By Hader Glang
So that the people may know: A statement on
"Zamboanga City as Asia's Latin City" moniker issue
The Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) collectively manifests its objection to the branding of Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City" for the following reasons:
1. Zamboanga was never colonized by the Roman Empire whose citizens were predominantly composed of the Latins, the original inhabitants of the ancient place known historically as Latium, in Central Italy (not Latin America).
2. The dialect Chabacano is not Latin. Latin was the language of the ancient inhabitants of Latium which later on became the language of the Roman Empire and subsequently the liturgical language of the Catholic Church. While Chabacano, according to a published research project, is composed of about 70% Spanish and the rest, a combination of several native dialects. It is a term given to Spanish without grammar and other qualifying characteristics of a language. Spanish and the other languages which evolved from Latin such as, Italian, French, Romanian, Catalan, Rhaeto-Romanic, Sardinian, Provencal and Portuguese are classified as Romance Languages not Latin although they evolved from this Italic language.
3. As stated above, Chabacano which is about 70% Spanish is not linguistically classified Spanish or Latin and should not be used as the primary justification for the branding of Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City." Chabacano is just like a dialect not a language and therefore, can't be raised to the linguistic status of Latin for purposes of systematic comparison and analysis.
4. Latin can't be generally applied linguistically to the multi-cultural and multi-sectarian inhabitants of Zamboanga City who are composed of the native Sama, Subanen, Tausug, and others ethnic inhabitants and migrants coming from different parts of our country. Latin although, linguistically considered dead, remains to be the official language of the Holy See and still used as scientific names in Biology and Astronomy at present.
5. The Latins were not the native inhabitants of Latin America which was discovered by Italian voyager Christopher Columbus for the Crown of Spain. The Latins were a tribe of people who settled on the hilltops above the banks of the Tiber River in the land now called Italy, specifically Latium known today as modern Lazio. The indigenous inhabitants of Latin America, on the other hand, are the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs who are very different and distinct from the native Zamboangueños in terms of dialects, culture, and history.
6. Chabacano is not only spoken in Zamboanga City, but also in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City, Cotabato City, Basilan, Dipolog City, and even in Cavite City in Luzon, debunking the claim that Chabacano is unique to Zamboanga City.
7. The most objectionable part of this act of branding Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City," was the fact that it was launched first and later on legalized by the passage of Resolution No. 760, without barangay-to-barangay or sectoral public consultation and serious scholarly discussion as to its appropriateness and relevance to our culture and history. Idiomatically, it was a classic legislative case of "putting the cart before the horse."
In view of these foregoing reasons, the IPZ respectfully request the Honorable Members of the City Council of Zamboanga to conduct a legislative review of Resolution No. 760, to determine the historical and cultural relevance and appropriateness of this new moniker for Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City."
The IPZ look forward to the favorable consideration of the request by the Honorable Councilors of Zamboanga City, traditionally and endearingly called since time immemorial as the "City of Flowers," derived from the Malayan word "Jambangan" according to noted historians.
For comments and suggestions, please e-mail at hader.glang@gmail.com or contact/text at mobile phone # 09203145750
1. Zamboanga was never colonized by the Roman Empire whose citizens were predominantly composed of the Latins, the original inhabitants of the ancient place known historically as Latium, in Central Italy (not Latin America).
2. The dialect Chabacano is not Latin. Latin was the language of the ancient inhabitants of Latium which later on became the language of the Roman Empire and subsequently the liturgical language of the Catholic Church. While Chabacano, according to a published research project, is composed of about 70% Spanish and the rest, a combination of several native dialects. It is a term given to Spanish without grammar and other qualifying characteristics of a language. Spanish and the other languages which evolved from Latin such as, Italian, French, Romanian, Catalan, Rhaeto-Romanic, Sardinian, Provencal and Portuguese are classified as Romance Languages not Latin although they evolved from this Italic language.
3. As stated above, Chabacano which is about 70% Spanish is not linguistically classified Spanish or Latin and should not be used as the primary justification for the branding of Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City." Chabacano is just like a dialect not a language and therefore, can't be raised to the linguistic status of Latin for purposes of systematic comparison and analysis.
4. Latin can't be generally applied linguistically to the multi-cultural and multi-sectarian inhabitants of Zamboanga City who are composed of the native Sama, Subanen, Tausug, and others ethnic inhabitants and migrants coming from different parts of our country. Latin although, linguistically considered dead, remains to be the official language of the Holy See and still used as scientific names in Biology and Astronomy at present.
5. The Latins were not the native inhabitants of Latin America which was discovered by Italian voyager Christopher Columbus for the Crown of Spain. The Latins were a tribe of people who settled on the hilltops above the banks of the Tiber River in the land now called Italy, specifically Latium known today as modern Lazio. The indigenous inhabitants of Latin America, on the other hand, are the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs who are very different and distinct from the native Zamboangueños in terms of dialects, culture, and history.
6. Chabacano is not only spoken in Zamboanga City, but also in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City, Cotabato City, Basilan, Dipolog City, and even in Cavite City in Luzon, debunking the claim that Chabacano is unique to Zamboanga City.
7. The most objectionable part of this act of branding Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City," was the fact that it was launched first and later on legalized by the passage of Resolution No. 760, without barangay-to-barangay or sectoral public consultation and serious scholarly discussion as to its appropriateness and relevance to our culture and history. Idiomatically, it was a classic legislative case of "putting the cart before the horse."
In view of these foregoing reasons, the IPZ respectfully request the Honorable Members of the City Council of Zamboanga to conduct a legislative review of Resolution No. 760, to determine the historical and cultural relevance and appropriateness of this new moniker for Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City."
The IPZ look forward to the favorable consideration of the request by the Honorable Councilors of Zamboanga City, traditionally and endearingly called since time immemorial as the "City of Flowers," derived from the Malayan word "Jambangan" according to noted historians.
For comments and suggestions, please e-mail at hader.glang@gmail.com or contact/text at mobile phone # 09203145750
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