Describing the Phonological Features of Gay Lingo: Notes from the Films of Vice Ganda

Abstract

This study examines the segmental phonological features of contemporary Tagalog Gay Lingo as reflected in selected Vice Ganda films available on YouTube. Employing a qualitative-descriptive design, the researcher collected Gay Lingo expressions from video materials, transcribed relevant utterances, verified pronunciation through repeated viewing, and assigned corresponding spellings and meanings for analysis. The study identified the consonant and vowel phonemes present in the gathered lexical items, including nasal, plosive, fricative, affricate, tap, lateral, and glide consonants, together with the five vowel phonemes /a, e, i, o, u/. Findings reveal phonological processes such as the alternation of /b/ and /v/, frequent use of affricates and digraphs such as ch and sh, and the occurrence of consonant clusters and diphthongs across initial, medial, and final positions. The data also show that many Gay Lingo forms are highly creative, media-driven, and phonologically dynamic, reflecting the innovative practices of speakers and the influence of popular culture. Although Gay Lingo is not an official language, it functions as a significant linguistic resource that demonstrates language change, identity expression, and the vitality of contemporary Filipino speech. These findings underscore the importance of studying sociolects in Philippine linguistic scholarship.