Chapter 9

PROPER AND COMMONLike in other tongues there is in Bisayan a distinction between proper and common nouns.Tacloban,Catbalaógan,[30]Ilong̃-ílong̃(Iloilo),Espanya(Spain),Pedro(Peter),Guillermo(William), etc., are proper nouns;bucad(flower),bató(stone),áyam(dog), etc., are common.The Bisayan language has also familiar names for persons. AsofPedro,Péndong̃, Endong̃, Edóng̃, Edós, Pedó, etc;of,,Juan,Uáuang̃, Uauay, Uáuà, Uuán, Uuâ, etc;of,,Vicente,Tenteng̃, Titíng̃, Sente, Setée, etc;of,,Rafael,Pápeng̃, Paéng̃, Paél, Pápè, etc;of,,Margarito,Titong̃, Itong̃, Titoy, Itoy, etc.;of,,Francisco,Quicoy, Incoy, Quicò, etc;of,,Juana,Uánday, Uáday, etc.;of,,Antonio,Tónyo, Todóc, etc.;of,,Alejandro,Andong̃, Andoy, etc.;of,,Isabel,Sabel, etc.;of,,Gregorío,Goyóng̃, etc.;of,,Saturnino,Satúr, etc.;of,,Claudia,Calán, etc.Among the names of places, there are a few formed by the prepositioncan(which means possession or property), and the particlesca(which denotes abundance), andguin(which conveys the idea of past passive action), asCansámqui(a place, which probably belonged formerly to one namedSamqui)Can-orquin(place probably owned formerly by one calledOrquin)Canramos,36transformed Carrámos (place probably owned or possessed in former times by one namedRamos)[31]Cabuyúan(place where formerly there was much “buyu” (betelnut))Cabalían(place where the strong current of the sea breaks the oars (balì))Guintiguían(place in the “San Juanico strait,” where the strong current of the seateststhe rowers (tigui))Guintúlyan(a place in Basáy, Samar, where probably many fishes were caught (tulúy) with nets.)Etc.NOTE.—The names of persons among the Bisayan people are all Christian at the present time. Many of the surnames are Spanish, many others being of Bisayan origin as Lágbas, Pócpoc, Macasáit, Cabaobao, Balasbas, Yagomyom, etc.To indicate relationship, as the Englishpapa, mamma, and respect, confidence, or tenderness, there are a number of Bisayan nouns, which show by themselves the relation between the speaker or writer and the person to whom the noun is applied. Examples:forpapa, tátay or tatáy, tátang̃ or tatáng̃, itáy, or itáng̃;for,,mamma, nánay or nanáy, nánang̃ or nanáng̃, ináy, or ináng̃.There are others applied to grandfathers and grandmothers, and also to those persons who act or are considered as fathers or mothers. Examples:Mano, manóng, mamo, mamoy, babay, dudoy, dudù inco, tutoy, yuyu, iyô (applied to elder brothers, uncles or elder male relatives of any degree, even to persons not related to but respected by the speaker or writer).Mana37manang, manáy, mama, mamay. manding, duday, duda, insi tutay, yuya, tuta (applied to elder sisters, aunts or elder female relatives of any[32]degree, even to women not related to, but respected by the speaker or writer).Tío, or tí, tia or tí (applied as á form of politeness and respect, respectively to men or women not related to or unknown by the speaker or writer).Idoy, íntoy, budóy, busóy, and idáy, inday, udáy, idíng, iyíng, bididay, nonay, neneng, (applied with tenderness to boys or girls respectively).NOTE.—The wordcuán(so and so), not meaning anything by itself, is applied to persons or things whose names the speaker or writer does not know, or venture, or wish to express. As the phrase “so and so”, it helps a great deal in a conversation, and is used also instead of the verbs and other parts of speech.The wordsinín(contracted ofiní nga) andadâ(I guess, perhaps) are also used in the conversation, as auxiliary particles, they being then equivalent to the Englishwhy.Examples:Question.—“¿Guinsorat mo na an balos?” (Have you already written the answer?)Answer.—“Oo guincoan co na gad” (Yes I already have).Q.—¿Háin an basahón?(Where is the book?)A.—Inin … aadto ada ha ac solód(why … I guess it is in my room)Q.—Mapiráu, ¿ano in bubuhaton co?(I am sleepy, what shall I do?)A.—Ada … catúrog(Why … to sleep).POSITIVE, COMPARATIVE, AND SUPERLATIVE.As in other languages, there are three degrees foradjectives, also used for substantives in Bisayan. These degrees arepositive, comparativeandsuperlative.Nothing particular needs be observed about the positive degree, except what is mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs:[33]The comparatives are formed exactly in the same way as the figuratives38, the number of syllables being disregarded, as if all has more than two syllables.fromhatáas(high),harohataás(higher),from,,hobóg(intoxicated),horohobóg(more intoxicated),from,,táuo(man),tarotauó(more of a man).In the formation of adjectives prefixed withma, this particle is preferably disregarded, as if such particle did not exist, asfrommaópay(good),maoroopáy(better)from,,magbuság(white),maboroboság(whiter), etc.There is another form of comparative consisting in the use of the combined particleslabi(more) andca, aslabí ca maopay(better),labí ca mabusag(whiter).This last form is sometimes used for superlatives.The superlatives are of three classes:Those which do not admit any comparison, and which we call absolute or supreme superlatives, asguimaopáyi(the best of all);those which are not so absolute, and which we call ordinary superlative, as,capín ca maópay}(very good);maopay nga capínmaopay hin sogóng̃39and those which convey the idea of excess, and which we call excessive superlatives, as[34]uraúra40ca maópay}(to good).maópay ng̃a uraúraAs is seen from the preceding examples, the supreme supertive is formed by adding to the beginning of the primitive the prefixguiand by appending to said primitive the affíxi. The first syllable of the primitive may be doubled as use permits. As,fromhatáas(high, tall),guihataási, or guihahataasi(the highest)táuo(man),guitáu’i(a true and perfect man).The first form is also adopted for the substantives to show the highest degree of identity as in this phrase:An guiaamáyi mo gud an natauág ha imo(It is yourveryfather who calls you).The ordinary superlative is formed with the particlescapin caorlabí caplaced before the primitive, or with the particlescaópay, ng̃a capin,orhin sogong̃put after the primitive. As,frommabido(sorry)capín ca mabidò}(very sorry)labí ca mabidòmabidò caopaymabidò ng̃a capínmabidò hin sogóng̃Some of the adjectives formed with particlema, have another form for ordinary superlative, in doubling their root and disregarding the prefixma, as from “masiróm” (dark), “masiromsiróm”41(very dark).Theexcessivesuperlative is formed with the particle[35]uraúra caplaced beforetheprimitive, or the particleng̃a uraúralocated after the root. As,frommaasín(salty)uraúra ca maasín}(excessively salty)maasín ng̃a uraúraThe idea of the excessive superlative is also expressed sometimes with the particles “lapás ca” (excessively), or with the phrase “dirí sonô hin ca” or “dirì socól hin ca” (out of measure), placed before the primitive, aslapás ca maasíndirì sonô hin ca maasíndirì socól hin ca maasín.NOTE.