Sambal[note 1] is a Sambalic language spoken primarily in the Zambal municipalities of Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, and Iba, in the Pangasinense municipality of Infanta, and areas of Pampanga in the boundary with Zambales in the Philippines; speakers can also be found in Panitian, Quezon, Palawan and Barangay Mandaragat or Buncag of Puerto Princesa.

The first European-produced reference grammar of any indigenous language of the Philippines was that of Zambal, published circa 1601.

The pejorative term was first used in the late 1970s by researchers from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now SIL International).

[6] Sambal language is most closely related to Kapampangan and to a classic form of Tagalog still spoken in Tanay in the province of Rizal.

[8][9][10] There is also a possible relationship between the Sambal speakers and the population of the island provinces of Marinduque and Romblon based on commonalities in some traditions and practices.

Dy is pronounced [dʒ], ny [ɲ], sy [ʃ], and ty [tʃ].

Note: In a general conversation, hi is usually omitted or contracted from the pronoun: e.g. Hikunla tana hiya rin (sa kanila na lang iyan) is simply ‘kunla tana ‘ya-rin or even shorter, as ‘kunlay na rin.

Below is a translation in Sambal of the Philippine national proverb[11] "He who does not acknowledge his beginnings will not reach his destination," followed by the original in Tagalog.

Tan komon ando mo aboloyan a matokso kami, nokay masbali ipa-lilih mo kamin kay makagawa doka, ta ikon moy kaarian, kapangyarian tan karangalan a homin panganggawan.

Inga-rowan mo kami sa kawkasalanan mi bilang pa-nginganga-ro mi konlan nagkasalanan komi tan ando mo kami aboloyan manabo sa tokso.