Chavacano

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A language of Philippines

ISO 639-3
cbk
Alternate Names
Chabacano, Chabakano, Zamboangueño
Population

359,000 (Rubino 2008). 155,000 Zamboangueño (Holm 1989); 27,800 Caviteño; 3,750 Ternateño (1975 census); 5,470 Cotabato Chavacano (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Location

Mindanao, Zamboanga and Basilan provinces, Kabasalan, Siay, Margosatubig, Ipil, Malangas, Lapuyan, Buug, Tungawan, Alicia, Isabela, Lamitan, Maluso, Malamawi, and Cotabato city; Cavite, Ternate, and Ermita near Manila. Speakers in 60 of 66 provinces (1970 census).

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Creole, Spanish based
Dialects

Caviteño, Cotabato Chavacano (Cotabateño), Davaweño Zamboangueño (Abakay Spanish, Davao Chavacano, Davaoeño, Davaweño), Ermitaño (Ermiteño), Ternateño (Ternateño Chavacano), Zamboangueño (Chavacano).

Typology

Accusative actancy structure

Language Use

Davaweño Zamboangueño dialect may have no remaining speakers. Ermiteño is extinct; Zamboangueño, Caviteño, and Cotabateño are still used. Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Nearly all also use Filipino [fil]. Many also use Cebuano [ceb] or Tausug [tsg].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 80%. Literacy rate in L2: 80%. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1981.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chavacano
Writing
Braille script. Latin script, primary usage.
Other Comments

A creole with predominantly Spanish vocabulary and Philippine-type grammatical structure. Christian.