—The particles “labi” and “capin” take sometimes the affixan, asfrommahúsay(orderly, beautiful),labínan ca mahúsay(very beautiful);frommasáquit(painful),masáquit ng̃a capínan(verypainful).CARDINAL, ORDINAL, PARTITIVE, AND DISTRIBUTIVE.The cardinal adjectives are the following:usá, contractedus,(one)duhá(two)tuló(three)upát(four)limá(five)unóm(six)pitó(seven)ualó(eight)siyám(nine)napulò42(ten)[36]napulo cag43usá(eleven).caruhaán44(twenty)catloán(thirty)cap’atán(forty)calim’an(fifty)caúnman(sixty)capitoán(seventy)caualoán(eighty)casiyamán(ninety)usá ca gatós(one hundred)duhá ca gatós(two hundred)usá ca yocót(one thousand)usá ca ríbo45(ten thousand)usá cagatós ca ribo(one million), etc.As it is noticed above, the cardinals are formed by the preposition “cag” (and), the prefix “ca” (which means collection) and the affix “an”, added to the primitives “usá, duhá, tuló, upáo, lima, unóm, pitó, ualó, siyám, napulo, gatós, yocót, ribo”, the phonetical reasons being taken in consideration. Thus we say:caruhaán, not caduhaán,catloan, not catuloán,cap’atán not caupatán,calim’an not calimahán,caúnman, not caunoman.The word “usa” is frequently contracted, especially in familiar language, by the supression of the last vowel. Thus:usca gatos}insteadof “usá” ca etc.usca yocótusca ribo[37]In reading the numbers, the English way is followed, the particles “uga may” being sometimes employed especially in cases of large amounts. Thus, to read this number987654321,we would say:“Casiyamán cag ualó cayocót, pitó cagatós caúnman cag limá caribo, ng̃a may upát ca yocót, tuló ca gatós caruhaán cag usá.”NOTE—In Bisayan, there is no word corresponding to the Englishzero(0). However, its figure is used in Bisayan. It is suggested that the word “lung̃ág” (empty), or “uaráy” (nothing) be adopted as corresponding to the word “zero” which is derived from modern Latinzephiramfrom Arabiccafrun, cifrunorsefer(empty).The ordinals are formed by employing the particles “ica” (which bears the idea of order), placed before the cardinal. Asica usá,ica napulòica calim’anica upat ca gatósica siyam ca yucóticá pito ca ribo.The ordinal ofusahas also simple forms, assiyahan, siyapá,and frequently admits the particleicaginstead ofica, asicag usá.The partitives have exactly the same form, as the ordinals, except in that the ordinalscag usa, siyahanandsiyapáare never used as partitives;and thatthere is the formtung̃âand its variantscatung̃â, tung̃âorcatung̃â hinorng̃a(half), employed instead oficaduhà.The phraseca bahín(part) is frequently used in the partitives to avoid confusion. Thus[38]an icaupát ca bahín(the fourth part)The particleicais sometimes contracted intocaas “catung̃a” (half), “cauróg” (most).The distributives are formed by adding to the cardinals the particletag(which conveys the idea of distribution). Astag dúha(two, each)tag caualóan(eighty, each)tag yúcot(thousand, each)When the distributive bears the meaning of portion, the particleiquinais combined withtag. Asiquina tag duha(each two), etc.COLLECTIVEThe collective nouns are formed by adding at the beginning of the primitivetheprefixca(which bears the idea of collection or reunion) and the affixan. As,frombata(boy or girl),cabatáan(reunion of boys or girls)táuo(person),catauóhan(reunion of persons).duhá(two),caruhaán(twenty).These forms are very frequently usedtomake the plural of the nouns, as of the singularbatáwe make the plural.mga batàorcabataan.NOTE—The particlecais also employed to express abstract ideas, asfrombuság(white color),mabuság(white),camabuság(whiteness)The particlepagis sometimes added at the beginning of the particle, aspagcamabuság(whiteness).The collectives take also the form of the figuratives with or without the particlescaandan, as the use may permit, as[39]caborobong̃tóhan,borobóng̃to.NOTE.—There is another class of nouns which may be calleddepreciative. They are limited in number. The following belong to such class:for batà (child),nagbobóto (a being bornthruan explosion)lumátud (person of big abdomen)lugtuc,46motatô47motó, from botó (report of a gun, explosion);for anác (son or daughter)nahólbot(past participle of “hólbot” to pull out of a hole);for baba (mouth)nasárag (of “sárag” to put something in the mouth);for camót (hand)camrauón (from “cámram”, what an eagle does with its fingers);for tiil (foot)sincádol48etc.There are despectives derived from their primitives, as,for húbya (lazy), “húbsac”49Thevariationsto which the Bisayan names are subject, are: gender, number, and cases.[40]Gender.The gender is scarcely regarded. We have however for few nouns the natural and grammatical genders.Examples of natural gender:MASCULINEFEMININElaláqui(male person)babaye(woman)lalaquí(male not person)babayé(female not person)amay(father)iróy(mother)bána(husband)asáua(wife)bata(uncle)dadâ(aunt)baylo(brother in law)hipág(sister in law), etc.Examples of gramatical gender:MASCULINEFEMININEdudoy50dudaytutoytutayidoyidayintoyindaymanomanamanoymanáymanongmanang51tíotía52, etc.NumberThe plural is determined by the particlemgaorbythose for collectives as formerly seen53, or by the interfixgamong the adjectives. Examples:of táuo (man) “mg̃a táuo,” or “catauóhan” (men),of dacò (large), dagcò (large, plural).