I am not from Spain but I understand Spanish
By Jonah Bucoy
@bbjong17 (91)
Zamboanga City, Philippines
April 17, 2018 9:34am CST
I am from the Philippines and my native language is 'Chavacano'. Chavacano refers to a number of Spanish-based creole language varieties spoken in the Philippines. It is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia.
In 1521, when the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, they were able to influenced the countrymen in many aspects. One is the language. Although not as Spanish as it is, people were able to adopt the language. It is still being used until today. This language is called, "Chavacano", and it is widely used in Zamboanga City, Philippines.
I am proud to be a Chavacano Speaker. Although I cannot speak straight Spanish, I can understand a Spanish conversation and read in Spanish.
Have you known about this? What are your thoughts?
7 people like this
9 responses
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32654)
• Calgary, Alberta
17 Apr 18
I use to train Chavacanos how to speak American style Spanish on a Call center. They learn very fast and manages to sound like a Puerto Rican or a Mexican with an ease.
2 people like this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32654)
• Calgary, Alberta
18 Apr 18
@bbjong17 I trained people in Makati, There are Chavacanos in Metro Manila. At first they struggle with the difference in grammar and there are Chavacano words that are not Spanish but they transitioned really Good. One of my Trainees I think got my position when I left the Philippines.
1 person likes this
@bbjong17 (91)
• Zamboanga City, Philippines
18 Apr 18
@CaptAlbertWhisker Oh see. Thay sounds interesting. I hope you visit the Philippines again.
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
17 Apr 18
Yes, we do. I have friends who know Chavacano. Do you also understand Cebuano, Jonah?
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
18 Apr 18
@bbjong17 Cool! Not me, Jonah. It is my husband. He teaches me sometimes. 
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
17 Apr 18
Such dialects stemmed from Western colonialism, I don't think that's is an issue if you speak it, some parts of the Philippines speak " chacavacano" and pardon me but it is b@sta#d Spanish, so what's wrong with that? I would probably be proud of our heritage if only I knew how to speak it, teach it to me and I would most probably learn it fast
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
18 Apr 18
@bbjong17 I'm from Metro Manila, Las Pinas city., nice to meet you too, Chavacano is also spoken in parts of Cavite.
@bbjong17 (91)
• Zamboanga City, Philippines
18 Apr 18
I wish I could. Thank you for this. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32654)
• Calgary, Alberta
18 Apr 18
@bbjong17 Many Canadians speaks French. Specially Quebec and some from Toronto.
