September 9,2018

Ever since we were growing up, we are taught from everything by our families. We are able to communicate with others and connect with them. 

As a kid, I only knew how to speak filipino and english. But ever since I discovered cuyonon, I have always wanted to learn and understand it. I was open in learning a lot of things and this was the first thing I have always wanted to have.

I used to remember when we were eating, my grandparents would speak to each other in cuyonon and being the curious and nosy kid I am, I would listen and try to understand even though I had no clue on what they were saying.

But then, overtime, I got to pick up a few words–phrases even. And here I’ll teach you some of the words with examples that my grandparents taught me:

Cuyonon Word = In English

1. capon = yesterday

example:

Catabid namen magcaen sanda = I ate with them yesterday.

2. dagon = year

example:

Aga malam aco dagondagon = I get older every year.

3. macuri = difficult

example:

Macuri intendien = It’s too difficult to understand! 

4. cape = coffee

example:

Oras den aco mag inem cape = It’s already time to drink coffee. 

5. borac = flower

example:

Matinlo cao na medio borac = You are so beautiful like a flower. 

6. adlaw = sun

example:

Mainit ang adlaw na dia = The sun is too hot today.

7. lambong = dress

example:

Imong lambong ag usto matinlo canimo = Your dress fits you nicely.

8. cameseta = shirt

example:

Ang cameseta ay masyadong maitey para canimo = The shirt is too small for you. 

9. boc = hair

example:

Imong boc ay malemec ig malabeg = Your hair is so soft and long.

10. barita = news

example:

Dapat mas madangmit cao magseleng ang barita = You should watch the news more often.

Now you may ask where this beautiful language came from?

It’s actually a visayan language that’s mostly being spoken in the islands of Cuyo and the coast of Palawan.

In the end, I realized that this language will help me establish more connection with my family. I also get to help them preserve the language by learning it and sharing it with you guys!

Even if it is difficult to learn a new language, we should think of the brighter side that this can not only benefit you from knowing another language but it also helps in preserving it. Plus, you get to communicate with people who may know and make lots of friends!

I also created a video showing how to pronounce some of the words with examples. Check it out!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton