How To Pronunce Aklanon Words

by Melchor F. Cichon
Updated: August 21, 2007

If you can pronounce these simple words, you are an Aklanon. If not, you really need this lesson.

Try these.

But before that, pronounce first the words at the Hiligaynon column then pronounce their Aklanon equivalents.

Hiligaynon... Aklanon

Balay.......... Baeay

Kasal...........Kasae

Bongol.........Bongoe

Sugal.......... Sugae

Balo.......... Baeo

How did you find them?

Very easy, right?

But if not, do not worry.

Just follow the simple instruction that I will provide later. Very soon you will learn how to speak Aklanon as if you were a native of Aklan.

In the above examples, when you said , Balay, Kasal, Bongol, Balo and Sugal, you would have noticed that your tongue lifted up as you pronounced the letter L.

Now say Balo again.

Or just the letter L.

Now say the letter E. If you will not move or lift your tongue as you pronounce the letter E in the Aklanon column, then you will be able to pronounce the Aklanon words as if you were an Aklanon.

Did you notice the movement of your tongue?

You would also have noticed that the letter L in the above words in the Hiligaynon Column were changed to letter E in the Aklanon Column.

Generally this is the case.

The Letter L in the Hiligaynon words are changed to E.

But not always.

In Aklanon there are words that have letter L like Bala (bullet), Balete (a town in Aklan), Balde (bucket).

My theory is that the pre-Spanish Aklanon words have no letter L.

As you go along, you will notice that many Aklanon words with letter L are not native Aklanon words. Hence we have balde, bilding, bala, pusil, etc. These are all foreign words.