[41]of matam-is (sweet), magtam-is (sweet, plural),of hatáas (high), hagtáas (high, plural).When the noun is preceded by numeral adjectives, the singular keeps its form, asusá ca táuo (one man), napulò ca tauo (ten men),usá ng̃a baláy (one house), calim’an ng̃a baláy (fifty houses).Some adjectives do not admit the interfixg, for euphonical reason, asof hubyà (lazy), mg̃a hubya, not húgbyà, etc.Case.There is noinflectionfor Bisayan nouns to distinguish their different cases, as in Greek and Latin. The cases are determined by the prepositions and by variable parts of speech preceding the noun.IMPORTANT OBSERVATION.There are great many Bisayan nouns composed of thesame letters, but which have different meanings according to the accent they bear. Of these are the following:anáy(she-hog),ánay(before)apó(grandson or grand-daughter),ápò(a thing fully introduced)áyao(distributive possession),ayáo(no, imperative)bábà(mouth),babá(to carry a thing on the back)babáye(woman),babayé(female not person)baga(red-hot coal or wood),bága(lung),bagá(like)bálay(turn),baláy(house)bálod(a kind of dove),balód(wave)bálos(return),balós(revenge)bánus(abundant, thick),banús(to scrub)bárang̃(an amulet),baráng(knot)[42]bayáo(brother-in-law),báyao(to lift up)bucád(flower),búcad(to dig up)búhat(work),buhát(to raise)buhi(alive),buhi(losse)buláo(yellow),búlao(to provoke a stranger)búrong54(fog),buróng(to throw)busà(reprimand),búsà(therefore)cóbal(thread),cobál(corn, callosity)comót(sinked),cómot(quick)dósol(pain of the stomack),dosól(despective form of “cáon”, to eat)hóron(to pass the night),horón(farm)igo,(just),igô(to be hit)lága(flame),lagà(cooked)láya(a net for fishing),layà(to wither),layâ(withered)laláqui(man),lalaquí(male, not person)látos(reaching, overtaking),latós(to whip)lúya(weakness),luyà(lime),luyâ(restlessness),luy-a(ginger)muláy(play),múlay(to teach)obós(low),óbos(to exhaust)usá or usâ(one),úsa(to marvel)úpa(reward),upá(rice chaff)pátag(plane),patág(a kind of basket)píli(a tree so called),pilì(to select)pálad(palm),palád(a fish)pusò(flower of banana),pusô(rice especially cooked)pusâ(pounded),pusà(to wash the feet)púto(a dainty so called),pútò(partition),putó(last son or daughter)sábot(agreement),sabót(filement or tounderstand)sácay,(passengeror companion on a boat),sacáy(to embark)sócot(frequent),socót(to collect)[43]súso(teat),susò(thickset),susô(a mollusk so called)tíao(joke),tiáo(maniac)tíma(finished),timá(uneven)túba(a plant so called),tubâ(wine from cocoanut or nipa)tubó(sugar-cane),túbò(to grow), etc.Transposition of accents.The accent of a word frequently changes its place upon its transformation.In the diminutives formed by repetition of the root or by the affixay, the acute accent is always placed upon the penult. Asfrombaláy,balaybálayfrom,,saróual,sarouálayfrom,,balóto,balotóhay.The grave accent of the root is preserved; and its angular accent becomes grave, which is preserved in its repetition. Asfromdacò,dacòdácòfrom,,bohô(hole),bohòbóhò(little hole).When the primitive has the acute accent on its penult, said accent is transferred to the last syllable of the original primitive, the repeated primitive following the preceding rules. As.fromdáhon,dahóndáhonfrom,,cáhoy,cahoycáhoyfrom,,halípot,halipótayfrom,,maópáy,maopay-ópayfrom,,hatáas,hataastáasIn the figuratives, the same rules are followed; and when the interfixrois employed, the primitive generally loses its acute accent which is placed upon the penult of the figurative. Asfromsacayán,sarosacáyan.[44]In the verbal nouns, it is a general rule that when the verb root has its acute accent on its penult, its verbals have said accent trasplaced to their last syllables, andviceversa, asfromsarát, (to write),frombása(to read)parasúratparabasátigsúrattigbasámagsusúratmagbarasásusurátanbarasahánsusurátonbarasahónmasúratmabasáisusúrat,ibarasá;except when the transformative particle ismameaning desirableness, in which case the acute accent is always on the last syllable; and also in case of the particlehi, where the accent is always put on the penult. Asmasuratsurát,himása.In case where the penult, of the verb root is necessarily long, as when its vowel isfollowedby more than one consonant, and when the last syllable of the root is pronounced independently from the consonant or consonants preceding it, then the original acute accent of the root is preserved on the penult of the verbal. Asfromcánhi(to come),dól-ong(to bear, to accompany)paracánhiparadól-ongtigcánhitigdól-ongcumaránhidomoról-ongcaranhíandorol-óngancaranhíondorol-óngonmacanhíonmadol-óngonicaránhiidoról-onghang̃aránhihinonól-ongIn the derivatives, when the accent is on the penult of the primitive, it is also placed on the penult of the[45]derivative; and when the accent is on the last syllable of the primitive, it is also put on the last syllable of the derivative, asfromáram,maárambayáu,mabaráyaupúsod,himósodbúua,buuáontubác,tubacón.It must be noted that we refer to theacuteaccent. It sometimes happens that the last syllable of the primitive has angular accent, in which case such accent is discomposed, the grave being kept and the acute being transposed to the penult of the derivative, asfromsalâ,saláan,where theaof the penult really bears two accents, angular and grave, the angular not being employed for the reason that is it not necessary, as the last twoaaare pronounced separately55, and because it is not proper, as the angular accent is only used at the endings of the words.56In the derivatives formed withtaga, ortag, ormaquithe accent of the root is not changed. Asfrombódo,(salted fish),tagabódobaláy(house),tagbaláycalámay(dark sugar)maquicalámayThe comparatives formed with, the interfixro, have always the accent on the last syllable no matter where it was in the primitive. Asfromhalábà(long),harohalabâuguis(white),urouguís.The superlatives formed with the prefixguiand the affixialways have the accent on the penult, without regarding where it was in the primitive. As[46]fromhalárum(deep),guihahalarúmimatahúm(beautiful),guimamatahúmiThe collectives follow the way in which their primitives are accented, so, if their, primitives have the accent on the penult, they have it on the penult, and when the primitives have the accent on the last syllable they also have it on their last syllables. Asfrombátà(child),cabatáanbaláy(house),cabalayán.It must be observed also that there are nouns which, thru phonetical variations, have more than one forms. Of such words are the following:báchò, bíchò(groaning)bándoc, búndac(kick)guipic, guipác(broken)guisî, gusî, quisî, cusî(sagged)Panalaron, Palanaron, Planaron(one of the suburbs of the town of Tacloban),57piló, lopí(fold)quíróg, coróg(trembling)quirógpos, corógpos(surtout)sitsit, sutsut(whistle)taclap, taplac(blanket), etc.There are also words composed of the same letters but sounding differently and having different meanings thereby, on account of the separation with which some of their syllables are pronounced. Asbágo(a tree),bag-o(new)lauay(saliva),lau-ay(repugnance)tagóc(resin),tág-oc(inarticulatevoice).[47]bágang(an insect),bág-ang(grinder)bútol(bulky),bút-ol(throat)bulánon(moony),bul’ánon(from Bohol), etc.

