Baybay language


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-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.

Classification

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

Locations

Utudnon is spoken by about 10,000 people in 5 barangays of Baybay municipality, central Leyte, namely Utúd, Gábas, Kilím, Pátag, and Pangasúgan.