CHAPTER I

The Problem and Its Setting

Introduction

Language plays a significant role in human lives. It is essentially a means

of communication among the members of a society. People use language as a tool

in conveying their feelings, thoughts and emotions since it is the most powerful

and convenient tool in communication. A person uses his language to many

different purposes which means that it is a necessity to human lives and for a

society to function effectively.

Society acquires self-awareness through the contact and communication

between its members therefore sharing a common language is convenient. The

significance of communication between people equates the significance of

language – the most important means of communication. In this respect, language

is of crucial importance in the individual development of humans. (Anca SIRBU,

2015)

Language and culture is interrelated to each other thus preserving a

language also means preserving a culture. The ceaseless use of the same

language is a certain proof of the historical continuity of a certain culture. (Anca

SIRBU, 2015) It is important to preserve a language not just in terms of preserving

a culture as well but also for a free-flowing communication process among

individuals to take place.

 An alteration of words in a certain language has a profound impact on the

communication process. The language barrier is one of the main barriers that limit

effective communication. Language is the most commonly employed tool of

communication. (Barriers in communication) If a single word has been altered,

miscommunications, misinterpretations and other similar conflicts in terms of

communication might arise. Misunderstanding, Irrelevant response and

undesirable reactions are the consequences of a failed communication exercise.

(Barriers to Communication, 2011) Failure of effective communication results in

loss of valuable time, resource, material and even life.

The only thing that remains constant is change and people cannot do

anything about that. Due to different aspects and factors, several words in a certain

language were altered. The evolutions of these languages were the outcome of

the fusion of different practices and culture. One of which is “salitang balbal” which

is the Filipino slang.

Filipinos are fond of inventing words and borrowing foreign terms and use

them to add spice to their spoken language. That is how “salitang balbal”

originated. (Tagalog Slang Words, Diksyunaryo ng Wikang Filipino, 1998)

However this practice might be inconvenient to those who are not fond of using it.

This study aims to gather information on the influence of “salitang balbal”

and how it affects the communication process of Junior High School students in

Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Incorporated (SLTCFI). The

information needed will be gathered from the grade 7 up to grade 10 students of

SLTCFI. Survey questionnaires will be used as a means of gathering data from the

2
respondents. The data that will be derived will be analyzed to determine the

answer to the research questions and to accomplish the objectives of this study.

This study will be an eye-opener to people who usually use “salitang balbal”.

Moreover, the expected outcome of this study is to offer recommendations to those

who are concerned of the usual usage of it.

Statement of the Problem

The main goal of this study is to determine the use of “salitang balbal”

affects the communication process of Junior High School students in Southern

Luzon Technological College Foundation Incorporated (SLTCFI) for the Academic

year 2018-2019. Specifically this study will be conducted to determine the answers

for the following questions:

1. What is the positive influence of “salitang balbal” to the Junior High

School students of SLTCFI? ;

2. What is negative influence of “salitang balbal” to the Junior High

School students of SLTCFI?

3. What feelings/emotions does the Junior High School students of

SLTCFI manifest when “salitang babal” is used in an oral

communication process? ;

4. How does the commonly used “salitang balbal” affect the Junior High

School students of SLTCFI in their oral communication process?

3
Objectives of the Study

This study aims to gather data that will determine the influence of “salitang

balbal” to the oral communication process of the Junior High School students of

Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Incorporated (SLTCFI). The

purpose of conducting this study are as follows:

1. Determine the influence of “salitang balbal” to the Junior High School

students in SLTCFI.

2. Provide the readers of this research with insights on how the

influence of “salitang balbal” affect the Junior High School students

in SLTCFI in terms of feelings/emotions and the communication

process as a whole.

3. Provide recommendations that will be beneficial to the readers of this

research regarding the influence of “salitang balbal” to the

communication process which will help them improve their

communication skill.

4
 Respondents: Junior High School Students

Positive Influence Negative Influence

Influence of Salitang Balbal to the students in terms of

feeling or emotions

Oral Communication Process

Recommendations

Conceptual Paradigm

Figure 1. Influence of Salitang Balbal to the Communication Process of Junior

High School Students of SLTCFI
5
Conceptual Framework

This conceptual framework is intended to present the process of the study

about the Influence of “Salitang Balbal” to the Communication Process of Junior

High School Students of SLTCFI. “Salitang balbal” is a trend, and people are using

this including the teenagers. The researchers made use of Junior High School

students of Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc. to determine

the influence of “salitang balbal”. This study will provide insights on the influence

of “salitang balbal” and how it affects the communication process of the Junior High

School students in SLTCFI.

