LANGUAGE CONVERGENCE, LANGUAGE IDENTIFICATION, AND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF FIRST YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN REGION 6

Abstract

The focus of this study was on the levels of language convergence, identification and proficiency of the first year college students in region 6 for Academic Year 2022-2023. The design was mixed method using Quantitative Survey Correlational and Qualitative FGD to discover the levels in language convergence, language identification, and   language proficiency. The respondents of the study were composed of seven thousand (7,000) students but only took four hundred (400) sample of students. The researcher used the quota random sampling technique and got eight (8) samples from the universities in region 6. The data were marked accordingly by rubrics. Synonyms, recall words and translation are the tools used for the study. As to the findings, the level of language convergence was “high” because the students are familiar with their mother tongue; while the level on language identification was “Very High” due to the fact that their cultures, languages and demographic locations are very close and is almost the same, although there are differences in spelling and sound of words; and a “high” result for language proficiency, this indicates that respondents has different levels of competence or considered as homogeneous groups. For the inferential results:  the analysis of variance conducted on language proficiency between different levels of language exposure indicates "no significant relationship.", this is because the languages that meet in this study, although in essence, are all part of a single language family that unites the region as a linguistic group. Overall, there is "no significant relationship" between levels of language identity; and there is a "significant relationship" between levels of language exposure, language identity, and language proficiency. Lastly , there was "no significant predictor" of language proficiency in the language exposure and language identity among first-year college students in Region 6. It is proposed to continue the recognition of regional languages through participation in discussions, seminars, forums and other linguistic activities involving the regional language. Introduce and use the language to keep it alive and appreciate at all times.