PROPER AND COMMON

Like in other tongues there is in Bisayan a distinction between proper and common nouns.Tacloban,Catbalaógan,[30]Ilong̃-ílong̃(Iloilo),Espanya(Spain),Pedro(Peter),Guillermo(William), etc., are proper nouns;bucad(flower),bató(stone),áyam(dog), etc., are common.The Bisayan language has also familiar names for persons. AsofPedro,Péndong̃, Endong̃, Edóng̃, Edós, Pedó, etc;of,,Juan,Uáuang̃, Uauay, Uáuà, Uuán, Uuâ, etc;of,,Vicente,Tenteng̃, Titíng̃, Sente, Setée, etc;of,,Rafael,Pápeng̃, Paéng̃, Paél, Pápè, etc;of,,Margarito,Titong̃, Itong̃, Titoy, Itoy, etc.;of,,Francisco,Quicoy, Incoy, Quicò, etc;of,,Juana,Uánday, Uáday, etc.;of,,Antonio,Tónyo, Todóc, etc.;of,,Alejandro,Andong̃, Andoy, etc.;of,,Isabel,Sabel, etc.;of,,Gregorío,Goyóng̃, etc.;of,,Saturnino,Satúr, etc.;of,,Claudia,Calán, etc.Among the names of places, there are a few formed by the prepositioncan(which means possession or property), and the particlesca(which denotes abundance), andguin(which conveys the idea of past passive action), asCansámqui(a place, which probably belonged formerly to one namedSamqui)Can-orquin(place probably owned formerly by one calledOrquin)Canramos,36transformed Carrámos (place probably owned or possessed in former times by one namedRamos)[31]Cabuyúan(place where formerly there was much “buyu” (betelnut))Cabalían(place where the strong current of the sea breaks the oars (balì))Guintiguían(place in the “San Juanico strait,” where the strong current of the seateststhe rowers (tigui))Guintúlyan(a place in Basáy, Samar, where probably many fishes were caught (tulúy) with nets.)Etc.NOTE.—The names of persons among the Bisayan people are all Christian at the present time. Many of the surnames are Spanish, many others being of Bisayan origin as Lágbas, Pócpoc, Macasáit, Cabaobao, Balasbas, Yagomyom, etc.To indicate relationship, as the Englishpapa, mamma, and respect, confidence, or tenderness, there are a number of Bisayan nouns, which show by themselves the relation between the speaker or writer and the person to whom the noun is applied. Examples:forpapa, tátay or tatáy, tátang̃ or tatáng̃, itáy, or itáng̃;for,,mamma, nánay or nanáy, nánang̃ or nanáng̃, ináy, or ináng̃.There are others applied to grandfathers and grandmothers, and also to those persons who act or are considered as fathers or mothers. Examples:Mano, manóng, mamo, mamoy, babay, dudoy, dudù inco, tutoy, yuyu, iyô (applied to elder brothers, uncles or elder male relatives of any degree, even to persons not related to but respected by the speaker or writer).Mana37manang, manáy, mama, mamay. manding, duday, duda, insi tutay, yuya, tuta (applied to elder sisters, aunts or elder female relatives of any[32]degree, even to women not related to, but respected by the speaker or writer).Tío, or tí, tia or tí (applied as á form of politeness and respect, respectively to men or women not related to or unknown by the speaker or writer).Idoy, íntoy, budóy, busóy, and idáy, inday, udáy, idíng, iyíng, bididay, nonay, neneng, (applied with tenderness to boys or girls respectively).NOTE.—The wordcuán(so and so), not meaning anything by itself, is applied to persons or things whose names the speaker or writer does not know, or venture, or wish to express. As the phrase “so and so”, it helps a great deal in a conversation, and is used also instead of the verbs and other parts of speech.The wordsinín(contracted ofiní nga) andadâ(I guess, perhaps) are also used in the conversation, as auxiliary particles, they being then equivalent to the Englishwhy.Examples:Question.—“¿Guinsorat mo na an balos?” (Have you already written the answer?)Answer.—“Oo guincoan co na gad” (Yes I already have).Q.—¿Háin an basahón?(Where is the book?)A.—Inin … aadto ada ha ac solód(why … I guess it is in my room)Q.—Mapiráu, ¿ano in bubuhaton co?(I am sleepy, what shall I do?)A.—Ada … catúrog(Why … to sleep).

