Visayan Languages
Visayan is the name of the language family In the central islands of the Philippines. It is also know as Bisaya, as technically there is no "C" in the alphabet. Visayan is comprised of several distinct languages.
Cebuano (Sugbuhanon) is the major language in the Visayan islands. It is the language of the Cebu province. It is also spoken in Negros Oriental, Bohol, and parts of Mindanao. Approximately 16 million, (25% of the population) speak Cebuano. Many people refer to Cebuano as Visayan, because Cebuano is the most prominent language in the Visayas region.
Hiligaynon, or Ilonggo is spoken in Iloilo and Capiz provinces, Negros Occidental, and Panay. About 7 million people (10% of the Philippine population) speak Hiligaynon.
Waray-Waray is spoken in Northern and eastern Samar-Leyte. Approximately 3 million people (4.6% of the population) speak Waray-Waray.
Porohanon is spoken on the Camotes Islands, just east of the Cebu Island. Approximately 23,000 speakers. This language is closer to Hiligaynon than Cebuano.
See the Visayan map.
The Cebuano Language SoftwareŠ contains a database of Cebuano/English words. It was updated October 15, of 2004. Currently, over 7,950 words are in the dictionary that can be translated to either language. Approximately 1,000 of the most common words have sound. You can hear these words in the language learning lessons and dictionary. The dictionary has two modes, one for only Visayan words that are spoken, and another mode that contains all the words - with and without sound. In addition, many map locations are spoken.
Cebuano Phrases
RealPlayer Audio
