trend of putting erotic literature in tabloids was influenced by the popularity of Liwayway magazine. The said magazine is focused on publishing short stories and illustrated dramas. Because of its wide readership, the now defunct tabloid Taliba, a sister company of the Liwayway magazine started publishing short stories too. Other tabloids followed the trend and so as time pass; the short stories became novels with themes of drama. And now it became erotic literature. Below are the frequent terms used in the narratives of this tabloid section:
Expressions used inahin Dictionary Meaning A hen Contextual Meaning To describe a woman who is always pregnant. alaga A pet. Refers to the male genitalia Refers to copulation. Example Inahin ka kasi, tingnan mo nakakaanim ka na na anak, wika ni Salome. Ipinagmamalaki ngayon ni Carlos ang kanyang mas pinalaki na alaga. Nasarapan kaya siya sa performance ng kanyang nobyo? Maya-mayay naramdaman niya ang kanyang pagputok.

performance

An execution of an action

putpok/pagputok

Explosion

Refers to orgasm

bukana

Front; thersehold

Opening of the vagina.

Nakita na niya bukana ni Galilea.

ang

lagusan

An opening; a mountain pass

Refers to the vagina

Sinipsip niya ang bukana ng lagusan ni

Galilea.

kaselahan

Came from the word maselan which means sensitive. Climax

Refers to a sexual organ

Napatingin siya kanyang kaselahan

sa

sukdulan

Refers to orgasm. pugad A nest A place wherein two people, who have a romantic involvement always meet

Nakamit na rin nya ang sukdulan. Pumunta sila kanilang pugad. sa

Table 3. The terms frequently used in an erotic literature section, their dictionary meaning, contextual meaning and their example. Semantic pejoration is the semantic change It can be seen from the table above that the terms seen on erotic literature were all metaphors that substitutes the words that are reference to sex or sexual actions. For example, the word alaga has a dictionary meaning that was pet. But when it was used in the context of erotic literature, it was used as a term to refer to the male genitalia. Words like bukana and lagusan were applied as substitute to describe the parts of a females reproductive organ. Meanwhile, the terms sukdulan and performance can mean in erotic literature as orgasm and copulation respectively. Sexual terms are often being substituted by metaphors because of their somewhat taboo persona to the public. Because the society is still uncertain to say the words like penis or vagina, writers use terms that can be associated with the said words like these. And sometimes, the use of substitution for sexual terms adds an ounce of creativity to the writers credit. Being able to come up with a new word to replace any sexual term induces the entertaining part of reading the erotic novels.

The word bukana replaced the expression opening of the vagina because of its physical similarity with the latter. That is also the case in lagusan. The physical attributes of the dictionary meaning of these words are the reason why they are chosen to replace such sensitive lexis. Meanwhile, the word pugad which means a nest or a birds home replaced meeting place because of the similarity of their usage. Because wholesome words are mostly the ones used to replace sexual terms that still has negative connotation in this overly conservative society, it can be said that they undergone semantic pejoration. Semantic pejoration is a type of semantic change wherein a words definition undergone deterioration and became negative. These words are not supposed to have any negative definition but had gained one because of their physical and usage similarities with the sexual terms.

Sports News Discussions Just like the news section, the sports news also uses the inverted pyramid structure and uses attention grabbing headlines. Sports news can also be structure conscious and straight forward. But as its name states, sports news only focuses on sports competitions and issues whereas the news has a very broad scope from politics up to business. Aside from that, the two also differ in their terminologies and metaphors. Below are the terms and metaphors that sports articles use.
Expressions used Dictionary Meaning Extended Meaning Examples

tinamabakan/ tambak To pile; to dump; a heap Used in sports news. When a team or an athlete scored way higher than its opponent To get the price; to win

Tinambakan ng Askalz ang kanilang kalaban sa naganap na Peace Cup noong Huwebes.

makabig/nakabig

To shove or pull to ones self

Makabig kaya ng FEU and pagkapanalo laban sa NU bukas? 1. Dikit ang pagkapanalo ng UP Pep Squad. Tatlong taon na silang nanalo sa nakaraang Sampung Cheerdance competition 2. Dikit ang laban ng FEU kontra NU

dikit

To stick; to adhere; to get stuck

1. A word used to describe the consecutive wins of a sports team or an athlete. 2. A word used to describe the smallness of the distance between the scores of a sports team or an athlete To finalize a plan; in sports, to finalize a match Refers to a athletic match

kasado/ikasa

To cock a gun.

