The Spanish names of the days of the week, and of the months of the
year, which must be written in Bisayan form, as: LUNES, MARTES,
MYERKOLES, HWEBES, BYERNES, SABADO, DOMINGO, ENERO, PEBRERO, MARSO,
ABRIL, MAYO, JUNYO, HULYO, AGOSTO, SEPTYEMBRE, OKTUBRE, NOBYEMBRE,
DISYEMBRE.
Arorú (from the English “arrow-root”). A plant. And many others.
APPENDIX
NOTES ON BISAYAN RHETORIC AND POETICS
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Simile. This figure is one of the most used in Bisayan, even in
ordinary conversations.
Examples:
1. Bagá an násirong ng̃a dila.
Applied to a person or thing intended to be kept out of the rain, but
which becomes wet, like the tongue (dila) which is always wet in the
mouth.
2. Canogon pa dao la—san imo catindog
maópay si báyhon—maráot an bántog
igpapananglit co—bayábas ng̃a hinóg,
maópay an panit—olóron an onód
(A popular song,)
Where the resemblance is between “maopay si bayhon” and “maopay an
panit”, and also between “maráot an bantog” and “olóron an onód”.
Metaphor. It is also used, especially in poetry.
Example:
1. Cáhoy ca ng̃a linauáan
sa búquid nanauantáuan
cun canan Dyos ca pagbut-an
matopóng sa ulasiman.
(A popular song)
Applied to one who is in a high position in life, like “cahoy ng̃a
linauáan”, the “lauáan” tree being one of the tallest trees.
Allegory. It is also found in Bisayan.
Example:
Ugá ng̃a cáhoy si láuas,
patáy na, layâ si dáhon
nanaringsing sin casáquit
namúng̃a sin camatáyon
(A popular song)
Here the life or body (láuas) is called a dry tree (ugá ng̃a cáhoy),
already dead (patáy na), whose leaves are withered (laya si dahon), and
which sprouted sorrow (nanaringsing sin casáquit), and gave as fruit,
the death (namúng̃a sin camatáyon).
Personification. One of the most frequent cases of personification in
Bisayan is that consisting in applying to things and objects the
personal article si.
Example:
Nagtitinang̃is si tucmo
cay tiarábut an bagyo.
(A popular song)
Where the turtle-dove, (tucmo) is personifed by si. The expression
would lose much of its charm if the article an is employed instead of
si.
Antithesis. We have this figure in Bisayan.
Example:
Canógon pa dao la—san imo catindog
maópay si bayhon—maráot an bantog, etc.
Where “maopay” (good) and “maraot” (bad), “bayhon” (face) and “bántog”
(fame) are contrasted.
Epigram. This figure, in its modern meaning, is used in Bisayan.
Example:
Gumhúlat pa an naghínay.
an nagdagmit, uaráy.
Which literally means: he who went slow was awaited for; he who
hastened was not waited for. Its point is equivalent to that of the
English “slow, but sure.” “Guinhulat” (was awaited for) “uaráy” (was
not), “naghínay” (went slow) and “nagdágmit” (hastened) are contrasted.
Metonymy. It is also found in Bisayan.
Example:
An patay palang̃it, an buhi pacauít.
Literally: let the dead go to heaven; let the living go to the “cauít”
(a bamboo where the tubâ wine is ordinarily placed). The figure
consists in this word “cauít,” container, for “tuba wine,” the thing
contained.
Synecdoche.
Example:
Pag árog hin damò nga bugás cay damo camí ng̃a babà.
Literally it means: “Prepare much rice because we are many mouths.”
Here the mouths (baba) a part, is used for person, the whole.
Apostrophe. We have it also in Bisayan.
Example:
Ohoy mg̃a lang̃it—mga cahatas’an.
tabang̃i, buligui—adin may pinas’an
an iní nga pálad—con diri mabáui
nouontan dao adá—sinin quinabuhi
(A popular song)
Literally: Heavens, altitudes, protect, help this who suffers
something; if this fate is not averted, it will undoubtedly affect the
life.
Exclamation.
Example:
¡Pastilán bidíday,—bididay ca man la
ng̃a nacacalucmay—sinin hunahuna! ...
¡ayáo pag saquita!—¡ayáo pagbidóa,
cay mag titinangis—canugon san luha! ...
(A popular song)
Interrogation.
