Zambal

I've lived in the Philippines and can speak and understand Tagalog and Zambal.

Home floreta 2009

Prominent natives of Zambales, whom I have questioned, and who are familiar with the subject, affirm that the Negritos know only the dialect of the Zambal.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

The presence of several Zambal and halfbreeds in this village and its nearness to the Filipinos probably account for its being ahead of other villages in this as in other respects.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

One of them, the friar Esteban Martin, was the first to learn the Zambal dialect.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

The Zambal had nevertheless more religion than the inhabitants of other provinces.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

But the Zambal landowners, perhaps wanting money for a cockfight, would sell a small piece of land to some Ilokano who had saved a little money, and when he ran out of money he would sell a little more land, until finally the Ilokano owned it all.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

Zambales who have never personally come in contact with the Zambal but only with the Tagalog also speak Zambal with some slight variations, showing, too, that the movement of the Negritos has been southward away from the Zambal territory.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

Accompanied by Mr.J. Diamond, a photographer, the writer went in the latter part of April to Iba, Zambales, where a few days were spent in investigating the dialects of the Zambal people and in preparation for a trip to the interior.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

The Zambal themselves, owing to lack of communication between their towns, have developed three separate dialects, none of which has ever been deemed worthy of study and publication, as have the other native dialects of the Philippines.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed

Of twenty-five towns Zambal is the prevailing dialect of less than half.

Negritos of Zambales William Allan Reed