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Kinaray-a is an Austronesian language spoken mainly in Antique Province in the Philippines. It is also spoken in Iloilo province and certain villages in Mindanao that trace their roots to Antique Province or Kinaray-a speaking areas of Iloilo Province. Kinaray-a came from the word "iraya" equivalent to "ilaya" in Tagalog, which refers to a group of people residing in the mountain areas of the province. While groups of people residing near the river delta are referred to as "ilawod" from the Hiligaynon word "lawod", which refers to a large body of water (sea, ocean, lake, or strait). However, Kinaray-a does not necessarily refers to the way or language spoken by the highlanders of Panay Island. Speakers of this language are called, "Karay-a."
Kinaray-a is also spoken in most parts of Iloilo together with Hiligaynon. Most towns of Iloilo speak Kinaray-a while Hiligaynon is mostly spoken in the city area. Due to regional proximity, media and television stations, Kinaray-a speakers can understand Hiligaynon speakers. However, only Hiligaynon speakers who reside in Kinaray-a speaking areas can understand the language. Those who come from other areas, like Negros, have difficulty in understanding the language, if they can at all.
It is a misconception among some Hiligaynon speakers that Kinaray-a is a dialect of Hiligaynon; the reality is that the two belong to two different, but related, language subgroups.
It belongs to the Visayan language family.
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