Example:
Mg̃a langit, mg̃a langit;
¿háin dao dapit an sáquit? ...
sa calibutan uaráy man:
sabali sa panomdoman.
(A popular song)
Hyperbole. It is frequent in Bisayan.
Examples:
1. Macapánas hin buquid. (Man able to level a mountain)
2. Macasagpo bin bahá. (Man able to suspend a flood)
2. Cun totóo, intoy—ng̃a imo tinguha
pag biling la anay—sílot ng̃a may bóa.
(A popular song)
Literally: If your love is true, look for a “silot” (a young fruit of
cocoanut) which has “bua” (the bulb of the old cocoanut fruit when it
is old enough to be used as a seed).
Climax
Example:
¡ ............
nanaringsing sin masáquit,
namúnga sin camatáyon.
Irony.
Example:
¡Camaopay mo! uaray ca gud pag tuman han imo pólong̃.
Literally: How good are you! you did not keep your word.
Asyndeton.
Example:
Ohoy mg̃a lang̃it—mg̃a cahatas’an
tabang̃i, buligui, inín may pinas’an, etc.
(A popular song)
Repetition.
Examples:
1. Dirì co cay yubit—diri co cay dáyao
pamahonpáhon mo—baga may parayao; etc.
(A popular song)
2. Pastilán, bididay—bididay ca man la
ng̃a nacacalúcmay—sinín hunahuña, etc.
(A popular song)
Concatenation.
Example:
Pastilán ca curi—cacuri capinan
capin ca mabide—san bido sa dughan,
dughan co pagílob—ilob calauasan,
láuas co naponò—pono casaquitan.
(A polular song).
PROSE
Of the three universal important forms in prose, i.e., description,
narration, and exposition nothing in general needs be observed.
LETTERS
At present, one of the forms most generally employed in Bisayan prose
is that belonging to the class of narration, the letter.
Nothing special needs be observed about letters, at present times,
apart from their external forms and the tendency to innovation
prominently shown in them, more than anywhere else, by frequent
barbarisms.
As to the external forms of the Bisayan letters, it is to be observed
that a routinary introduction is almost universally followed. We refer
to the ordinary introduction consisting in the following ideas and
order: “This letter has no other purpose” 2) “but to ask how you are”
3) “because as to me” 4) “I am in a good health”.
And after such an invariable introduction, the writer goes on in a
paragraph apart; “And I shall add that”, etc.
Example:
Uaráy láin ng̃a tuyó hiní ng̃a acon surat cúndi an damo ng̃a mg̃a
pang̃omósta co ha imo, cay cun acó in ipaquiána, calooy sa Dyos
maópay.
Ng̃an isonouod co liuát, etc.
This is the introduction generally adopted. We do not hesitate to state
that more than fifty per cent of the letters written in our Bisayan
commence with these or equivalent ideas and in the same order.
As to the barbarisms, they are employed thruout the entire letter.
On the heading it is usually written:
Tacloban, á 2 de Octubre de 1908.
instead of:
Tacloban, ica 2 han Octubre han 1908.
On the introduction it ordinarily appears
Sr. D ........................................
or
Sra. D.a ........................................
Mi estimado amigo:
or
Muy estimada Señora:
The body of the letter is usually as follows:
Uaray lain ng̃a objeto hini ng̃a acon surat, sino an damo ng̃a mg̃a
pangomosta ha iyo ngatanán, cay cun camí in iyo ipaquiána, calooy
sa Dyos, uaray ano man ng̃a novedad.
Y de consiguiente, tatay, isusunod co liuat; cun uaray mo
inconveniente, gusto co cunta comadá pag vacacion; pero como
guinadvertir mo man aco han nacadi ca ng̃a mag procurar acó hin pag
obtener anay han titulo, por eso amo iní ng̃a dirí aco na atrever
pag guican mientras dirí paca aco macacarauát han imo contestation
ng̃a pag hatag hin permiso, bisan cun sobra y basta gud an acon mg̃a
deseos pag visita ha iyo. etc.
POETIC FORMS
Of the three main classes of poetry, epic, lyric and dramatic, the
lyric is the only one preserved in Bisayan in the form of popular
songs. The dramatic form is found at present mainly in the translations
of Tagalog and Spanish dramas, usually employed as plays on the
Patron’s days in the towns.
