Conyo - a linguistic phenomenon in the Philippines - Kahibalo Foundation
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Tusok-tusok on what is Conyo. Conyo talk in the Philippines

The Philippines has been shaped by a mixture of indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization, Chinese trade and migration, American influence… And more recently, globalization. This has resulted in a multifaceted and dynamic culture with various languages, traditions, and customs in the country. One linguistic aspect of contemporary Philippine culture is Conyo talk.

Colonial influences

Conyo is one of the many words that have taken a whole new meaning in comparison to their Spanish originals. Aside from its original meaning (Spanish coño means cunt and is a popular curse word), the word Conyo now refers to a contemporary code-switching language. Although it has no direct connection to its original Spanish meaning, it is very reminiscent of the Spanish colonial times. According to Garvida (2012) from Ryerson University, this common Spanish exclamation was picked up by Filipinos during the Spanish colonization. They used it to refer to Spaniards and people with fair skin who lived in exclusive neighbourhoods. Over the years it has eventually gained a completely new meaning that we know today. 

Make it fun!

In Conyo talk, similarly to Taglish, you will still hear speakers seamlessly switch between English and Filipino. But unlike Taglish, Conyo prioritizes English. It is because the latter is still the main language of trending topics. Especially in fashion, pop culture, and other content coming from the West. And it is mixed in a fussy way with Filipino. So, in a typical Conyo conversation, instead of main Filipino mixed with English as in Taglish, English is dominantly used. It sometimes includes insertion of unnecessary Filipino words or phrases.

For example, instead of saying “Are you still gonna go to Jessa’s house later? I’m a bit tired”, one may say “Are you still gonna make dayun to Jessa’s house? I’m a bit kapoy”. The words ‘dayun’ and ‘kapoy’ are Filipino (Cebuano) words for “going to” and “tired”, respectively. As a result, the insertion of Filipino words into otherwise English-dominated sentences usually gives a humorous, exaggerated, and sometimes obnoxious effect. It is especially weird to non-conyo speaking Filipinos. 

Is it because of the lack of language proficiency?

It is still unclear when exactly this linguistic phenomenon emerged. Nevertheless, the term has since set its foundation in the contemporary Filipino language. It is often associated with upper-class urban youth who speak predominantly English and have (usually) limited proficiency in Filipino. However, it does not necessarily mean the conyo speaker is proficient in both languages. It often boils down to their comfort level with a particular language for self-expression, even if they know the Filipino word for it exists. 

In fact, conyo talk not only has Filipino word insertions but also incorporates simplified words and grammatical errors which contribute to the playful tone of the conversation. The flow of the dialogue is the one given the priority over strict grammatical rules. For instance, “Let’s make tawag her later” wherein ‘tawag’ translates to “call” which is already a verb making the word “make” unnecessary. 

The “language” of “chosen”?

 Interestingly, over time, Conyo talk eventually gained its own slang words. Examples of Conyo slang are ‘carps’ and ‘frogs’ which means “Are you going?/Will you be joining?” and “Get well soon”, respectively. As a result of its humorous nature, it’s not unusual that non-conyo speaking Filipinos would intentionally speak it to either poke fun at themselves or at the stereotypical conyo image in a lighthearted manner. 

It’s a common satirical content in Filipino social media and a funny way to communicate with friends jokingly. However, due to this unique linguistic style, it has established its distinct social identity. It is often related to a sense of sophistication and being part of an exclusive social circle. In fact, it is common to hear Conyo talk in posh or high-end settings.

Conyo talk – in a search of identity

These all aspects have sparked debates and discussions. Some argue that this perpetuates societal divisions that create a sense of elitism. On the other hand, it is challenging Philippine language(s) preservation and cultural assimilation. On the other spectrum, people argue that it simply depicts how a language constitutes a dynamic part of culture. Which, truth to be told, is inevitable in a society shaped by globalization and cross-cultural interactions in the country.

In any case, Conyo talk remains a unique and fascinating linguistic phenomenon. Not without a reason it occurs in the Philippines, where there are 182 ethnolinguistic groups mingling together on 7641 islands. That reflects the complexities of Filipino language(s), identities, and social dynamics in one country. And by adding the external influences caused by globalization, this mix is a ticking cultural bomb.


Author: Azize A. Sabellana (USC’s student)

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