Appendix:Cebuano spellings

This appendix discusses standard Cebuano spellings, which follows the Lagda sa Espeling by Bisaya magazine, and adopted by Cebuano-language publications as well as Cebuano multilingual education (MLE) materials by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VII. Spellings following the Lagda are being promoted by the provincial government of Cebu through the Komisyon Probinsyal sa Sinugboanong Dila (KPSD, or the Provincial Commission on the Cebuano Language) for written Cebuano.

Respelling of consonants and diphthongs of foreign loanwords observe the rules on Mga Lagda sa Sinugboanong Panitik; Binisaya-Sinugboanon nga Batadila by Cesar P. Kilaton, which is also adopted by Bisaya. However, most publications prefer using mya, rya, sya, syo and syon for most cases; such spellings are considered alternative forms to their standard form.

For comparison, the Cebuano standard spelling leans closely to the Tagalog spelling rules by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), with some slight differences. This is apparent in loanwords and affixed words. Cebuano spellings generally only uses the letters of Abakada alphabet, with the exception of proper nouns and genericized trademarks. Words using foreign letters or spellings are required to be italicized, but this is often overlooked as well.

O and U
(Lagda rule 1)

For native words (including precolonial loans), U is used in initial and medial syllables, while O is used in final syllables.


 * In initial syllables


 * In medial syllables


 * In final syllables

I vs E
(Lagda rule 2)

I is used in all native vocabulary except the words, , and



O and U, and affixes
(Lagda rule 3)

O is generally retained in affixed forms of root words. This is in contrast to the spelling rule in Tagalog set by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, where it is generally changed to U. Examples:


 * In initial syllables

Vowels and contractions
(Lagda rule 4)

Final vowels are generally kept in contracted forms. Apostrophes are no longer to be used and the contracted word is suffixed to the preceding word. Examples:


 * g (long form:   )
 * ng (long form:   )
 * g (long form:   )

Reduplication
(Lagda rules 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 6C)

U in initial syllable is kept in partially reduplicated words:



In case of words from reduplicated syllables, rules on U and O, and I and E is observed:



In case of reduplicated rootwords, rule 1 and 2 applies as well. Such are to be written with a hyphen (-):



Some terms that are reduplicated are considered single words and are not to be written with hyphen. Rule 1 also applies:



Some terms that are considered specific terms for an object, animal or place will also follow the rule on reduplications that are considered single words.



Unadapted borrowings
(Lagda rule 7A)

Unadapted borrowings (direktang paghulam), that is, loanwords not altered or respelled to conform to Cebuano phonology and spelling should be written in italics. Examples:


 * fan (from English. Cebuano equivalent: )
 * buena familia (from Spanish)

Adapted borrowings
(Lagda rule 7B)

Adapted borrowings (di[li] direktang paghulam), that is, loanwords altered or respelled to conform to Cebuano phonology should retain their vowels. Foreign sounds are replaced by their equivalents reflecting their realization under native Cebuano phonology. This rule exclude proper nouns and genericized trademarks. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )

English or Spanish in origin?
(Lagda rule 7K)

In case an English term that can be borrowed has a Spanish cognate of the same sense, Cebuano prefers to borrow the Spanish.


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

Foreign UO
(Lagda rule 7D)

In case of loanwords containing UO, O is used for the Cebuano.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

Older borrowings
(Lagda rule 7E)

Earlier loanwords have been corrupted or consistently written differently in Cebuano so their original etymon is not readily obvious. Such words are no longer to be respelled so to reveal their etymology.


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

E and EY for English long A
(Lagda rule 7G)

Cebuano uses E or EY to respell the English long A


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

E before English S followed by consonant
(Lagda rule 7H)

E is added to respellings of English borrowings starting with S before other consonants. This contrasts with the Tagalog rule where I is used instead, reserving ES to Spanish.


 * (from English, cf. Tagalog )
 * (from English, cf. Tagalog )

English Y pronounced /i/
(Lagda rule 7I)

English Y is respelled to Cebuano I when pronounced /i/


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

I and English EE
(Lagda rule 7L)

English EE is respelled to Cebuano I when pronounced /i/.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )

-iyo for English -iew
(Lagda rule 7M)

English -iew is respelled to Cebuano I when pronounced /i/, except where the preceding consonant follows a vowel, where the I is deleted.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

-u for English -ue
(Lagda rule 7N)

English -ue is respelled to Cebuano -u when pronounced /u/ or /ju/.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

-yum for English -ium
(Lagda rule 7Ng)

English -ium is respelled to Cebuano -yum.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

-os for English -ous
(Lagda rule 7O)

English -ous is respelled to Cebuano -os.