VERSIFICATION
Rhythm and rhyme are observed in Bisayan poems.
The rhyme is not so perfect as that of the Spanish verses. Consonant
words or with similar sounding endings are employed in Bisayan.
Kinds of meter. There are two kinds of meter most used in Bisayan
poetry: verses of six syllables, verses of eight syllables, and verses
of twelve syllables divided in two fragments of six syllables each.
Examples:
Verses of six syllables:
¿Háin ca na, punay?...
cadí na panambo,
tambo madalíay,
liaua si casbo;
basi humalayhay
inín saquit, bido
nga asay tiónay
san casingcasing co.
Verses of eight sy11ab1es:
Acó iní sugadsugad
san bánua nga tarotánglad,
bisan cun diín italad
mabubuhi cun may palad,
Verses of twelve syllables:
Togon co sa imo,—mahal nga inógay
di ca gud padará—san damo nga sangcay;
an paglacát nime—gabay magmahinay,
nga diri hatócso,—lumiscad san látay.
Note.—The verses of twelve syllables are really verses of six, the odd
verses not being rhymed.
Combinations. As seen in the preceding examples the combinations are
the following:
The verses of six syllables are grouped in four verses, the even verses
being rhymed.
The verses of eight syllables are grouped also in four verses all
rhymed.
The verses of twelve syllables are also grouped in four rhymed verses.
COLLECTION OF SOME BISAYAN SONGS
NOTE—In transcribing the following songs, we shall use, the orthography
proposed in the note of the first page of this book using only three
vowels: a, i, o.
MORAL POETRY
Si nanay, si tatay di ko babayuán
kay damò ng̃a dogô an akon naotag̃
kun pag-ilsipon an siyam ka botan.
g̃a pag-inókoy ko sa kan nanay riyán.
Togon ko sa imo, mahal g̃a inógay:
di ka god padará san damò g̃a sangkay;
an paglakat nímo gabáy mag mahinay,
g̃a dirí katokao, lomiskad san látay.
Kamakaroroyag sa matá pagkit’on
sinin mag-asawa g̃a waray sin limbog,
kon daw naabot na ira kamatayon
náboká an lang̃it bási nira sadlon.
Ayaw gani kahihilig
ayaw karirikandikan,
kay di man bagyo an toig,
di man kikilá an bolan.
PHILOSOPHIC POETRY
Mg̃a bitoón sa lag̃it
may mapawà, may mag̃itg̃it,
con sa tawo igpanag̃lit,
may malípay, may masákit.
Kahoy ka g̃a linawaán
sa bokid nanawantawan,
kon kanan Dyos ka pagbot’an
matopóg̃ sa olasiman.
Di ko ginkakasorok’an
an salapí, an bolawan;
say ko ginkikinahag̃lan
maopay g̃a ginawian.
Sogad gud akó san gamót
g̃a nailarom sa kotkot,
kon kanan Dyos pagboót
malábaw akó san ódlot
Diri ba ako pagsirig̃.
indayon, paghang̃narig̃,
kay bag̃in kitá kapadg̃an,
harayó an borogkátan.
Guin holát pá an naghinay;
an nag dagmit, waráy.
Waráy hiní balos báyad
bas’la an boót longáyad
LOVE POETRY
An bató bantilis náibas, nákilot
sa toró san tóbig sa darodagínot:
¡kasig̃kasig̃ pa ba an diri homómok.
sa gógma san tawo kon sa tarinónot.
Di ba sadto ánay imo akó sig̃sig̃
sa walá g̃a kamót, todló tamoyig̃kig̃;
baman itó niyán di ka na násiplat,
¿anó an solá ko sa imo nabóhat?
An sakít sa domdom og sa honahona,
makori ilig̃kod, makori íhigda:
¿ihagád sa láng̃it? ¿itamod sa tona?...
¡A baá Dyos ko, máonan’o dao la!...
Pastilán kakori, ka kori kapinan
kapin kamabido san bido sa dóghan;
doghan ko pag-ilob, ilob kasawásan,
láwas ko g̃a ponó pone kasakitan.
Pastilán, bididay, bididay ka man la
ga nakakalokmay sinín honahona:
ayáo pag sakita, ayao pag bidóa,
kay mag titinangis kanógon san loha.
