Multilingual Situation in Zamboanga City: Native and Nonnative Chavacano Speakers' Experiences and Perspectives

Authors

  • Abee M. Eijansantos

    College of Education and Liberal Arts, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Zamboanga  City 7000, Philippines
  • Fhadzralyn L. Aidil-Karanain

    College of Teacher Education, Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines
  • Larry J. Ambion

    San Beda University, San Miguel, Manila 1005, Philippines
  • Sharon K. Galang

    College of Education and Liberal Arts, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines
  • Manuel R. Tanpoco

    De La Salle University, Manila 1004, Philippines
  • Frenz Djaxxas D. Clorion

    College of Teacher Education, Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines
  • Lovelle Diocess S. Lauzon

    Mindanao State University, Sulu 7400, Philippines
  • Ericson O. Alieto

    College of Teacher Education, Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines
  • Rubén González Vallejo

    University of Malaga, El Ejido/Teatinos, 29071 Malaga, Spain
  • Richard M. Rillo

    Centro Escolar University, Manila 1008, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i6.6847
Received: 7 August 2024 | Revised: 17 August 2024 | Accepted: 14 November 2024 | Published Online: 12 December 2024

Abstract

This paper aimed to describe the multilingual situation in the city, where consultants from three (3) ethnic groups were interviewed via focus group discussions—namely, Muslim, Visayan, and native speakers of Zamboanga Chavacano. To address the objective at hand, the data were gathered and analyzed qualitatively and thematically, after being selected purposively, three (3) native speakers of Chavacano, five (5) Muslim speakers of the same language, and three (3) Visayan speakers of the same language became consultants. Language ecology theory (Haugen, 1971) frames the current investigation. Different themes were generated for each of the ethnic groups. The five themes generated from the Muslim speakers of Chavacano are Linguistic Repertoire, Language of the Community, Language Learning, Variation in Speaking, and Status of Language Domains. Language, Multilingualism, and Language Use are the three (3) themes from the Visayan speakers of Chavacano, whereas from the native speakers of Chavacano, Languages Spoken, Learned, and Used, English vs Tagalog, Language Use in Varied Domains and Situations, and Variation in Use are the four (4) themes found. Furthermore, convergent themes were likewise consolidated: Code-switching, Lingua Franca, Intermarriages, Languages in the Socmed Platforms, Language Acquisition/Learning by Children, Methods for Learning and Using Language, and Language(s) Used in the Community. Additionally, an insider’s position on the multilingual situation in the city is provided. The current analyses may serve as a point of departure for other inquirers with an identical interest relative to the multilinguistic situation in Zamboanga City.

Keywords:

Multilingualism; Chavacano; Zamboanga City; Muslim and Visayan Speakers of Chavacano

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How to Cite

Eijansantos, A. M., Aidil-Karanain, F. L., Ambion, L. J., Galang, S. K., Tanpoco, M. R., Clorion, F. D. D., S. Lauzon, L. D., Alieto, E. O., Vallejo, R. G., & Rillo, R. M. (2024). Multilingual Situation in Zamboanga City: Native and Nonnative Chavacano Speakers’ Experiences and Perspectives. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(6), 897–914. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i6.6847

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Vol. 6 , Iss. 6 (December 2024)

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Copyright © 2024 Moussa Diagne Faye, Vini Yves Bernadin Loyara, Amadou Keita, Mamadou Diop, Angelbert Chabi Biaou, Mahamadou Koita, Hamma Yacouba

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