The researchers will provide a questionnaire which constitutes of checklists.

The respondents will choose how the use of “salitang balbal” affect them during an

oral communication process. The respondents will also be asked about the

feelings or emotions they manifest when it is used as well as the effects of the

commonly used “salitang balbal” when used in an oral communication. The

researchers will analyze the findings which will be the basis of the

recommendations they will provide.

6
 Theoretical Paradigm

Figure 2. Barriers in Communication

(Communication Accommodation Theory)

7
Theoretical Framework

The theory that supports this study is the Barriers in Communication under

the Communication Accommodation Theory which was developed by Howard

Giles. It was stated in this theory that there are factors that affect communication

and these are the barriers in communication. One of these barriers are the

semantic barriers. Semantic barriers to communication are the symbolic obstacles

that distorts the sent message in some other way than intended. This barrier arises

due to language, education, culture and place of origin. In relation to this theory,

this study wants to find out whether the use of “salitang balbal” is considered as a

barrier in the communication process.

8
Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial to those individuals who are

concerned to the usual usage of “salitang babal” and how it influences the

communication process. Moreover, this study will be a basis in enlightening the

perceptions of individuals about “salitang balbal”.

Students. Students are covered in the scope of this study. Thus, the findings of

this study will have a direct benefit to them. This study will provide students in-

depth knowledge about the influence of “salitang balbal” to the communication

process. The recommendations of this study will be beneficial for them to be an

effective communicator.

Teenagers. Usually teenagers are the ones who frequently use “salitang balbal”

because they always want to follow the trend. Therefore, this study will enlighten

their perceptions about “salitang balbal” which might cause them to set a limit in

using it.

Teachers. This study will provide teachers information about the influence of

“salitang balbal” to the communication process. Teachers will have better

understanding about the influence of “salitang balbal” to the flow of communication

among their students in which they would come up with a solution on how they can

address such matter.

Parents. This study will provide parents insights about the influence of “salitang

balbal” to the communication process of their child in which they could come up

9
with a method on how they could be a good role model. This will be helpful in

molding their child into a good individual.

School Administrators. School is considered as the second home. Thus, it is

important that children should be disciplined both in school and at home. Through

this study, the school administrators may be guided on how they could formulate

certain school policy that focuses on the right usage of words. It is a significant

matter since one of the main reasons why children go to school is for them to learn

and preserve their culture.

Researchers. Through this study, the researchers will be provided with adequate

information about the influence of “salitang balbal” to the communication process.

This will help them in honing their communication skill and for them to be an

effective user of the language.

Future Researchers. This study about the negative influence of “salitang balbal”

to the communication process will serve as a reference to the future researchers

with the same study as this.

Scope and Delimitation

The main purpose of this study is to determine the influence of “salitang

balbal” to the communication process of the Junior High School students of

Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc. (SLTCFI). This study only

covers the Junior High School students who are registered students of SLTCFI for

the School Year 2018-2019. The participants of this study are the registered grade

7 up to grade 10 students.

10
 This study is only limited to the feelings or emotions manifested by the

Junior High School students of SLTCFI when “salitang balbal” is used during an

oral communication process. It is also limited to the “salitang balbal” known and

used by the Junior High School students of SLTCFI.

Definition of Terms

Communication process - the steps we take in order to successfully

communicate. Components of the communication process include a sender,

encoding of a message, selecting of a channel of communication, receipt of the

message by the receiver and decoding of the message.

Free flowing - moving in a continuous, steady stream. In this study, free-flowing

was used to determine the communication process without a barrier.

Influence - the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or

behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. This word is used in this

research to show the effect of “salitang balbal” to the communication process.

Language - the method of human communication, either spoken or written,

consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.

“Salitang balbal” - is an uncommon use of words in a language of a particular

social group. It is also called the word corner or word street. These are the words

that are generated or created in informal ways.

11
Society - is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a

large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically

subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectation.

12
 References

The Significance of Language as a Tool of Communication, (2015) Anca SIRBU

Barriers to Communication, Communication Theory (2011)

https://www.communicationtheory.org/ba’’rriers-to-communication/

Barriers in Communication (2015) https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-

correspondence-and-reporting/communication/barriers-in-communication/

Tagalog Slang Words, Diksyunaryo ng Wikang Filipino, Sentinyal

Edisyon. Manila: Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, 1998. pp. 926-929.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/salitang_kalye.htm

Barriers to Communication, Communication Theory (2011)

https://www.communicationtheory.org/barriers-to-communication/

13
 CHAPTER II
Review of Related Literature and Study

This study will provide knowledge on the influence of “salitang balbal” and

how it affects the communication process of students of Junior High School in

Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc. There are literature that

are somewhat related to this study. The related literatures were chosen based on

the relativity of their content to this research. The literatures included were about

culture, language and communication process; what are the role of language and

how it affects the communication process.