Pastilán ka kori, ka kor ig̃akapin
san may pag kasákit sinin kasig̃kasig̃:
igpapanag̃lit ko sa osá ga borig̃
bisan parigóson may gihapon bilin.
Háin ka na ponay,
kadi na panambo,
tambo madaliay.
liawá si kas’bo.
basi homanáyhay
inin sakit bido
g̃a asáy tiónay
sa kasigkasig ko.
Abá Tig̃tig̃ abá Tig̃tig̃.
ioli an akon sig̃sig̃.
opayda kon logarig̃on,
kondi kanan taklobauon.
Akon iglilibaglibag̃
inin kasákit sa doghan
baman ha banig ig matag̃
sakit ga magtitilógag̃.
Kadto na, kadto na, kadto na soranga
kadto na pag bilig̃ sin ibá g̃a gogma
ayaw gad pag hig̃yap sin sogad sa akon
asáy tig̃ohán maópay ga láyhon
Kon boot ka mang̃asáwa
inín barás pag pisia,
di ka g̃ani makapisi
pag toraw na la ganoli.
Kon daw ha kasirig̃anon
tobig ka g̃a irinómon
diri sa dáhon pahonbon,
pahónbon sa doghan nakon
Kon bagá kahoy si lawas
patay na, laya si dahon
nanarig̃sig̃ sin kasákit
namóg̃a sin kamatáyon
Kap’atán ka tuig an akon paghig̃yap
pag-imasisirig̃ sa imo, binórak.
Han nákadto ka ha pantaw
akon ka gintitinan-aw
harápit ako matónaw
sa dako g̃a pag kahidlaw
Anó iní g̃a nádoróy
kamasakit, kamakapoy,
an lawas sogád sin káhoy
g̃aginhaharoharópoy
Bohi pa an bató g̃a pinamonakan
didto la katikag̃ an karokayakan
Pastilán ka kori san pag-ig̃irikan
natag̃is si inday g̃a binabayáan,
gabáy daw la habsan inín kalalawdan
g̃a diri tomólin inín pagsarakyan
Han nakadto ka ha lawdon
akon ka gintinan-awon
hapit kó ikaw karawton
ha barás diri patonbon.
Kon nag-iimót ka san imo kamathom
san pag kamabaysay san imo pamayhon,
bisan la an todló, an bohók, panapton
kon asay somirag̃, maopay na nakon,
Hiará ako magnawá
magsakaysakay sa bará
og didto ako hidagsa
sa kam g̃awan g̃a tuna
Katlóan ka tuig g̃a akon kahidlaw
sogád ka sin tobig nakon ikaóhaw
Kon baga ako si taro
tonáw na sa pag kaálo;
maopay si alimag̃o
kay may pag kalonolóno
Mga lagit, mga lagit,
¿háin daw dapít an sakit?....
sa kalibótan waráy man
sabáli sa panomdoman
Sin pag kamamig̃aw sinín kakorolpon
waráy god nabantad bis osá g̃a dahon
bis an mg̃a tamsi sáhid mabidó an
¿say pa ba an tawo, di aipan gihapon?....
Hinógay na intoy, siton pakalipog̃
sin kinarokanhi sinin amon libog̃
opayda kon hiro iton imo bayhon
maamog̃ ka daw la sinín bantog namon
SUNDRY
Adto na si adlaw
linmoyó sa bokid,
oli na, indayon,
kay waray pa tóbig.
Hi nonay g̃a kawayánon
malobaylobay hag̃anon
naglilinakat ha kógon
hi hawak royokdoyókon.
Itón imo baba
g̃a nagyayabora
g̃a nagyiyinákan
sitón lonlun bowa;
kon di ko kahadlok
pághirót sin gaba
pag-oonloton ko
itón imo dila
Akó magtotóon diri ko sasabwan
mangad na maloto, diri ko sosog̃-an
si akó mátimo di ko poporoton
mangad na mabosóg, diri ko totolnon.
Anó man in akon kon diin ka kadto,
di mo la pag dad-on an tubig, kalayo:
di mo mam binohi ini g̃a lawas ko
tinmobo si inday kosóg san amáy ko.
An tansman nimo mandig̃
ginsisinólod san kand g̃
an taranman nakikil g̃
kay gin bobowad san baktin.
¿Ano ba, Dyos ko, an nakakasógad,
an isda sa dagat g̃a nagkakalópad?...
