El Lenguaje Caviteño
Chavacano is NOT a dialect ever since it was born. It is a Full-pledge Language of its own,
having its own grammar, sets of words, its own phonology, Syntax, Lexicon and its own
dialects or variants.
Chavacano is an Old Castilian-Based Creole Language with influenced from other
languages from Hispania to the Americas and Southeast Asia as follows: Portuguese,
Galician, Andalucian, Mexican-indian, Nauht'l, Taino, Quechua, Tagalog, Cebuano, Tausug,
Sama, Subanon, Kapampangan, Ilocano, Tiruray, Maranaoan, Maguindanaoan, Ninhonggo,
Chinese (cantonese, hokkien, et.al.), as well as Malay, et.al. and also having its own sets of
Six Dialects that were born during the Spanish Era, as follows:
1.) Bahra/Ternateño
2.) Caviteño
3.) Zamboangueño
4.) Ermitense (Ermiteño)
5.) Cotabateño
6.) Castellano Abakay (Davaoeño Zamboangueño) [Sub-dialects: Castellano Abakay Japón
and Castellano Abakay Chino]
All these Dialects are Mutually-Intelligible with each other. Though, with little difference
ranging from 15% to 20% (this is based from my own observation as I did find some
difficulties reading-comprehension and pronouncing some words in Bahra and Caviteño),
particularly on its Grammar Rules, Orthography and Phonology.
I will give you an example for the three Dialects Zamboangueño, Bahra and Caviteño,
based on their Tenses Modifier.
Note:
If have something to share, please do.
[English/Tagaog]
Past tense:
I went to the market yesterday./ Pumunta/Nagpunta ako sa palengke kahapon.
Present tense:
I'm going to the market today./ Papunta/ pumupunta ako sa palengke ngayon.
Future tense:
I will go to the market tomorrow/later./ Pupunta ako sa palengke bukas/mamaya.
It's equivalent accordingly,
TIEMPO PASO:
[Zamboangueño]
Ya andá yo na tiangue ayer.
Yo ya andá na tiangue de ayer.
[Caviteño]
Ya andá yo na mercado ayer.
Yo ya andá na mercado de ayer.
[Bahra]
Yo a indá na mercadu ayer.
A indá yo na mercadu ayer.
TIEMPO PRESENTE
[Zamboangueño]
Yo ta andá na tiangue ahora.
Ta andá yo na tiangue ahora.
[Caviteño]
Yo ta andá na mercado ahora.
Ta andá yo na mercado ahora.
[Bahra]
Yo ta indá na mercadu agora.
Ta indá yo na mercadu agora.
TIEMPO FUTURO
[Zamboangueño]
Yo hay andá na tiangue mañana/luego.
Hay andá yo na tiangue mañana/luego.
El andá yo na tiangue mañana/luego.
[Caviteño]
Yo di andá na mercado mañana/luego.
Di andá yo na mercado mañana/luego.
[Bahra]
Yo di indá na mercadu mañana/luegu.
Di indá yo na mercadu mañana/luegu.
Summary:
Both Caviteño and Zamboangueño Dialects are using the "Ya-Past tense modifier", while
Bahra is using "A".
Both Zamboangueño and Caviteño, including Bahra dialects are using the "TA-present
tense modifier".
Both Caviteño and Bahra dialects are using the "DI-future tense modifier", while
Zamboangueño dialect is using only both "HAY" and "EL".
Aside from the basic tenses, the Zamboangueño dialect also have its Perfect tenses.
Example
Tiempo Paso Perfecto:
(Ya+verbo+ya)
Yo ya andá ya na tiangue ayer.
Ya andá ya yo na tiangue ayer.
I've already been to the market yesterday.
Tiempo Presente Perfecto:
(Ta+Verbo+Ya)
Yo ta andá ya na tiangue ahora.
Ta andá ya yo na tiangue ahora.
Tiempo Futuro Perfecto:
(Hay/El+Verbo+Ya)
Yo hay andá ya na tiangue mañana/luego.
Hay andá ya yo na tiangue mañana/luego.
El andá ya yo na tiangue mañana/luego.
Among the Six Dialects, the BAHRA dialect is most inflienced by Portuguese language as
most words ending with "ao" and "o" are spelled with "au" and "u".
For example:
[Zamboangueño]
Abogao / Abogado
Santificao / Santificado
Aprobao Aprobado
Cargao / Cargado
Lavao / Lavado
Cerrao / Cerrado
Acordao / Acordado
Grabao / Grabado
Guardao / Guardado
Adobo
Estofao / Estofado
Todo
Largo
[Bahra]
Abugau
Santificau
Aprubau
Cargau
Lavau
Cerrau
Acordau
Grabau
Guardau
Adobu
Estofau / Estofadu
Todu
Largu