Related Literature

According to an article in Significance of Language as a Tool in

Communication, Anca SIRBU, 2018, connotations of words, as well as meanings

of slang phrases, vary greatly across cultural lines, and a lack of tolerance and

understanding of this fact often results in misinterpretations. There is a close

relationship between the language and the culture of a community - they are

inextricably related, so that one cannot understand or appreciate the one without

a good knowledge of the other.

This article supports this study since both agree that there would be an

effect in the flow of communication if a certain person does not have an adequate

amount of knowledge about a certain language. There would be

misunderstandings that may happen in the communication process for the reason

that not everyone can comprehend it. The use of language has an influence in the

14
communication process which is what the researchers is trying to show in this

study; whether the influence would be positive or negative.

In the Language and Nationalities book, it was stated that a national

language should be an instrument for and resulting symbol of unity. Yet, a

language can be the occasion for dissension and deep divisions in a society. The

use of language can either make or break a relationship and/or unity. In relation to

this, the researchers believe that serious matter like the use of language should

be studied which is why they had come up with this study.

Related Study

The study of Rhenz Miko Tizon about the “Gay Lingo among students of

SLTCFI” stated that students often communicate with their peers by their own way

of speaking. They usually utter the words by how they understand those words

and by their own style in using language. It was also stated in the conclusions of

the study that the new words were being used by the students in different situations

for different purposes and reasons and that students were able to adopt the

evolving language as a new form of communication. In relation to this study, the

researchers also believed that students acquire a new language and use it in

different ways just like in communicating.

There should be limitations in using informal words, just like “salitang balbal”

The study about the “Filipino Slang Words Used by the BSED First Year and

Second Year students for the A.Y. 2016-2017” agree with this and stated that most

students use slang words for them to easily express their thoughts however, this

15
study recommends that students should embrace self-discipline in using the

Filipino slang words because not all the time, slang words are allowed to be used.

In relation to this.

16
 References

Filipino Slang Words Used by the BSED First Year and Second Year students for
the A.Y. 2016-2017, (2016)

Gay Lingo Among BSED Students of Sltcfi for the First Semester of AY 2014-2015,
Renz Mikko S. Tizon, (2014)

Significance of Language as a Tool in Communication, Anca SIRBU, (2015)

17
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The research design refers to the overall strategy that researchers use to

integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way,

thereby, ensuring that it will effectively address the research problem. This study

used the descriptive survey design in order to acquire information necessary for

the accomplishment of the objectives of this study. The descriptive research

design is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior

of a subject.

Participants

The respondents of this study are the registered students of Junior High

School in Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc. for the Academic

Year 2018-2019.

Instrumentation

The researchers had prepared questionnaires which is the basis in

evaluating the information that is needed to attain the objectives of this study about

The Influence of “Salitang Balbal” to the Communication Process of Junior High

School Student in Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc.

(SLTCFI).

18
Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers sent a letter to the registrar to ask permission for the copy

of the registered junior high school students of Southern Luzon Technological

College Foundation Incorporated (SLTCFI). The researchers also ask permission

from the principal of the high school department and to the class advisers of the

junior high school students in SLTCFI to conduct the survey during the available

time of the respondents or when the subject teacher can give time to conduct their

study.

The researchers had made questionnaires which will be the basis in

evaluating the information that is needed to attain the answers for the research

questions. They will conduct their study on the allotted time and date with the use

of checklist and the copy of the questionnaires need to be answered by the

students. The researchers had consulted some professionals first about the

questions that were given to the students for the survey. The same professionals

validated the questionnaires.

19
 Chapter IV

Data Analysis

This chapter is a presentation of the analysis and interpretation of data

regarding The Influence of “Salitang Balbal” to the Oral Communication Process

of Junior High School Student in Southern Luzon Technological College

Foundation Inc.

The Influence of “Salitang balbal” to the Oral Communication Process

To determine the positive and negative influence of “salitang balbal” to the

oral communication process of Junior High School students, a checklist that

constitutes the positive and negative influence of “salitang balbal” was used by the

researchers.