¿ano ba, Dyos ko, iní ga nadoróy,
inin katamsihan g̃a nagkakalag̃oy?...
Kanogon pa daw la san imo katindog
maópay si bayhon, maráot an bantog:
igpapanag̃lit ko, bayabas g̃a hinóg,
maópay an pánit, oloron an onód.
Ambot daw ada maorán
si dampog nag̃o odtóhan
bisan la inin pag̃ánod
doróyog tipailáwod
Busa, bayái, balitaw,
ayáw gad tood kay tíaw
iní g̃a akon pagbolaw
igpapahaoli g̃ahaw.
Hilag̃kag kitá, hilag̃kag
sinín palawán g̃a pankag
kay bag̃in, idáy, makárag
dó loktan sinín alámag.
Makadí kamí maoli,
maoli g̃a bagá diri,
naghihiawil pa g̃ani
san ka maopay sangawi
An di ko iginpinólog̃
an kabasólan in akon:
si kahoy di mag torópog̃
may balíko, may matadog̃
Anó man in akon kon diín ka hanoy
di mo la pagdad-on an tobig, an kahoy
iní g̃a lawas ko g̃a makalolóoy
tinmobo kan tatay, kan nanay g̃a iróy
Diri ko kay yóbit, diri ko kay dayaw
pamahonpáhon mo bagá may paráyaw;
an imo pamálod pagkasadag̃ana,
baga nagkokori an akon ginhawa.
Ayáw gad hin tamay, ayáw gad hin yóbit
kay magsáma man la inín aton pánit;
an aton logárig̃ ginkakalainan,
kay diri mag-osá inín aton g̃aran.
Busa, bayái, bayái,
bayái ayáw baliki,
bisan dahon sin kamoti
mabobohi kami dinhi.
Abá Lolay, abá Lolay
ligid ligid sinin baybay
kon igkita ka sin away
dalagan, ayaw papátay
Makadí kami maoli
sa baláy g̃a sinorambi
bisan la mawaráy bóg̃bog̃
maoli kay logarig̃on
An di ko iginkinanta [109]
an kabasolán onína;
si kahoy di magsaráma
may baliko, may balísa
An akon pagkinantáhon[109]
báyad san akon kináon;
bisan la akó tog̃boyón
g̃a diri oraoráhon.
Nag sisirom na daw inín kakorolpon
g̃atanán g̃a tamsi sa káhoy na hapon
kitá man an tawo ga may isip domdom.
máoli sa balay g̃a kalogarig̃on
NOTES ON FILIPINO DIALECTOLOGY
It is beyond any question that most of the Filipino dialects are
derived from a common origin: the Malay tongue.
For this reason many Bisayan words are exactly the same in other
Filipino dialects, and many others bear some local dialectal
differences, thus always showing a common origin.
The following lists are short collections of such words.
WORDS EXACTLY THE SAME IN BISAYAN AND IN TAGALOG
A
Ako. [110]—I
Agaw.—To snatch
Ag̃lit.—A little pot
Amihan.—North wind
Anák.—son, daughter
Anino.—Shadow
Apo.—Grandson, grand-daughter
Apog.—Lime
Asawa.—Wife
Asín.—Salt
aswag̃.—Witch
Atáy.—Liver
Away.—Fight
B
Baboy.—Pig
Baga.—Red-hot
Bagá.—as, like
Baga.—Lung
Bagon.—To raise
Bantay.—Watch
Bantilis.—A kind of rock
Basa.—To read
Bata.—Child
Bató.—Stone
Bawi.—To recover
Bayabas.—Guava
Bayad.—Pay
Bayáw.—Brother-in-law
Boká.—Open, untied
Bokás.—Open
Bokó.—Knot
Bohók.—Hair
Bog̃a.—Fruit
K
Kabig.—Pull
Kahoy.—Tree, timber, wood
Kawayan.—Bamboo
Kilala.—To know
Koha.—Take
Kólag̃.—Insufficient
Kota.—Wall
D
Dagat.—Sea
Dahon.—Leave
Dalí.—Quick
Dila.—Tongue
Dogó.—Blood
I
Ibabaw.—Over
Ikaw.—Thou, you
Init.—Heat
Inóm.—Drink
H
Habagat.—West
Hagdan.—Staircase
Hayop.— Animal
Hiláw.—Unripe
Hínay.—Slow
Hinog.—Ripe
Hógas.—Wash
L
Labis.—Excess
Lakbay.—Go over
Lag̃aw.—Fly
Lag̃it.—Heaven, sky
Lalaki.—Male
Laway.—Saliva
Likod.—Back
Limá.—Five
Liwanag.—Clearness
Lokso.—Jump
Lohá.—Tear
Lorâ.—Spit
Lotò.—Cooked
M
Manók.—Chicken
Matá.—Eye
Matambók.—Fat
May.—There is, etc.
