The vestiges of Spain in the Chavacano communication system: a socio-linguistic heritage.

• Main Authors: Dela Dingco, Eunice, De Leon, Patrick, Roque, Michelle Velarde
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Chabacano language; Spanish language > Dialects > Philippines.; European Languages and Societies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10314
• Institution: De La Salle University

The heritage of a people is of paramaount importance and concern to them since this is an authentic measure of their cultural growth and maturation. One's traditions and beliefs are his vitals links to the past and future. Communication bridges the gap between one's real and presumed identity. This study deals primarily on the socio-linguistic heritage of the people of Ternate, Cavite. It highlights the external and internal influences that made possible the emergence of what is now the Chavacano language. Similarly, it takes into consideration the roots of various socio-religious activities being observed by the past present generations of Ternatenos. In a nutshell, the research presents an interplay of all such factors that sum-up the Chavacano communication systems. This research focuses on the prominent traces of the socio-linguistic heritage from Spain left in the Chavacano language. The researchers wish to answer what is reflected in the three systems of communication: verbal, extra-verbal and non-verbal of the Ternaternos in Cavite. This includes the grammatical structure in the Tagalog and Spanish languges and socio-religious activities followed by young and adult Ternatenos. The data presented in this paper was made possible through the use of the descriptive method of research. Through this method, the researchers presented how the Spaniards influenced the Filipino people in their socio-linguistic heritage. This presentation was based on the surveys and interviews which conducted by the researchers. With the verbal and extra-verbal systems of communication of the Chavacanos, the researchers found out that spelling of word change as well as the way they are pronounced. The usage of nouns and verbs are also changed. Lastly the shortening and the combining of Spanish words. With the non-verbal, it was clearly shown that the celebration of different occasions is greatly influenced by the Spaniards. There are several socio-religious activities that are observed by the Ternateños namely: New Year, Karakot, Lent, Santacruzan, Feast of San Juan de Bautista, All Saints' Day, Christmas, Bathing of the patron saint Sto. Niño, Lipat and Cumparsa. These occasions reflect a merging of Tagalog and Spanish characters. The researchers were able to determine that the Chavacano language indeed sprouted from the Spanish dialect. They also found out that the Chavacano language is slowly fading in the younger Ternatenos because the elders no longer use the language. Nevertheless, the culture, traditions and special events, which the Ternatenos adopted from the Spaniards, remain powerful. However, the overlapping of cultural influences of the Filipinos caused the variety of ways in celebrating certain occasions. In general, the traces of Spanish culture in the Chavacano communication system are intensely influenced by our Spanish colonizers. The Ternatenos in Cavite proved that indeed Chavacanos is a mixture of Spanish and Tagalog languages.