Kapampangan Words of American English Origin
Happy 4th of July to our American friends & followers! Kapampángans are probably one of the most American-influenced ethnic groups in the Philippines, as Pampanga was the site of Clark Air Base, the largest overseas United States Air Force Base in the world before the eruption of nearby Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
Americans have left a significant influence on the modern culture and language of Kapampángans & Filipinos after the American colonial era of the Philippines from 1898 to 1946. This can be seen with the constant code-switching between English and the native languages of the Philippines in everyday communication.
Some English loanwords in the local languages have even undergone a change in meaning as Kapampángans & Filipinos made them their own vocabulary. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
- Jo – (pronounced like the English word jaw) is an informal Kapampangan term of address for friends and acquaintances. Possible etymology: Joe (an ordinary man).
- Borles – (informal Kapampangan) to strip off clothing, and go naked/nude.
- Islang – (informal Kapampangan and Tagalog) speaking with an American English accent.
- Bilib – (informal Kapampangan and Tagalog) amazed, impressive.
- Wais – (informal Kapampangan and Tagalog) clever, crafty, cunning.
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