Maya.—A kind of bird
N
Nipá.—Nipá
Nipis.—Thinness
Nosuos.—To rub
O
Ogát.—Vein, nerve
Olo.—Head
Oo.—Yes
Opa.—Payment
Otag.—Debt
Owák.—Raven
Owáy.—Vine
P
Pakpak.—Applause with palms
Pait.—Bitterness
Palad.—Palm of the hand
Patay.—Kill
Pati.—Also, with
Patog̃.—To place over
Payog̃.—Umbrella
Paypay.—Fan
Pili.—A tree so called
Pili.—To select
Pingan.—Plate
Pitó.—Seven
Pokpok.—To beat
Pola.—Red
Posod.—Navel
S
Sa.—To, at, from, on, etc.
Sabaw.—Broth
Sakay.—To embark
Sakit.—Sickness
Sagig̃.—Banana
Saló.—Receive
Saway.—To correct
Sawsaw.—To wash
Siko.—Elbow
Sig̃ba.—To adore
Sili.—Pepper
Siyá.—He, she
Siyam.—Nine
Soka.—To vomit
Sog̃ay.—Horn
Solog̃.—Forward
Sonod.—Follow
Sonog.—Fire
T
Táas.—Height
Tabas.—To cut
Tadtad.—To prick
Tag̃is.—To weep
Tahí.—To sew
Timog.—South
Tiyán.—Belly
Tobâ.—A wine
Tobig.—Water
Tobó.—Sugar cane
Tobò.—Profit, to grow
Tohod.—Knee
Tohog.—To string
Tonóg.—Sound
Twad.—To face dawnwards
W
Waló.—Eight
WORDS WITH SOME DIALECTAL DIFFERENCES
Differences in the vowels i, o.
BISAYAN TAGALOG ENGLISH
Akon Akin my, mine
Amon Amin our
Aslom Asim acidity
Aton Atin our
Atóp Atíp roof
Bitóon Bitúin star
Bokog Bikig fish-bone, bone
Bogás Bigas rice
Bog-at Bigat weight
Bolad Bilad to sun
Bog̃ol Big̃í deaf
Kan-on Kanin cooked rice
Kaon Kain to eat
Katol Katí to itch, itching
Dámò Dami amount, much
Datóg̃ Datig̃ to arrive
Dokót Dikit to adhere, adhered
Dolóm Dilim dark
Gorót Gilit slice
Hábol Habi to weave
Harok Halik kiss, to kiss
Hatod Hatid to accompany
Horám Hiram to borrow
Iuomon Inumin potable water
Itom Itim black
Liog Liig neck
Pawod Pawid weaved nipa
Salóg Sahig floor
Sandig Sandal to lean
Takóp Takíp cover
Tanom Tanim plantation
Taróm Talim edge of a sword, etc.
Tindok Tundok a kind of banana
Tindog Tindig to stand
Tonok Tiník thorn
Differences in k, h, l, r, d, t.
BISAYAN TAGALOG ENGLISH
Adlaw Araw Sun, day
Aram Alam Wisdom
Badò Barò Chemise
Balay Bahay House
Balo Bao Widow, widower
Balon Baon Provision
Barahibo Balahibo Feather, dawn
Bari Bali To break
Bolan Bwan Moon, month
Kagód Káyud To scrath
Kalot Kámot To scratch
Kamó Kayó You
Koló Kukú Nail
Dalan Daan Path, road
Daraga Dalaga Young girl
Digò Ligò To bath
Dirì Hindì Not
Hadì Harì King
Halabà Mahaba Long
Halarom Malalim Deep
Harayò Malayò Far
Higdà Higà To lay down
Iróg Ilog̃ Nose
Lakát Lakad To walk
Lawod Láot Ocean
Mahínis Malinis Clean
Namok Lamok Mosquito
Napolo Sampù Ten
Parabol Palaboy Favor, grace
Pirit Pilit To force
Poro Pulò Island
Roag̃ Lwag̃ Broad
Salod Sahod To receive
Sarapati Kalapati Pigeon
Sarowal Salawal Pants
Sira Sila They
Sirag̃ Silag To appear
Sirog̃ Silog̃ Beneath
Sodlay Suklay Comb
Sorat Sulat Letter
Sorok Sulok Corner
Talig̃a Taig̃a Ear
Tarog̃ Talog̃ A plant
Torò Tulò Drop
Torog Tulog To sleep
Toktok Togtog To sound, to play
Differences in the accent, and in the separation of the syllables.
