Traditional Pangasinan Units of Measurement

 

This is called tagayan, a polished coconut shell that has been in use for three generations as "pang-sukat ng isasaing na bigas" (rice dispenser measuring cup). The original owner demanded that the tagayan be returned to its proper place (inside the dispenser) right after use and should not be placed just anywhere or used in any other way. Other households demand that the rice it contained be replaced immediately with new rice. There is an unstated belief that something bad will happen if this rule is not followed.

(Current owner of artifact: Dr. Leticia B. Ursua, Zone VI)

 

Traditional Pangasinan Units of Measurement

Long before we Filipinos standardized our system of measurement to the kilogram for weight and the kilometer for length (the metric system adopted internationally, in replacement of the old English system), we already had developed our own. It may not be an exact science like today's calibrated scales, but the measures worked in an environment where bounty and diversity were such a reality that they were probably too hard to deal with, much less to count down to the last degree of magnitude or, for that matter, using a consistent standard of measurement.

 

In Pangasinan, before we ever resorted to the use of "guhit" (line) in scientific weighing scales (simbangan), the following were the terms used at the public market, and many of these are still in use.

 

Litse, from leche, the Spanish word for milk, is equivalent to a can of Alaska condensed milk. The measurement is typically used for rice and beans.

 

Prior to litse, a tagayan was used, made of a halved coconut shell.

 

Chupa or supa refers to one cup.

 

Ganta or gantas is what Tagalogs call gatang, which is equivalent to 10 chupas.

 

Gantilla, obviously a diminutive of ganta, is another measurement unit.

 

Salop means 2.5 kilos.

 

Limon is equivalent to the biggest can of Del Monte pineapple juice available in the market. It is often used to measure grains.

 

Takal is also used to refer to any of the different wooden (or some other material) measuring instruments.

 

Kaban refers to a 50-kilo sack, usually containing rice or corn.

 

Buriki refers to a red, fishnet-like (i.e., large-holed) sack used to measure the volume of onions sold or harvested.

 

Words used to measure gold

 

As recorded in the Cosgaya dictionary, per Dr. Melchor Orpilla's research, the ancient Pangasinan term for karat or quality of balitok (gold) is suri. Gold may be described as dalísay or pure gold, masurin balitok or very fine gold, or pinpólon balitok (literally 'ten times' high-quality) or very high-grade gold.

 

Taladio refers to a small balance used to weigh gold. Gold may be referred to as mukumók (gold dust), taták ("shreds or cuttings of gold or silver"), kalupkop (gold sheet), or buták (ingot).

 

Taíl is "the weight of ten reales of gold."

 

Extremes

 

When it comes to extremes, Pangasinan language, just like other Filipino languages, borders on estimates and inexactitudes, even comical hyperboles. Someone who is of very short stature is often described as sangkarangan (tangan means thumb in Pangasinan) or sangkategteg (a mere chop or cutlet of meat). 

 

The following are other typical adjectives used: atagtagey (very tall), andukurukey (very long), amayamay, sangkaterba, amoryol, agalay karakel (too many), ag nabilang (can't be counted or innumerable) or aga nalukso'y duweg (a carabao can't jump over it) (as in a big crowd or a colony of ants), aga naluksoy pusa (a cat can't jump over it) (too many items, as on food on the table), amonggol (as in a bunch of fruits), ambela-belat (too heavy), and ag nagiing (too heavy that it can't be moved).