Kasado na ang laban ni Manny Pacquiao kontra kay Marquez Magaganap ang salpukang Pacquiao at Marquez sa Lalong sumiklab ang laban ng Ateneo kontra FEU

salpukan Came from the root word, salpok that means collision; impact nagsiklab, sumiklab Came from the root word siklab that means blaze duguang labanan (Literal meaning) a bloody fight

Refers to a very heated moment at a sporting match

nanalasa

To destroy

namayani

To rule

Refers to a very good match wherein one doesnt know who will win To win in a very huge distance against the opponent. To win in a match

Matapos ang duguang labanan na nangyari sa pagitan nina Marquez at Pacquiao Nanalasa si Barbosa sa third day ng kompetisyon. Barbosa, namayani sa 2nd place.

Table 4. The terms frequently used in sports news section, their dictionary meaning, contextual meaning and their example. Metaphors used in sports articles are called sports lingo.

Words like salpukan, sumiklab, nanalasa and namayani are part of what the sports journalists call, sports lingo. Sports lingos are the expressions that are used in sports news (Rogers). They can be as aggressive as the matches that they describe, (Rogers). The examples above proved to be aggressive. Nagsiklab/sumiklab means collision in their dictionary counterparts but they are used to pertain to competitiveness of a sports match when used in a sports article. To destroy is the meaning of the word nanalasa but in the sports news context, it was used as winning by a huge distance. In order to use a sports lingo properly, one must know the intensity of the game and match it to the proper metaphor that displays the intensity needed. These sports lingo are all metaphors as they represent the way the match has been executed. Its hard to imagine the sequence of a sports play if it is written on the newspaper. Using sports lingo can help the reader visualize the game that happened even though he or she hasnt watch it yet. Semantic shift, the total shift of one words meaning happened in these lingos. There is no weakening or strengthening change that happened on its semantics, it only took a new form base on the contexts that it was used.

Tabloids: A Symbol of Language Progress or Decay? Without the doubt that tabloid is one of the evidence that language is changing. The way the tabloid writers use words in whole new contexts just signals that man is a never ending thinking machine that keeps on trying to find a new way to solve problems and communicate. As mentioned on the objectives, this study will also find out if the new meanings of the terms used on tabloids are sign of language progress or language decay. As an answer, it can be said that the new use of these words in tabloids is a sign that language is progressing not decaying. Jean Aicthson (1981) said that, Progressis not an accident, but a necessity, it is part of nature. People have to adapt to the changes that has been happening, the way tabloids did. Tabloid editors knew that the competition against other forms of media is threatening and so they find new ways to give services. And one of those services is adapting their language to the way people are speaking now. Tabloids adapted the colloquial style, the bilingualism of the people. Though they sensationalize some of their news and even their headlines it is no doubt that they help make new meanings to the words, thus helping words evolve and keeping them alive. Therefore, tabloids are a big help in keeping our language alive through its innovative use of words and even creating ones. And as long as something like tabloid newspaper exists then there will be no worries about keeping it live.

References: Aitchison, Jean. Language Change: Progress or Decay. Great Britain: William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd, Glasgow, 1981 Fa, Saranya. (2012). Importance of Newspapers http://blogs.siliconindia.com/rajagiri/Importance_of_newspapers-bid1w0J4Bpq95450748.html (accessed October 5, 2012) Rogers, Tony. (2012). Whats the Difference Between Broadsheet Newspaper and Tabloids? http://journalism.about.com/od/trends/a/tabloidsbroadsheets.htm (accessed October 5, 2012)