Siwala

Siwala A few days ago, it was World Voice Day, devoted to the celebration of the phenomenon of voice, and to increase awareness of the importance of the voice and alertness to voice problems. Here are the two Kapampángan words for “voice”, one of which is a Sanskrit loanword while the other is a Spanish … Read more

Dikut

Dikut How do you say “grass” in your language? DIKUT • (di-KOOT)grass, weedTagálog (Filipino): damó Derived WordMADIKUT • (muh-di-KOOT)grassy, full of grass or weedsTagálog (Filipino): madamó KARIKUTAN • (kuh-ri-koo-TUHN)grassland, any place full of grassTagálog (Filipino): damuhán Derived CompoundBÁBING DIKUT • (BAH-bing di-KOOT)wild boar (literally “grass pig”)Tagálog (Filipino): báboy-ramó You may want to read: Philippine Broom

Ate

While most Filipinos know the word “ate” in Tagalog as “older sister”, a similar word (although stressed differently) in Kapampángan refers to a completely different thing—liver! ATÉ • (uh-TEH)liverTagálog (Filipino): atáy Kapampángan:ATÉ • (uh-TEH)liverTagálog (Filipino): atáy Tagálog (Filipino):ÁTE • (AH-teh)older sisterKapampángan: achî / atsî Note that these two words have different stressed syllables (2nd syllable … Read more

Lawu

Lawu A solar eclipse will be visible in Southeast Asia & Australia today! In Kapampángan mythology, eclipses are caused by a monster that swallows the sun or moon, and a total eclipse means that famine is expected! How do you say ‘eclipse’ in your language? LÁWÛ • (LAH-woo’)eclipseTagálog (Filipino): láhò (modern common usage: “disappear, fade”) … Read more