Old Filipino Alphabet (Abakada):
* 14 letters: A, B, K, D, E, G, H, I, L, M, N, Ng, O, P, R, S, T, U, W, Y.
* Limited sounds: The alphabet could only represent a limited range of sounds in the Filipino language, forcing people to use diacritics (marks above letters) to indicate different pronunciations.
* Limited use: Primarily used for basic literacy and educational purposes.
New Filipino Alphabet (Baybayin):
* 28 letters: A, B, K, D, E, G, H, I, L, M, N, Ng, O, P, R, S, T, U, W, Y, Ch, F, J, Q, V, X, Z.
* Broader representation: Includes letters that represent sounds not present in the old alphabet, eliminating the need for diacritics in many cases.
* More versatile: Used for a wider range of writing, including literature, official documents, and even modern digital applications.
Key Differences:
* Number of letters: The new alphabet has significantly more letters than the old one, allowing for more precise representation of sounds.
* Sound representation: The new alphabet is more comprehensive, covering a wider range of sounds in the Filipino language.
* Diacritics: The new alphabet minimizes the use of diacritics, making spelling and pronunciation more consistent.
* Scope of application: The new alphabet is used in a wider range of contexts, including official documents, literature, and digital platforms.
It's important to note that the term "Baybayin" is not strictly accurate. The traditional Baybayin script was a syllabic script, meaning each symbol represented a syllable, not a single letter. While the modern Filipino alphabet adopted some symbols from the traditional Baybayin, it is not the same script.
The new Filipino alphabet has contributed to better literacy rates and a more comprehensive representation of the Filipino language. It is a testament to the ongoing evolution and development of language, adapting to the needs and complexities of modern communication.