salaysay

Salaysay is a term used in Filipino linguistics and discourse to denote a narrative or account of events. It encompasses both oral storytelling and written prose and can refer to a personal recount, a historical chronicle, or a sworn statement used as evidence in legal settings. The word derives from Tagalog roots associated with saying or relating, and in practice salaysay functions as both the act of narrating and the product—a narrative, report, or testimony.

In literary contexts, salaysay denotes the narrative portion of a text that conveys events in chronological order, often emphasizing the sequence and causal connections. It is distinct from sanaysay (an essay) and from kuwento (a short story), though overlap exists in everyday use. Educationally, teachers may assign a salaysay to develop skills in description, organization, and voice, asking students to present facts or experiences in a coherent, engaging manner.

In legal contexts in the Philippines, a salaysay can mean a sworn statement or declaration by a person with knowledge of the facts. Such salaysay is often used as evidence in investigations and court proceedings and must be made under oath, with proper attestation of the declarant’s identity and the circumstances of the testimony.

The concept of salaysay thus intersects language, literature, and law, reflecting how Filipinos narrate experiences, report events, and formalize testimony within social institutions.