The Concept of “Gawat” in Pangasinan

Philippine Indigenous Languages Lecture Series (PILLS)
29 April | Tuesday | 10:00 AM
Pilar Herrera Hall

The fourth installment of the 2025 Philippine Indigenous Languages Lecture Series (PILLS) features Pangasinan, a major Philippine language spoken in the Ilocos Region.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the social, cultural, and linguistic significance of rice in Filipino culture, focusing mainly on Pangasinan. The central emphasis is on the Pangasinan concept of “gawat,” a term usually associated with scarcity and the challenges faced during the lean months of July to September. While sharing semantic similarities with the Tagalog expressions like “inaagosto,” “nordeste,” or “kawit ang palakol,” and the Ilocano expressions “kakirang” and “kapugrot,” the Pangasinan expression “gawat” is unique in that it is related to the experiences of rice farming communities, particularly during the waiting period leading up to rice harvest. By examining the semantic network and metaphorical expressions related to “gawat,” the study will also show how rice is perceived not just as something that meets physical needs but also as a linguistic resource in describing particular experiences and situations within a community.