The Silbo Gomero language is full of fascinating features and unique characteristics. Here are 15 interesting facts that showcase its richness and complexity.
1. Pre-Spanish Whistles
The original inhabitants of the Canary Islands, the Guanches, used Silbo Gomero even before the Spanish settlers arrived. It was also spoken on other Canary Islands like El Hierro, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The Spanish settlers then adapted Silbo to their language during the 16th century.
2. The Whistle Language’s Near-Death Experience
The use of Silbo Gomero dwindled in the 1950s. Economic decline led many speakers to move away in search of better jobs, and technologies like the telephone reduced the need for a whistled language. By the late 20th century, Silbo Gomero was in danger of disappearing altogether.
3. Becoming a Pro Whistler
Want to become a professional instructor in Silbo Gomero? There’s a school for that! The Island School of Silbo Gomero was established for post-secondary students who wish to specialize in the language. Here, students work to become certified professional instructors in this unique language.
4. Whistle While You Talk
Silbo Gomero, also known as el silbo, is a unique language that is whistled rather than spoken. It’s used by the inhabitants of La Gomera, which is part of the Canary Islands. This language was developed because of the island’s deep ravines and narrow valleys, which made regular communication difficult. With Silbo Gomero, messages could travel up to five kilometers!
5. Everyone Understands, But Not Everyone Speaks
While all inhabitants of La Gomera understand Silbo Gomero, not everyone can speak it. This is because the language was stigmatized during the 1950s to 1980s, and many people from this generation understand the language but do not speak it. However, those born before 1950 and after 1999 are able to whistle this unique language.
6. A Language Without Language Codes
Despite its uniqueness and cultural importance, Silbo Gomero doesn’t have its own ISO 639-3 language code or Glottolog code. Linguists use these codes to classify and identify languages. Maybe it’s because Silbo Gomero is a whistled version of Spanish, or maybe it’s just too unique to categorize!
7. Rise of the Whistlers
In the late 1990s, efforts to revitalize Silbo Gomero began. By 1999, the language’s revival was furthered by educational policies and other legislative measures. Now, it has official protection as an example of intangible cultural heritage. That’s a pretty impressive comeback for a language that was almost lost!
8. The Whistle That Traveled Far
Silbo Gomero originally existed before the arrival of Spanish settlers. It was spoken not only on La Gomera, but also on other Canary Islands. However, after the Spanish settlement in the 16th century, Silbo was adapted to the Spanish language and continued to be widely used into the 17th century.
9. A Uniquely Human Heritage
In 2009, UNESCO declared Silbo Gomero a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This means it is recognized internationally as a significant part of human history and culture. It’s kind of like winning a prize for being an incredibly cool and unique language!
10. Whistle, Don’t Shout
Silbo Gomero is known as a ‘whistled register’ of Spanish. This means that it uses the same basic sounds as Spanish, but expressed through whistles instead of spoken words. It’s like speaking Spanish, but without the shouting!
11. The Whistle of the Canary Islands
Silbo Gomero is native to Spain, specifically the Canary Islands. Despite being part of Spain, the Canary Islands have their own unique culture and languages, one of them being Silbo Gomero. This makes the islands a fascinating place for language enthusiasts!
12. A Language Worth Preserving
Silbo Gomero is considered an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This means that it’s a non-physical part of culture that’s important to preserve for future generations. So, learning and practicing Silbo Gomero isn’t just about communication; it’s also about keeping a unique part of human history alive.
13. From Spanish to Whistles
Silbo Gomero is a transposition of Spanish from speech to whistling. That means it takes the sounds of the Spanish language and translates them into whistles. It’s like having a secret code, but with whistles instead of letters or numbers.
14. Who Speaks Whistle?
According to a 2009 UNESCO report, all inhabitants of La Gomera understand Silbo Gomero, but not everyone can speak it. Only those born before 1950 and younger generations who attended school since 1999 can actually whistle out the language. Those born between 1950 and 1980 understand the language but can’t speak it, as it was negatively viewed during their time of language acquisition.
15. Teaching Whistles in School
In 1997, the Parliament of the Canary Islands approved a motion to include Silbo Gomero in the school curriculum. Since July 1999, it has been a mandatory subject in primary and secondary education. The government even established an Island School of Silbo Gomero for post-secondary students who wish to continue studying the language.
? And That’s a (Whistled) Wrap
These are just a few of the many interesting aspects of the Silbo Gomero language. Each fact reveals something unique about its structure, history, or cultural significance. What’s your favorite fact about Silbo Gomero?
Also, if you would like to see Silbo Gomero in action, have a look at this incredible video! Truly fascinating.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.