Gamay

I've been in the Visayas for more than a year now but I still have not learned to speak their language.  In a profile that I have in another website, I mentioned that people should chat with me in a language that I understand because I really don't know how to converse in Bisaya.  And sometimes, I would have to debate with people that Cebuano is a language and not a dialect. Imagine, people who live in that island still think that their language is a dialect?  Anyways, that's not what this blog is all about.  

I really don't know why I didn't learn the language.  Maybe it was because of my stubborness or I was just not interested to learn.  A few days ago, I met Lukayo.  He spent 5 weeks in Cebu for work.  And I think he knows more Bisaya than I do. How embarrassing is that!?!

But my knowledge isn't really ZERO.  I learned a few words in order to get by and survive in a culture that is somehow very anti-Metro Manila. I also have Cebuano friends from whom I learned a few words.  As they say in Bisaya, "kasabot ko pero gamay."

What words/expressions do I know in this language which is spoken by more Filipinos in the country?

I know how to count up to 10. "usa, duha, tulo, upat, lima, unom, pito, walo, siyam, napu"

I know how to pay my jeepney fare:  "bayad" or "pliti"

I know how to say please:  "palihug"

I know how to say para: "lugar lang"

I know how to ask for the price of an item: "pila ni?"

I know the different panghalip pananong in Bisaya:  what= "unsa,"  why= "nanuman,"  who= "kinsa,"   where= "asa"

I know how to say i love you:  "gihigugma kita"

I know how to say thank you:  "daghang salamat" or "salamat kaayo"

I know how to say im very tired:  "kapoy kaayo"

I know how to say big and small: "dako" and "gamay"

Hmmm... I think I still know a few words but I have to be there so that I could remember them. But for now, the words above are my survival tools in Sugbu.

Ayo ayo mga bai!