Cebuano language

Cebu Capitol historical marker (Cebuano) (cropped)

Cebuano language, also known by its native name Bisaya or Sugbuanon, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people as a first language, and by more than 10 million others as a second language. It is the most widely spoken member of the Visayan languages and is predominantly spoken in the Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and on the island of Mindanao. Cebuano is also spoken in other parts of the Philippines, especially in urban areas, by Cebuano migrants.

History

The Cebuano language originated from the Old Malay language, which was brought to the Philippines by traders and settlers from Malaysia and Indonesia before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Over the centuries, it has evolved and been influenced by Spanish, due to over 300 years of Spanish colonization, and to a lesser extent by English, due to American colonization in the early 20th century.

Dialects

Cebuano has several dialects, which are mainly distinguished by their phonetic differences. The most prominent dialects include the Standard Cebuano, which is based on the dialect spoken in Cebu City, and is used in literature and media. Other notable dialects are Boholano (spoken in Bohol), Leyteño (spoken in Leyte), and Mindanao Cebuano (spoken in various parts of Mindanao).

Phonology

Cebuano phonology is characterized by a set of 16 consonants and 3 vowels. Vowel sounds in Cebuano can change depending on stress and the presence of glottal stops, which are common in the language.

Grammar

Cebuano grammar is predicate-initial, meaning the predicate comes before the subject in a sentence. It utilizes a number of affixes to denote focus, aspect, and mood. The language also employs a system of verbal affixes to indicate the direction of the action and the relationship between the actor, the action, and the object.

Writing System

Originally, the Cebuano language was written in the Baybayin script, an ancient Philippine script. However, with the arrival of the Spanish, the Latin alphabet was introduced, and it has since become the standard writing system for Cebuano. The modern Cebuano alphabet consists of 20 letters, including the ñ.

Literature

Cebuano literature is rich and diverse, with its roots in pre-Hispanic oral traditions. It includes folk literature, such as myths, legends, and folktales, as well as written literature, which saw significant development during the Spanish period. In the modern era, Cebuano literature has expanded to include novels, poetry, and journalism.

Media

Cebuano is used in a variety of media, including newspapers, radio, and television, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. It is also present on the internet, with websites, blogs, and social media platforms offering content in Cebuano.

Education

While Filipino and English are the official languages of instruction in the Philippines, Cebuano is taught in schools as part of the local language subject, particularly in regions where it is the lingua franca.

Challenges and Preservation

The Cebuano language faces challenges such as the dominance of English and Filipino, especially in urban areas and in the field of education. However, efforts are being made to preserve and promote the language through literature, media, and cultural programs.