WarayWaray

Waray-Waray, also known as Waray, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines. It is the primary language of the Eastern Visayas region, especially on the islands of Samar and Leyte, with smaller communities in nearby islands and among the Filipino diaspora.

Classification: It belongs to the Visayan branch of the Central Philippine languages within the Malayo-Polynesian family. It is related to other Visayan languages such as Hiligaynon and Cebuano, though mutual intelligibility is limited.

Geographic distribution and speakers: Waray-Waray is spoken by several million people in its core region. It functions in local government, media, and daily life, and coexists with Filipino and English in education and public life.

Dialects and varieties: The language has regional varieties, commonly described as Northern Waray and Southern Waray, with differences in pronunciation and vocabulary across Leyte, Samar, and Biliran.

Writing system: Waray is written using the Latin alphabet and has loanwords from Spanish, English, and Filipino, reflecting centuries of contact and exchange.

Cultural role: Waray literature, music, and theater are important components of local culture, with a rich tradition of oral poetry and songs. Waray-language broadcasts and publications support regional identity and community cohesion.

Names and self-designation: Speakers may refer to themselves as Waray, and the language as Waray-Waray or simply Waray.