With the positive effects of “salitang balbal” to the oral communication

process checklist, the researchers found out that out of 133 respondents, 43

agreed that the use of “salitang balbal” enables them to interact with each other

easily. This indicates that “salitang balbal” is easy to use and handy. 40 of them

answered that it makes their peers think that they can follow the current trend and

38 of the respondents said that they can express themselves freely by using

“salitang balbal”. The positive effect of “salitang balbal” which has the least

number of check from the students is “salitang balbal” makes them feel cool with

30. This shows that to feel cool is not the main effect of the use of “salitang balbal”

to the oral communication process of junior high school students.

20
 Table 1. Positive Effects of “Salitang Balbal” to the Junior High School

Students of SLTCFI when Used in an Oral Communication Process

I can interact with others easily 43

My friends think I am always 40

“in” with the current trend

I can express myself freely 38

I feel cool when using it 30

Total: 151

Based on the given negative effects of using “salitang balbal”, 58 out of 133

respondents agreed that there are misunderstandings when ”salitang balbal” is

being used since not everyone are fond of it. This shows that by using “salitang

balbal”, the respondents experienced misunderstandings between the sender and

the receiver of the message which affect their oral communication process. This

finding was supported by the article in the Barriers to Communication,

Communication Theory (2011) in which it was stated in the article that

misunderstanding is a result of failed communication exercise. This implication

proves that “salitang balbal” is considered as one of the barriers in the free-flowing

oral communication process. 56 respondents said that they became disrespectful,

48 respondents said that the use of “salitang balbal” makes them forget the right

time and place for using it, 37 of the respondents said that “salitang balbal” makes

them informal, 36 of them agreed that “salitang balbal” became part of their daily

21
conversation and 20 out of 133 respondents said that by using “salitang balbal”

they seldom use the standard words in their language.

Table 2. Negative Effects of Salitang Balbal to the Junior High School

Students of SLTCFI when Used in an Oral Communication Process

There are misunderstandings 58

since not everyone are fond of
using it

I become disrespectful 56

I sometimes forget when and 48

where to use it

I became informal 37

It became a part of my daily 36

conversation

I seldom use the standard 20

words in my language

Total: 225

From all the data in the table 1 and 2 that was tallied, 151 respondents from

Junior High school responded positive in the effects of “salitang balbal” when used

in an oral communication process. On the other hand, 225 from the same

respondents responded that the use of “salitang balbal” affects them in a negative

way. This shows that the use of “salitang balbal” during an oral communication

process negatively affects the junior high school students of SLTCFI.

The researchers provided another checklist which consists of the feelings

or emotions they manifest when salitang balbal is used during an oral

22
communication process Based on the data gathered, the Junior High School

students manifest mixed feelings or emotions when “salitang balbal” is used. The

checklist that was provided by the researchers also constitutes of the “others” box

wherein they are supposed to put in and specify other feelings or emotions

however there are none that was given by them. Out of 133 respondents, 52

agreed that the use of “salitang balbal” during an oral communication process

makes them feel awkward, it makes them feel annoyed with 46, it makes them feel

irritated with 43, 32 respondents said that they feel humiliated. The use of “salitang

balbal” makes 31 of the respondents angry, 31 of the respondents feel down, 20

of them do not like to participate in the class discussion, 20 of them feel sad and

18 out of 133 respondents feel inferior. To sum it all, the 262 responds from the

respondents shows that the use of “salitang balbal” influence them in a way that

their feeling or emotions where negatively affected.

Table. 3 Feelings/emotions Manifested by the Junior High School Students

When “salitang balbal” is Used in an Oral Communication

I feel awkward 52

I feel annoyed 46

I feel irritated 43

I feel humiliated 32

It makes me angry 31

It makes me feel down 23

I do not like to participate in the 20

class discussion

23
 I feel sad 20

I feel so inferior 18

Total: 262

To analyze how the use of “salitang balbal” influences the oral

communication process, the researchers made use of a checklist. In the first

column are the randomly selected commonly used “salitang balbal”. The second

and third column are positive and negative in which the respondents are supposed

to reflect on themselves whether the use of the commonly used “salitang balbal”

affects their communication process negatively or positively.

The commonly used “salitang balbal” with the most number of students who

agreed to have a positive influence on their communication process is Lodi with

79, Bes with 72, Petmalu with 70, Very bet with 69, share ko lang with 62,

Beshywap with 62, Gora with 61, Kyah with 55, Happy ka? with 37, Pa’no mo

nasabi with 36, Edi shing with 34, Iyo man lang? with 33, share mo lang with 29

and Edi wow with 26.