The Bisayan language has also familiar names for persons. As

ofPedro,Péndong̃, Endong̃, Edóng̃, Edós, Pedó, etc;of,,Juan,Uáuang̃, Uauay, Uáuà, Uuán, Uuâ, etc;of,,Vicente,Tenteng̃, Titíng̃, Sente, Setée, etc;of,,Rafael,Pápeng̃, Paéng̃, Paél, Pápè, etc;of,,Margarito,Titong̃, Itong̃, Titoy, Itoy, etc.;of,,Francisco,Quicoy, Incoy, Quicò, etc;of,,Juana,Uánday, Uáday, etc.;of,,Antonio,Tónyo, Todóc, etc.;of,,Alejandro,Andong̃, Andoy, etc.;of,,Isabel,Sabel, etc.;of,,Gregorío,Goyóng̃, etc.;of,,Saturnino,Satúr, etc.;of,,Claudia,Calán, etc.

Among the names of places, there are a few formed by the prepositioncan(which means possession or property), and the particlesca(which denotes abundance), andguin(which conveys the idea of past passive action), as

Cansámqui(a place, which probably belonged formerly to one namedSamqui)Can-orquin(place probably owned formerly by one calledOrquin)Canramos,36transformed Carrámos (place probably owned or possessed in former times by one namedRamos)[31]Cabuyúan(place where formerly there was much “buyu” (betelnut))Cabalían(place where the strong current of the sea breaks the oars (balì))Guintiguían(place in the “San Juanico strait,” where the strong current of the seateststhe rowers (tigui))Guintúlyan(a place in Basáy, Samar, where probably many fishes were caught (tulúy) with nets.)Etc.

NOTE.—The names of persons among the Bisayan people are all Christian at the present time. Many of the surnames are Spanish, many others being of Bisayan origin as Lágbas, Pócpoc, Macasáit, Cabaobao, Balasbas, Yagomyom, etc.

To indicate relationship, as the Englishpapa, mamma, and respect, confidence, or tenderness, there are a number of Bisayan nouns, which show by themselves the relation between the speaker or writer and the person to whom the noun is applied. Examples:

There are others applied to grandfathers and grandmothers, and also to those persons who act or are considered as fathers or mothers. Examples:

NOTE.—The wordcuán(so and so), not meaning anything by itself, is applied to persons or things whose names the speaker or writer does not know, or venture, or wish to express. As the phrase “so and so”, it helps a great deal in a conversation, and is used also instead of the verbs and other parts of speech.

The wordsinín(contracted ofiní nga) andadâ(I guess, perhaps) are also used in the conversation, as auxiliary particles, they being then equivalent to the Englishwhy.

Examples:

POSITIVE, COMPARATIVE, AND SUPERLATIVE.As in other languages, there are three degrees foradjectives, also used for substantives in Bisayan. These degrees arepositive, comparativeandsuperlative.Nothing particular needs be observed about the positive degree, except what is mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs:[33]The comparatives are formed exactly in the same way as the figuratives38, the number of syllables being disregarded, as if all has more than two syllables.fromhatáas(high),harohataás(higher),from,,hobóg(intoxicated),horohobóg(more intoxicated),from,,táuo(man),tarotauó(more of a man).In the formation of adjectives prefixed withma, this particle is preferably disregarded, as if such particle did not exist, asfrommaópay(good),maoroopáy(better)from,,magbuság(white),maboroboság(whiter), etc.There is another form of comparative consisting in the use of the combined particleslabi(more) andca, aslabí ca maopay(better),labí ca mabusag(whiter).This last form is sometimes used for superlatives.The superlatives are of three classes:Those which do not admit any comparison, and which we call absolute or supreme superlatives, asguimaopáyi(the best of all);those which are not so absolute, and which we call ordinary superlative, as,capín ca maópay}(very good);maopay nga capínmaopay hin sogóng̃39and those which convey the idea of excess, and which we call excessive superlatives, as[34]uraúra40ca maópay}(to good).maópay ng̃a uraúraAs is seen from the preceding examples, the supreme supertive is formed by adding to the beginning of the primitive the prefixguiand by appending to said primitive the affíxi. The first syllable of the primitive may be doubled as use permits. As,fromhatáas(high, tall),guihataási, or guihahataasi(the highest)táuo(man),guitáu’i(a true and perfect man).The first form is also adopted for the substantives to show the highest degree of identity as in this phrase:An guiaamáyi mo gud an natauág ha imo(It is yourveryfather who calls you).The ordinary superlative is formed with the particlescapin caorlabí caplaced before the primitive, or with the particlescaópay, ng̃a capin,orhin sogong̃put after the primitive. As,frommabido(sorry)capín ca mabidò}(very sorry)labí ca mabidòmabidò caopaymabidò ng̃a capínmabidò hin sogóng̃Some of the adjectives formed with particlema, have another form for ordinary superlative, in doubling their root and disregarding the prefixma, as from “masiróm” (dark), “masiromsiróm”41(very dark).Theexcessivesuperlative is formed with the particle[35]uraúra caplaced beforetheprimitive, or the particleng̃a uraúralocated after the root. As,frommaasín(salty)uraúra ca maasín}(excessively salty)maasín ng̃a uraúraThe idea of the excessive superlative is also expressed sometimes with the particles “lapás ca” (excessively), or with the phrase “dirí sonô hin ca” or “dirì socól hin ca” (out of measure), placed before the primitive, aslapás ca maasíndirì sonô hin ca maasíndirì socól hin ca maasín.NOTE.—The particles “labi” and “capin” take sometimes the affixan, asfrommahúsay(orderly, beautiful),labínan ca mahúsay(very beautiful);frommasáquit(painful),masáquit ng̃a capínan(verypainful).

POSITIVE, COMPARATIVE, AND SUPERLATIVE.

