The Baybay language, also known as Baybayanon, Utudnon, Waya-Waya or Leyte, is a distinct regional language that was spoken on the island of Leyte in the Philippines before the arrival of Waray and then later, Boholano and Cebuano. It is still spoken around the city of Baybay. It is part of the Bisayan language family and is closely related to other Philippine languages.

Baybay
Utudnon
Baybayanon
Native toPhilippines
RegionBaybay, Leyte
Native speakers
10,000 (2009)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3bvy
Glottologbayb1234
Areas where the Baybay language is spoken.

Classification edit

Baybayanon was originally a Warayan language that has been relexified and overlaid by a Cebuano (Leyteño) superstratum.[2] The Warayan substratum is characterized by Baybayanon's more Waray-like deictics, and various other features.[2]

Geographic distribution edit

Utudnon is spoken by about 10,000 people in five barangays of Baybay municipality,[3] central Leyte, namely Utúd (also called Utod or Guadalupe), Gábas, Kilím, Pátag, Pangasúgan and Hibunawan.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Baybay at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c Rubino, Carl (2005). "Utudnon, an Undescribed Language of Leyte" (PDF). In Liao, Hsiu-chuan; Rubino, Carl R. (eds.). Current Issues in Philippine Linguistics and Anthropology: Parangal kay Lawrence A. Reid. Manila, Philippines: Linguistic Society of the Philippines and SIL Philippines. pp. 306–336.
  3. ^ ISO 639-3 Registration Authority (2009). "Request for New Language Code Element in ISO 639-3" (PDF). request number 2009-083.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)