BISAYAN TAGALOG ENGLISH
Bálik Balík to come back
Kohà Kuha to take
Gaód Gáod oar
Hipág Hípag sister-in-law
Laón Láon old, ancient
Sábay Sabáy simultaneous
Tawá Táwa laugh
Kab-it Kabít connected
Kam-aw Kamao a dish
Kan-on Kanin cooked rice
Koan Kwán so and so
Gab-i Gabí evening, night
Sab-a Sabá a kind of banana
Sab-it Sabit to hook
Tan-aw Tanaw to look
Tig-a Tigás hardness
Tul-id Twid straight
Transformation from a to o, and viceversa.
Alapoop Alapaap cloud, fog
Kamót Kamay hand
Doha Dalawá two
Habobò Mababà low
Sokól Sukat measure
Toló Tatlo three
Onóm Anim six
Opat Apat four
Otok Utak brain
NOTES
[1] We write Bisayan, and not Visayan for the reason, among others,
that there is no V or sound of V in our dialect, and that there seems
to be no necessity for changing in English the B of the original Bisayâ
into V.
[2] A commitee has been found lately in Manila for this purpose.
[3] According to the nature of the Bisayan dialect and according to
what some Filipino philologists have written, Rizal among them,
referring to the dialects in the Philippines, the letters of the
Bisayan language must be the following:
a, b, d, e, g, g̃, h, i, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, y, w.
As it can be noticed, the letters c, f, j, ñ, q, v, x and z are omitted
from the preceding list, and g̃ and w are introduced. The reason for
this is as follows:
c, in its sound as in city, can be substituted by the letter s;
and, in its sound like c in cup, it can be substituted by k.
f is never used in Bisayan.
j, in its Spanish sound, can be substituted by h, which has an
aspirate pronunciation in Bisayan in all cases. In Bisayan, there
is no sound like that of the English j; however, in some places on
the western and southern coasts of Leyte, the y is pronounced like
the English j, as in maayo (pronounced mah-ah-joh) good.
The Spanish letter ñ, or a sound like it, can be written in Bisayan
more properly with the combination of these two letters ny, as in
minyo (pr. mean-yo) married.
q is not necessary, since the k can be used in all cases, where q
is needed. The phrase quiquilàon co (I shall see it) can be
perfectly written kikiláon ko.
v is never used in Bisayan.
x, in its Spanish sound, can be substituted by ks; and, in its
English sounds, it can be substituted by gs or ks, respectively.
z, in either its English or its Spanish sound, is never used in
Bisayan.
The g̃ is for the nasal sound that is very often used in Bisayan,
like the ng in song, longing. The g is preferable to the
combination ng̃, which would sometimes lead to confusion; because
this combination ng in Bisayan, is not pronounced as one letter, in
many instances, but each of these letters is pronounced; as, for
example, the word bug̃a (fruit), if written bunga, should sound
booong-ghah, which means to dart or to be darted.
w is needed in all cases of sounds like Spanish dipthongs; but it
must be used in Bisayan always as a consonant, never as a vowel.
Notwithstanding the preceding considerations, the orthography used in
this book is the old one, but simplified to a certain extent, on
account of the fact that this alphabet (if it can be properly called an
alphabet, it having no f or sound of f) is not yet used, even known,
but by very few persons among the Bisayan speaking people.
It would be very desirable for the people to adopt the new orthography
proposed in this note, because it is evidently more simple and proper
for the particular nature of the Bisayan dialect.
A study of the method of reducing the number of Bisayan vowels is also
to be desired, as it seems that not more than three are needed, to wit:
a, e or i, o or u.