As in other languages, there are three degrees foradjectives, also used for substantives in Bisayan. These degrees arepositive, comparativeandsuperlative.Nothing particular needs be observed about the positive degree, except what is mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs:[33]The comparatives are formed exactly in the same way as the figuratives38, the number of syllables being disregarded, as if all has more than two syllables.fromhatáas(high),harohataás(higher),from,,hobóg(intoxicated),horohobóg(more intoxicated),from,,táuo(man),tarotauó(more of a man).In the formation of adjectives prefixed withma, this particle is preferably disregarded, as if such particle did not exist, asfrommaópay(good),maoroopáy(better)from,,magbuság(white),maboroboság(whiter), etc.There is another form of comparative consisting in the use of the combined particleslabi(more) andca, aslabí ca maopay(better),labí ca mabusag(whiter).This last form is sometimes used for superlatives.The superlatives are of three classes:Those which do not admit any comparison, and which we call absolute or supreme superlatives, asguimaopáyi(the best of all);those which are not so absolute, and which we call ordinary superlative, as,capín ca maópay}(very good);maopay nga capínmaopay hin sogóng̃39and those which convey the idea of excess, and which we call excessive superlatives, as[34]uraúra40ca maópay}(to good).maópay ng̃a uraúraAs is seen from the preceding examples, the supreme supertive is formed by adding to the beginning of the primitive the prefixguiand by appending to said primitive the affíxi. The first syllable of the primitive may be doubled as use permits. As,fromhatáas(high, tall),guihataási, or guihahataasi(the highest)táuo(man),guitáu’i(a true and perfect man).The first form is also adopted for the substantives to show the highest degree of identity as in this phrase:An guiaamáyi mo gud an natauág ha imo(It is yourveryfather who calls you).The ordinary superlative is formed with the particlescapin caorlabí caplaced before the primitive, or with the particlescaópay, ng̃a capin,orhin sogong̃put after the primitive. As,frommabido(sorry)capín ca mabidò}(very sorry)labí ca mabidòmabidò caopaymabidò ng̃a capínmabidò hin sogóng̃Some of the adjectives formed with particlema, have another form for ordinary superlative, in doubling their root and disregarding the prefixma, as from “masiróm” (dark), “masiromsiróm”41(very dark).Theexcessivesuperlative is formed with the particle[35]uraúra caplaced beforetheprimitive, or the particleng̃a uraúralocated after the root. As,frommaasín(salty)uraúra ca maasín}(excessively salty)maasín ng̃a uraúraThe idea of the excessive superlative is also expressed sometimes with the particles “lapás ca” (excessively), or with the phrase “dirí sonô hin ca” or “dirì socól hin ca” (out of measure), placed before the primitive, aslapás ca maasíndirì sonô hin ca maasíndirì socól hin ca maasín.NOTE.—The particles “labi” and “capin” take sometimes the affixan, asfrommahúsay(orderly, beautiful),labínan ca mahúsay(very beautiful);frommasáquit(painful),masáquit ng̃a capínan(verypainful).

As in other languages, there are three degrees foradjectives, also used for substantives in Bisayan. These degrees arepositive, comparativeandsuperlative.

Nothing particular needs be observed about the positive degree, except what is mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs:[33]

The comparatives are formed exactly in the same way as the figuratives38, the number of syllables being disregarded, as if all has more than two syllables.

fromhatáas(high),harohataás(higher),from,,hobóg(intoxicated),horohobóg(more intoxicated),from,,táuo(man),tarotauó(more of a man).

In the formation of adjectives prefixed withma, this particle is preferably disregarded, as if such particle did not exist, as

frommaópay(good),maoroopáy(better)from,,magbuság(white),maboroboság(whiter), etc.

There is another form of comparative consisting in the use of the combined particleslabi(more) andca, as

labí ca maopay(better),labí ca mabusag(whiter).

This last form is sometimes used for superlatives.

The superlatives are of three classes:

Those which do not admit any comparison, and which we call absolute or supreme superlatives, as

guimaopáyi(the best of all);

those which are not so absolute, and which we call ordinary superlative, as,

capín ca maópay}(very good);maopay nga capínmaopay hin sogóng̃39

and those which convey the idea of excess, and which we call excessive superlatives, as[34]

uraúra40ca maópay}(to good).maópay ng̃a uraúra

As is seen from the preceding examples, the supreme supertive is formed by adding to the beginning of the primitive the prefixguiand by appending to said primitive the affíxi. The first syllable of the primitive may be doubled as use permits. As,

fromhatáas(high, tall),guihataási, or guihahataasi(the highest)táuo(man),guitáu’i(a true and perfect man).

The first form is also adopted for the substantives to show the highest degree of identity as in this phrase:

The ordinary superlative is formed with the particlescapin caorlabí caplaced before the primitive, or with the particlescaópay, ng̃a capin,orhin sogong̃put after the primitive. As,

frommabido(sorry)capín ca mabidò}(very sorry)labí ca mabidòmabidò caopaymabidò ng̃a capínmabidò hin sogóng̃

Some of the adjectives formed with particlema, have another form for ordinary superlative, in doubling their root and disregarding the prefixma, as from “masiróm” (dark), “masiromsiróm”41(very dark).

Theexcessivesuperlative is formed with the particle[35]uraúra caplaced beforetheprimitive, or the particleng̃a uraúralocated after the root. As,

frommaasín(salty)uraúra ca maasín}(excessively salty)maasín ng̃a uraúra

The idea of the excessive superlative is also expressed sometimes with the particles “lapás ca” (excessively), or with the phrase “dirí sonô hin ca” or “dirì socól hin ca” (out of measure), placed before the primitive, as

NOTE.—The particles “labi” and “capin” take sometimes the affixan, as

frommahúsay(orderly, beautiful),labínan ca mahúsay(very beautiful);frommasáquit(painful),masáquit ng̃a capínan(verypainful).