This finding shows that when lodi, bes and petmalu is used, the

communication process between the junior high school students of SLTCFI is

positively affected. It is for the reason that lodi (idol) is usually used when showing

admiration to a certain person as well as the third commonly used “salitang balbal”

that got the highest number of positive check which is petmalu (malupet). The

second commonly used “salitang balbal” is bes which is usually used as a form of

endearment.
24
 “Iyo man lang?, share mo lang and edi wow got the least number of checks

from the students. This is because the commonly used “salitang balbal”

aforementioned are usually used when a person is trying to provoke another

person.

Table 4.1 Frequency Distribution of the Positive Influence of Commonly

Used “Salitang Balbal” to the Oral Communication Process

Commonly Used No. of students who consider

the commonly used “salitang
“Salitang Balbal”
balbal” positive

Lodi 79

Bes 72

Petmalu 70

Very bet 69

Share ko lang 62

Beshywap 62

Gora 61

Kyah 55

Happy ka? 37

Pa’no mo nasabi? 36

Edi shing 34

Iyo man lang? 33

25
 Share mo lang 29

Edi wow 26

To find out the commonly used “salitang balbal” with negative influence on

the communication process, the researchers made use of the same checklist that

was used in the positive influence. The respondents agreed that share mo lang,

edi wow, edi shing, pan’no mo nasabi and iyo man lang have a negative influence

on the process of communication. This is for the reason that the implication when

these phrases are used is either because the sender is being sarcastic, wants to

stop a conversation and/or trying to provoke a certain person.

Beshywap with 39 frequency, bes with 36, petmalu with 33, very bet with 31

and lodi with 24 got the least number of checks from the respondents. This is

because beshywap and bes are used as a form of endearment between friends

and petmalu, very bet and lodi are used when a person is trying to show admiration

to another person.

Table 4.2 Frequency Distribution of the Negative Influence of Commonly

Used “Salitang Balbal” to the Oral Communication Process

Commonly Used No. of students who

consider the commonly
“Salitang Balbal”
used “salitang balbal” as
negative

Share mo lang 81

Edi wow 79

26
 Edi shing 69

Pa’no mo nasabi 68

Iyo man lang? 68

Nuginagawamue 52

Gora 61

Kyah 45

Share ko lang 43

Gora 41

Beshywap 39

Bes 36

Petmalu 33

Very Bet 31

Lodi 24

27
 Chapter V

Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations

The summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations of this study

are stated in this chapter.

Findings

1. Students use “salitang balbal” for them to easily interact with each other.

The use of “salitang balbal” arises misunderstanding during an oral

communication process which affects the free-flowing communication to

take place.

2. Students feel awkward, annoyed and irritated when “salitang balbal” is

used.

3. Lodi, bes, petmalu, very bet and share ko lang are known to have a positive

influence on the oral communication process. On the other hand, “share mo

lang”, “edi wow”, “edi shing”, “pa’no mo nasabi” and “iyo man lang?” are

known to have a negative influence on the oral communication process.

4. “Salitang balbal” is considered as a barrier in the communication process.

Conclusions

The following were the conclusions formed from the data that was analyzed

and the findings of this study:

1. The use of “salitang balbal” positively influence the respondents in their oral

communication process for the reason that it enables them to interact with

28
 each other easily. The “salitang balbal” negatively influence the

respondents since there are misunderstandings which arise during their oral

communication process when “salitang balbal” is used..

2. When “salitang balbal” is used, the respondents manifest negative feelings

or emotions. The respondents feel awkward, annoyed and irritated when

“salitang balbal” is used in an oral communication process.

3. The commonly used “salitang balbal” which were determined to have a

positive influence on the communication process are lodi, bes, petmalu,

very bet and share ko lang. The commonly used “salitang balbal” which

were determined to have a negative influence on the communication

process are “share mo lang”, “edi wow”, “edi shing”, “pa’no mo nasabi” and

“iyo man lang?”.

4. “Salitang balbal” has the most negative influence on the communication

process therefore it is considered as a barrier in the free-flowing

communication process The influence of “salitang balbal” to the

communication process varies depending on its meaning.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are:

1. Students should embrace self-discipline in using “salitang balbal”. They

must be aware that it affects the feeling or emotions of others negatively.

2. In any way possible, a person must consider first the meaning of a “salitang

balbal” before using it because the effect of it on a certain person varies

with its meaning.

29
3. If a person wants to ensure that a communication process will be effective,

he must consider first whether to use “salitang balbal” or not.

4. “Salitang balbal” is an informal word therefore one must be cautious in using

it especially in formal gatherings or talking to professionals and elders.

30