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

Simplified spelling
(Lagda rules 7P and 7R)

Simplified spelling (simplipikadong paagi) attempts to bring spelling of words more closer to their original source. This generally applies to:


 * Spanish borrowings which would be too short or unwieldy if to observe all the previous rules discussed above. This is done with Spanish loanwords with ie or ei, where the I is removed. Such spellings are permitted as alternative forms. Examples:
 * , instead of *gobiyerno (from Spanish )
 * , instead or (from Spanish )
 * English words respelled to reflect a Cebuano speaker's pronunciation:
 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )

Coinages
(Lagda rules 8A and 8B)

Coinages both from native and foreign roots should follow rules regarding vowels

B for V
V in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano B. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

K for C
C in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano K. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

KE for QUE
QUE in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano KE. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

KI for QUI
QUI in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano KI. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

KS for X
X in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano KS. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish or English )

KUWA for CUA
CUA in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano KUWA. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

KUWE for CUE
CUE in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano KUWE. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

DY for J
J in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano DY. Examples:


 * (from English )
 * (from English )

DY for English soft G
The "soft" G (/d͡ʒ/) in English loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano DY. Examples:


 * (from English )

H for Spanish G or J
H is generally used to transcribe Spanish G (before E and I) and J. Examples:


 * Spanish G before E or I to Cebuano H
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )


 * Spanish J to Cebuano H
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

Spanish H is not pronounced, so they are omitted when borrowed into Cebuano.


 * Spanish H
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

J for Boholano J
J is specifically used for Boholano pronunciation of General Cebuano Y.


 * (Standard )
 * (Standard )
 * (Standard )
 * (Standard )

L for English LL
English LL is generally respelled to Cebuano L. Examples:


 * (from English )
 * (from English )
 * (from English )

LY for Spanish LL
Spanish LL is generally respelled to Cebuano LY. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

M for Spanish N before fricatives
Spanish N before fricatives is generally respelled to Cebuano M. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

mya for mia
mia is generally respelled to Cebuano mya. One exception is. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

myo for mio
mio is generally respelled to Cebuano myo

NY for Spanish Ñ and nea
Spanish Ñ and nea is generally respelled to Cebuano NY. This excludes proper nouns. Exceptions to this rule is (from Spanish ). Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

niya for Spanish nia/nía
Spanish nía is generally respelled to Cebuano niya. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

P for F
F in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano P. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

R for RR
RR in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano R. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

riya for foreign ria following E or O
ria following an E or O in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano riya. This includes where the Spanish has ría. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

rya for foreign ria following A, and E or O on two-syllable words
ria following an A in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano rya. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

ria following an E in loanwords is also replaced by Cebuano rya where the word only has two syllables. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )

S for C, Z, and X
C following I and E in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano S. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

Z in loanwords is also replaced by Cebuano S. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

X in loanwords is replaced by Cebuano C in certain cases. Examples:


 * (from genericized trademark xerox)

siya for foreign cia/tia following consonant
cia or tia following a consonant in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano siya. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

sya for foreign cia/tia following vowel
cia or tia following a vowel in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano sya. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

siyo for foreign cio/tio
cio or tio following a consonant in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano siyo. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

syo for foreign cio/tio following vowel
cio or tio following a vowel in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano syo. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

siyon for foreign cion/tion
Spanish cio or English tio following a consonant is generally replaced by Cebuano siyon. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

syon for Spanish ción and English tion following vowel
Spanish ción and sión or English tion following a vowel is generally replaced by Cebuano syon. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

TS for CH
CH is generally replaced by Cebuano TS. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

AY for foreign AE/AI
AI or AE in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano AY. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

AW for foreign AO/AU
The O or U in the diphthongs AO or AU in loanwords is generally replaced by Cebuano AW. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English or Spanish auto)
 * (from Spanish )

EYA for EA
The diphthong EA is generally transcribed into Cebuano EYA. This stands in contrast to Tagalog, where it is generally retained, and the EYA spelling treated as variants. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

EYO for EO
The diphthong EO is generally transcribed into Cebuano EYO. This stands in contrast to Tagalog, where it is generally retained. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

EYU for EU
The diphthong EU is generally rewritten into Cebuano EYU. This stands in contrast to Tagalog, where it is generally retained. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )

IYA for foreign IA
A Y is generally inserted into the diphthong IA in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

Exceptions
If the diphthong is preceded by the letter S in the Cebuano transcription and is actually preceded by a vowel, the "I" is no longer kept.


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

There are foreign loanwords, where transcribed into Cebuano, should no longer retain the “I”.


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

IYE for foreign IE
A Y is generally inserted into the diphthong IE in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

IYO for foreign IO
A Y is generally inserted into the diphthong IO in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

IYU for foreign IU
A Y is generally inserted into the diphthong IU in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )

SYU for CEU
Foreign CEU is transcribed into SEU. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )

UWA for foreign UA
A W is generally inserted into the diphthong UA in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

UWE for foreign UE
A W is generally inserted into the diphthong UE in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

UWI for foreign UI
A W is generally inserted into the diphthong UI in loanwords. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from English )

UY for foreign UE
Alternatively, the diphthong UE in loanwords can be replaced with UY. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )

UYA for foreign UIA
The triphthong UIA in loanwords should be replaced with UYA. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )

YO for foreign IO
The diphthong IO in loanwords can be transcribed with YO. Examples:


 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )
 * (from Spanish )