CARDINAL, ORDINAL, PARTITIVE, AND DISTRIBUTIVE.The cardinal adjectives are the following:usá, contractedus,(one)duhá(two)tuló(three)upát(four)limá(five)unóm(six)pitó(seven)ualó(eight)siyám(nine)napulò42(ten)[36]napulo cag43usá(eleven).caruhaán44(twenty)catloán(thirty)cap’atán(forty)calim’an(fifty)caúnman(sixty)capitoán(seventy)caualoán(eighty)casiyamán(ninety)usá ca gatós(one hundred)duhá ca gatós(two hundred)usá ca yocót(one thousand)usá ca ríbo45(ten thousand)usá cagatós ca ribo(one million), etc.As it is noticed above, the cardinals are formed by the preposition “cag” (and), the prefix “ca” (which means collection) and the affix “an”, added to the primitives “usá, duhá, tuló, upáo, lima, unóm, pitó, ualó, siyám, napulo, gatós, yocót, ribo”, the phonetical reasons being taken in consideration. Thus we say:caruhaán, not caduhaán,catloan, not catuloán,cap’atán not caupatán,calim’an not calimahán,caúnman, not caunoman.The word “usa” is frequently contracted, especially in familiar language, by the supression of the last vowel. Thus:usca gatos}insteadof “usá” ca etc.usca yocótusca ribo[37]In reading the numbers, the English way is followed, the particles “uga may” being sometimes employed especially in cases of large amounts. Thus, to read this number987654321,we would say:“Casiyamán cag ualó cayocót, pitó cagatós caúnman cag limá caribo, ng̃a may upát ca yocót, tuló ca gatós caruhaán cag usá.”NOTE—In Bisayan, there is no word corresponding to the Englishzero(0). However, its figure is used in Bisayan. It is suggested that the word “lung̃ág” (empty), or “uaráy” (nothing) be adopted as corresponding to the word “zero” which is derived from modern Latinzephiramfrom Arabiccafrun, cifrunorsefer(empty).The ordinals are formed by employing the particles “ica” (which bears the idea of order), placed before the cardinal. Asica usá,ica napulòica calim’anica upat ca gatósica siyam ca yucóticá pito ca ribo.The ordinal ofusahas also simple forms, assiyahan, siyapá,and frequently admits the particleicaginstead ofica, asicag usá.The partitives have exactly the same form, as the ordinals, except in that the ordinalscag usa, siyahanandsiyapáare never used as partitives;and thatthere is the formtung̃âand its variantscatung̃â, tung̃âorcatung̃â hinorng̃a(half), employed instead oficaduhà.The phraseca bahín(part) is frequently used in the partitives to avoid confusion. Thus[38]an icaupát ca bahín(the fourth part)The particleicais sometimes contracted intocaas “catung̃a” (half), “cauróg” (most).The distributives are formed by adding to the cardinals the particletag(which conveys the idea of distribution). Astag dúha(two, each)tag caualóan(eighty, each)tag yúcot(thousand, each)When the distributive bears the meaning of portion, the particleiquinais combined withtag. Asiquina tag duha(each two), etc.

CARDINAL, ORDINAL, PARTITIVE, AND DISTRIBUTIVE.

The cardinal adjectives are the following:usá, contractedus,(one)duhá(two)tuló(three)upát(four)limá(five)unóm(six)pitó(seven)ualó(eight)siyám(nine)napulò42(ten)[36]napulo cag43usá(eleven).caruhaán44(twenty)catloán(thirty)cap’atán(forty)calim’an(fifty)caúnman(sixty)capitoán(seventy)caualoán(eighty)casiyamán(ninety)usá ca gatós(one hundred)duhá ca gatós(two hundred)usá ca yocót(one thousand)usá ca ríbo45(ten thousand)usá cagatós ca ribo(one million), etc.As it is noticed above, the cardinals are formed by the preposition “cag” (and), the prefix “ca” (which means collection) and the affix “an”, added to the primitives “usá, duhá, tuló, upáo, lima, unóm, pitó, ualó, siyám, napulo, gatós, yocót, ribo”, the phonetical reasons being taken in consideration. Thus we say:caruhaán, not caduhaán,catloan, not catuloán,cap’atán not caupatán,calim’an not calimahán,caúnman, not caunoman.The word “usa” is frequently contracted, especially in familiar language, by the supression of the last vowel. Thus:usca gatos}insteadof “usá” ca etc.usca yocótusca ribo[37]In reading the numbers, the English way is followed, the particles “uga may” being sometimes employed especially in cases of large amounts. Thus, to read this number987654321,we would say:“Casiyamán cag ualó cayocót, pitó cagatós caúnman cag limá caribo, ng̃a may upát ca yocót, tuló ca gatós caruhaán cag usá.”NOTE—In Bisayan, there is no word corresponding to the Englishzero(0). However, its figure is used in Bisayan. It is suggested that the word “lung̃ág” (empty), or “uaráy” (nothing) be adopted as corresponding to the word “zero” which is derived from modern Latinzephiramfrom Arabiccafrun, cifrunorsefer(empty).The ordinals are formed by employing the particles “ica” (which bears the idea of order), placed before the cardinal. Asica usá,ica napulòica calim’anica upat ca gatósica siyam ca yucóticá pito ca ribo.The ordinal ofusahas also simple forms, assiyahan, siyapá,and frequently admits the particleicaginstead ofica, asicag usá.The partitives have exactly the same form, as the ordinals, except in that the ordinalscag usa, siyahanandsiyapáare never used as partitives;and thatthere is the formtung̃âand its variantscatung̃â, tung̃âorcatung̃â hinorng̃a(half), employed instead oficaduhà.The phraseca bahín(part) is frequently used in the partitives to avoid confusion. Thus[38]an icaupát ca bahín(the fourth part)The particleicais sometimes contracted intocaas “catung̃a” (half), “cauróg” (most).The distributives are formed by adding to the cardinals the particletag(which conveys the idea of distribution). Astag dúha(two, each)tag caualóan(eighty, each)tag yúcot(thousand, each)When the distributive bears the meaning of portion, the particleiquinais combined withtag. Asiquina tag duha(each two), etc.

The cardinal adjectives are the following:

usá, contractedus,(one)duhá(two)tuló(three)upát(four)limá(five)unóm(six)pitó(seven)ualó(eight)siyám(nine)napulò42(ten)[36]napulo cag43usá(eleven).caruhaán44(twenty)catloán(thirty)cap’atán(forty)calim’an(fifty)caúnman(sixty)capitoán(seventy)caualoán(eighty)casiyamán(ninety)usá ca gatós(one hundred)duhá ca gatós(two hundred)usá ca yocót(one thousand)usá ca ríbo45(ten thousand)usá cagatós ca ribo(one million), etc.

