If the Philippines is one island mass (instead of an archipelago), would we have only one language?

Question

Would the Philippines have only one major dialect had we been an island nation instead of being comprised of several islands? Is the plurality of our dialects the direct result of our scattered islands?

Answer 1

I dont think so.

China have at least 2000 different dialects. and they are not in an archipelago like the Philippines.

Singapore have four different national languages and they are only in one tiny island not bigger than Metro Manila.

There are also a few different languages/dialects/accents in the British Isle.

Answer 2

maybe not coz look at panay. very small island yet so many dialects.

Answer 3

   I don't think so - look at India. Its a big land mass

   but there are many dialects.

   Have a nice day !

Answer 4

it could be lesser than what we have now but not totally one language. i think it still has to do with the various ethnic groups that we have and the geographical structure liek having huge mountains and rivers that still separate us from the other filipinos.  

Answer 5

No, it wouldn't have made a difference.  The biggest island, Luzon, has several languages in its many regions, thus it is inconceivable that in larger land mass only one language would evolve.  Even in a smaller region such as Bicol, comprised of different provinces, people speak different dialects and barely understand each other.

Answer 6

we have a common language, a national languange, which is "Filipino", (with an "F"), Pilipinos (with a "P' ) is what we call ourselves, our nationality

Answer 7

not really... Spain and China are not archipelagos, but they have different dialects too...

Answer 8

No. That's impossible to have only one dialect. Different cultures or tribe may reside in different locations producing multiple dialects.