The Bicol Language, Part 1/ An Lenguahe kan Bicol, Parte 1

Maogmang aldaw! is the Bicol phrase greeting one a good happy day, encompassing every Bicolano’s spirit of hospitality and friendship. Bicol is a distinct, complete language by itself, spoken by the majority of people in the region, dispersed in the southern Luzon peninsula region in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Albay. It is also the lingua franca of the people in island-provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

Maogmang aldaw an sarong pagsabat na nagmamawot nin marhay na aldaw, kaiba ang bulanos na hospitalidad asin pakikiamigo. An Bicol sarong kumpletong lenguahe, ginagamit kan mayoriya kanmga nageerok na tawo sa rehiyon, nakasabwag sa ikog kan Luzon sa mga probinsiya kan Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon pati na kan Albay. Iyo man in an tataramon kan mga habitantes sa mga islang probinsiya kan Catanduanes saka Masbate.

The Bicolanos have developed the language to the extent of creating a literature in that tongue, not to mention a system of grammar. This has given Bicolanos a living tradition, a deep-rooted social, cultural and religious life which they carry wherever they are transplanted by circumstances or will.

An enot na mga Bicolano ang nagpundar kang lenguahe na sa ngonian may sadiring literature asin sistemang grammar. Ini an nagtao sa mga tawo nin buhay na tradisyon, hararom na naka-ugat sa sosyal, kultura asin relihiyon na pagbuhay na dara-dara maski saen sinda mapadpad kan pangangaipo o kaya sadiring kagustuhan.

The Bicol tongue is melodious and rich in imagery, capable of expressing serious thoughts with the eloquence of such tongues as Spanish, English, German, French o Italian. Many gifted Bicolanos have expressed their ideas and ideals, their struggle for political liberty, freedom and love for country through brilliant use of Bicol.

An tataramon na Bicol may tanog na marhay dangogon, tiempo asin mayaman sa imahinasyon, kapable na magpa intiende nin seryosong kaisipan kapareho kan sa Espanol, Englis, Aleman, Franco o Italyano. Dakul na intelihenteng Bicolanos an nagluwas kan saindang ideyas asin pagtubod, pakikipaglaban para sa pampulitikang pagkakasaro, asin pagkamoot sa banwaan gamit an mahausay na pagtaram nin Bicol.

The Bicol world is not only rich in legends, tales, riddles but also in native songs, proverbs and humor.

An kinaban kan Bicol bako sanang mayaman sa mga rawit-dawit, istorya, patood kundi igua man mga kanta, kasabihan na suanoy saka mga suba.

(Note: Excerpts from the original published in the commemorative magazine My Hometown and the Focus Magazine Updated and edited for brevity. / Hugot sa orihinal na publikadong artikulo sa magasin o babasahon na : My Hometown (An Sakuyang Banwaan) asin sa Focus Magazine.)

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One thought on “The Bicol Language, Part 1/ An Lenguahe kan Bicol, Parte 1”

  1. This is fascinating. I have never heard of the Bicol language. Where are you near? I don’t know the area. Thanks for visiting my blog, also; sorry it’s taken me so long to return the visit.

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