The Ongoing Debate on Visayan Spelling
The spelling of Binisaya (Cebuano) has long been a subject of contention among linguists, writers, and publishers. At the heart of the matter is the use of the vowels 'u' and 'o', which has sparked multiple theories and standards over the decades. This article revisits the historical efforts to unify spelling conventions and examines the current state of the debate.
Theory of Pronunciation-Based Spelling
One prominent theory is the pronunciation-based approach, championed by Ernesto Lariosa, former language consultant for Superbalita Cebu. He advocates the principle 'We spell as we pronounce,' emphasizing that the vowel 'o' is soft and 'u' is hard. However, critics argue that this method lacks a solid foundation in Binisaya and leads to inconsistency, as pronunciation varies across regions. For instance, in Bohol, speakers tend to use 'u' exclusively due to their hard pronunciation style.
Tomás V. Hermosisima, in his 1964 article 'Ang Samokan Nga O ug U,' criticized this approach, stating that it places spelling at the mercy of individual writers and fails to achieve a standardized system. He argued that such a method only adds to the confusion rather than resolving it.
The Akademiya Sa Dilang Bisaya Standard
The third and most established theory is the spelling standard developed by the former Akademiya Sa Dilang Bisaya (AKADABA). This convention was created to unify the chaotic spelling of Binisaya, particularly regarding 'u' and 'o'. It was supported by former President Carlos P. Garcia and Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez as patrons, and involved editors from major publications like Bisaya, Silaw, and Alimyon.
A key feature of this standard is its respect for borrowed words. It dictates that vowels in loanwords from Spanish, English, and other languages should remain unchanged, while consonants may be adjusted. For example, Spanish 'filosofo' becomes 'pilosopo', and English 'police' becomes 'polis'. This contrasts sharply with the pronunciation-based approach, which would produce forms like 'negusyante' for 'negosyante' (businessperson) and 'ilimintarya' for 'elementarya' (elementary).
Another important aspect is the preservation of root word spelling in affixed words. For instance, 'handom' (memory) with affixes becomes 'halandomon', not altering the root vowel. This maintains etymological clarity and distinguishes Binisaya from Filipino/Tagalog, where roots may change in affixed forms.
Historical Context of Spelling Standardization
Efforts to standardize Binisaya spelling began in the early 20th century. Don Vicente Sotto, publisher of the first Binisaya newspaper 'Ang Suga' (1901), admitted the difficulty of writing in Binisaya due to heavy Spanish influence and lack of consistency. Subsequent publications like Bisaya (1930), Silaw, Alimyon, and Bag-ong Suga each had their own spelling practices, leading to a fragmented landscape.
In response, AKADABA was formed with the goal of creating a unified standard. Its members, including editors Francisco Candia, Diosdado C. Mantalaba, and Laurean Unabia, met regularly at Garcia's home in Quezon City to draft the 'Lagda Sa Paggamit Sa U ug O' (Rules for Using U and O). This was published in Bisaya on July 15, 1987, as the official guide for all Binisaya writers.
Later, the 'Bag-ong Akademiya' (New Academy) was established in Cebu under leaders like Atty. Adelino Sitoy, Don Jesus P. Garcia Sr., and Atty. Cesar Kilaton. Kilaton authored 'Binisaya-Sinugbuanon Nga Batadila', which expanded on the AKADABA principles to include consonant usage. These rules were compiled into a book 'Mga Batakan sa Panitik Sa Binisaya-Sinugboanon' (Rules on Cebuano-Visayan Spelling), available online for easy access.
Contemporary Relevance and Challenges
In recent years, the Department of Education's Order No. 74 mandated the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in schools. This revived interest in standardizing Binisaya spelling. In 2011, the 'Unang Kongreso Sa Binisayang Pinulongan Sa Rehiyon 7' was held, where the Akademiyang Bisaya Foundation (ABF) passed a resolution endorsing the spelling system of Bisaya Magazine and the Akademiya's English-Cebuano Dictionary, with modifications to accommodate alternative spellings.
However, confusion persists. Despite Lariosa's stance on pronunciation-based spelling, Atty. Jesus Garcia, publisher of Sun*Star and chairman of ABF, supported the resolution endorsing the AKADABA system. This apparent contradiction raises questions about the consistency of policies within the same media organization.
Some call for a new convention or congress of editors and writers to resolve the issue. Yet, as this article argues, the fundamental conflict remains between the three theories: pronunciation-based, AKADABA standard, and the ad hoc practices of individual publications. Without a concerted effort to study and adopt the historical consensus, the spelling debate will continue to cycle without resolution.
In conclusion, the spelling of Binisaya is not a new problem but one that was previously addressed by the Akademiya Sa Dilang Bisaya. The challenge now is to revive and adapt that standard for modern use, especially in education and media. The legacy of past efforts should not be wasted; instead, it should serve as the foundation for a unified Binisaya orthography.
