Latin Asia

Some bibliographic references about Latin Asia

2009-03-20T01:37:00.001-07:00

Spanish cultural influence in The Philippines

For the largest Latin Asian country Wikipedia offers a very interesting article titled Hispanic influence on Filipino culture where Philippines is describe like a Latin American country. There is a reference to British Arnold Toynbee about Philippines being "a Latin American country that was transported to Orient by a gigantic marine wave"

Direct link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_influence_on_Filipino_culture

Portuguese cultural influence in East Timor

There is one article about Tetum, the indigenous language of Timor Leste and co official with Portuguese, which has had a lot of Portuguese influence and included many Portuguese terms in it lexicon.

Direct link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetum_language

Links to Latin Asia

In Portuguese: Ásia Latina

In French: Asie latine

In Spanish: Asia Latina

In Tagalo: Asyang Latino

Other references:

Portuguese in East Timor

Latin Asia

2008-02-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

Latin Asia is one of the names given by some historians to the Roman Province of Asia in Asia Minor (Western Anatolia), today part of Turkey, also called Lesser Asia. It was the earliest Roman possession on the continent of Asia.

Currently, the expression Latin Asia (Asie Latine, not yet adopted in English) is mostly used by French academics to refer to French colonial possessions in Asia including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The use of the expression is also extended to The Philippines and East Timor. Lebanon is not included in these definitions despite the use in that country of the French language as for administrative purposes.

Latin Countries in Asia

Two countries in Asia have recognised their Latin culture, both countries are members of the Latin Union, these are East Timor and The Philippines.

Timor-Leste (East Timor) where the majority of the population speaks Tetun, a language that has borrowed a large number of Portuguese words as well as some of its grammar. The tradition of the Portuguese language in East Timor dates back more than 400 years, from the time when the first Portuguese explorers arrived in the island. As a consequence Portuguese is also the official languages of that country. In addition, East Timor is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth

Recently, East Timor Former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has used the expression Latin Asia to refer to the unique culture of his country: ”The prime minister invited the visiting executives to explore Timor-Leste and experience the unique 'Latin-Asia" culture that can be found here”

The Philippines which were ruled by Spain for three centuries until the arrival of the Americans in 1898 and where there are important Spanish-speaking populations. Several Spanish Creole languages are spoken in Philippines today, all them called Chavacano.

These are:

Chavacanos of Luzon:

Caviteño, spoken in Cavite.
Ternateño, spoken in Cavite.
Ermitaño, formerly spoken in Ermita, Manila, now extinct.

Chavacanos of Mindanao:

Zamboangueño (360,000 native speakers, the most spoken creole)
Cotabateño
Davaoeño

The Philippines is called Latin Asian in certain academic circles, such us the Catholic Church and certain NGO organizations.

Although in retreat for few decades due to the American influence, the Philippines is now using its Latin cultural influence as a commercial brand to differentiate its cities from any other Asian cities. The most representative case is Zamboanga City, which has been given the title of Asia’s Latin City. Some people even say that The Philippines is the only Latin Asian country.

Other asian countries

The Macau case

Macau can be regarded as part of Latin Asia up to certain extend; Portuguese is one of the official languages of Macau; street and all traffic signs are in both Portuguese and traditional Chinese languages, there are radio stations that broadcast in the Portuguese language and there are Portuguese language newspapers. In fact, the first newspaper in China was a Portuguese language newspaper founded in September 12, 1822 in Macau by Paulino Da Silva.

Although, the Portuguese language is becoming extinct in Macau and it is only spoken by the Macanese minority which comprises about 8,000 residents, Macau’s architecture maintains is Latin flavour.

The Portuguese influence in Macau is recognised by the authorities which also use it as commercial brand in their tourism industry.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos

These countries recognise the French influence in their culture and use it as commercial brand to promote their tourism and gastronomy.

Latin Asia gets closer to South America

2008-02-01T06:22:00.001-08:00

Brazil, East Timor sign deals on education, football
Posted : Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:39:05 GMT
Author : DPA

Brasilia - Brazil and East Timor signed several bilateral deals Wednesday, including the extension until 2010 of a programme whereby Brazilian teachers will help train colleagues in the fellow- Portuguese-speaking country. The agreements were signed in Brasilia, in the framework of a visit by East Timorese President Jose Ramos Horta to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"Our initiatives have a direct impact on the quality of life of the people of East Timor," Lula said in a press conference.

"The idea is to offer instruments so that men and women (in East Timor) can shape their own destinies," Lula said.

The Brazilian president explained that the South American country - the winner of a record five editions of the World Cup - will from March train football coaches in Portuguese-speaking countries like East Timor.

The two presidents also agreed to cooperate on cultural matters including exchanges for artists and seminars on audiovisuals.

Ramos Horta, on his first visit to Brazil, said the main challenge for his government is the fight against violence and poverty.

"We have to conquer investors. Now, we have the responsibility to combat poverty," the East Timorese president said.

Ramos Horta referred to Lula as an "older brother," and announced the creation of an East Timorese diplomatic mission in Brasilia.

The Philippines and the revival of Latin Asia

2007-09-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

On August 8, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced that Spanish will be reinstated as an official language of the Philippines by January 2008, and has asked help from the Spanish government in her plan, which will include an official ceremony and reintroduce Spanish as a required subject in the Philippine school system.

Source:
La presidenta filipina pedirá ayuda a España para oficializar el español

Zamboanga City, a Latin city in Asia

2007-09-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Zamboanga City is a Philippine city with a sophisticate Spanish flavour. Zamboanga is the only city in Asia where the majority of the population speaks Chavacano; a language which is a blend of Spanish and Cebuano.

The city is locally known as "El Orgullo de Mindanao" (The Pride of Mindanao), nicknamed the "City of Flowers", and affectionately called by Zamboangueños as "Zamboanga Hermosa" - Spanish for "Beautiful Zamboanga".

Zamboanga has now being branded by the government as "Asia's Latin City".

Source:
Asia's Latin City, best brand for Zamboanga: Spanish journalist

East Timor and the revival of Latin Asia

2007-09-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian government has promised that its contribution to the promotion of the Portuguese language in East Timor is going to be more systematic and more voluminous by increasing the number of Portuguese language teachers in the country.

In order to facilitate their mission, the teachers will take courses in Tetum, one of the local languages. This will also help the teachers understand the problems faced by the students of the language.

The government of Brazil is also working on mechanisms to reinforce the existing links between Tetum and Portuguese.

In addition, the measures include the concession to Timorese students of 20 local scholarships for teacher degrees in the Portuguese language and 10 scholarships for master studies in Portugal.

Brazil also will try to reinforce the broadcast of Portuguese content in the public TV station of East Timor.

Source:
Docentes do Brasil reforçam promoção do português no Timor

Have you ever heard of Latin Asia?

2007-08-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Latin Asia

There are places in Asia that have a Latin charm, these are called Latin Asia. They are The Philipines, Timor Leste and Macau.