As it is noticed above, the cardinals are formed by the preposition “cag” (and), the prefix “ca” (which means collection) and the affix “an”, added to the primitives “usá, duhá, tuló, upáo, lima, unóm, pitó, ualó, siyám, napulo, gatós, yocót, ribo”, the phonetical reasons being taken in consideration. Thus we say:

The word “usa” is frequently contracted, especially in familiar language, by the supression of the last vowel. Thus:

usca gatos}insteadof “usá” ca etc.usca yocótusca ribo

[37]

In reading the numbers, the English way is followed, the particles “uga may” being sometimes employed especially in cases of large amounts. Thus, to read this number

987654321,

we would say:

“Casiyamán cag ualó cayocót, pitó cagatós caúnman cag limá caribo, ng̃a may upát ca yocót, tuló ca gatós caruhaán cag usá.”

NOTE—In Bisayan, there is no word corresponding to the Englishzero(0). However, its figure is used in Bisayan. It is suggested that the word “lung̃ág” (empty), or “uaráy” (nothing) be adopted as corresponding to the word “zero” which is derived from modern Latinzephiramfrom Arabiccafrun, cifrunorsefer(empty).

The ordinals are formed by employing the particles “ica” (which bears the idea of order), placed before the cardinal. As

The ordinal ofusahas also simple forms, assiyahan, siyapá,and frequently admits the particleicaginstead ofica, asicag usá.

The partitives have exactly the same form, as the ordinals, except in that the ordinalscag usa, siyahanandsiyapáare never used as partitives;and thatthere is the formtung̃âand its variantscatung̃â, tung̃âorcatung̃â hinorng̃a(half), employed instead oficaduhà.

The phraseca bahín(part) is frequently used in the partitives to avoid confusion. Thus[38]

an icaupát ca bahín(the fourth part)

The particleicais sometimes contracted intocaas “catung̃a” (half), “cauróg” (most).

The distributives are formed by adding to the cardinals the particletag(which conveys the idea of distribution). As

tag dúha(two, each)tag caualóan(eighty, each)tag yúcot(thousand, each)

When the distributive bears the meaning of portion, the particleiquinais combined withtag. As

iquina tag duha(each two), etc.

COLLECTIVEThe collective nouns are formed by adding at the beginning of the primitivetheprefixca(which bears the idea of collection or reunion) and the affixan. As,frombata(boy or girl),cabatáan(reunion of boys or girls)táuo(person),catauóhan(reunion of persons).duhá(two),caruhaán(twenty).These forms are very frequently usedtomake the plural of the nouns, as of the singularbatáwe make the plural.mga batàorcabataan.NOTE—The particlecais also employed to express abstract ideas, asfrombuság(white color),mabuság(white),camabuság(whiteness)The particlepagis sometimes added at the beginning of the particle, aspagcamabuság(whiteness).The collectives take also the form of the figuratives with or without the particlescaandan, as the use may permit, as[39]caborobong̃tóhan,borobóng̃to.NOTE.—There is another class of nouns which may be calleddepreciative. They are limited in number. The following belong to such class:for batà (child),nagbobóto (a being bornthruan explosion)lumátud (person of big abdomen)lugtuc,46motatô47motó, from botó (report of a gun, explosion);for anác (son or daughter)nahólbot(past participle of “hólbot” to pull out of a hole);for baba (mouth)nasárag (of “sárag” to put something in the mouth);for camót (hand)camrauón (from “cámram”, what an eagle does with its fingers);for tiil (foot)sincádol48etc.There are despectives derived from their primitives, as,for húbya (lazy), “húbsac”49Thevariationsto which the Bisayan names are subject, are: gender, number, and cases.[40]

COLLECTIVE

The collective nouns are formed by adding at the beginning of the primitivetheprefixca(which bears the idea of collection or reunion) and the affixan. As,frombata(boy or girl),cabatáan(reunion of boys or girls)táuo(person),catauóhan(reunion of persons).duhá(two),caruhaán(twenty).These forms are very frequently usedtomake the plural of the nouns, as of the singularbatáwe make the plural.mga batàorcabataan.NOTE—The particlecais also employed to express abstract ideas, asfrombuság(white color),mabuság(white),camabuság(whiteness)The particlepagis sometimes added at the beginning of the particle, aspagcamabuság(whiteness).The collectives take also the form of the figuratives with or without the particlescaandan, as the use may permit, as[39]caborobong̃tóhan,borobóng̃to.NOTE.—There is another class of nouns which may be calleddepreciative. They are limited in number. The following belong to such class:for batà (child),nagbobóto (a being bornthruan explosion)lumátud (person of big abdomen)lugtuc,46motatô47motó, from botó (report of a gun, explosion);for anác (son or daughter)nahólbot(past participle of “hólbot” to pull out of a hole);for baba (mouth)nasárag (of “sárag” to put something in the mouth);for camót (hand)camrauón (from “cámram”, what an eagle does with its fingers);for tiil (foot)sincádol48etc.There are despectives derived from their primitives, as,for húbya (lazy), “húbsac”49Thevariationsto which the Bisayan names are subject, are: gender, number, and cases.[40]

The collective nouns are formed by adding at the beginning of the primitivetheprefixca(which bears the idea of collection or reunion) and the affixan. As,

frombata(boy or girl),cabatáan(reunion of boys or girls)táuo(person),catauóhan(reunion of persons).duhá(two),caruhaán(twenty).

These forms are very frequently usedtomake the plural of the nouns, as of the singularbatáwe make the plural.

mga batàorcabataan.

NOTE—The particlecais also employed to express abstract ideas, as

frombuság(white color),mabuság(white),camabuság(whiteness)

The particlepagis sometimes added at the beginning of the particle, as

pagcamabuság(whiteness).

The collectives take also the form of the figuratives with or without the particlescaandan, as the use may permit, as[39]

caborobong̃tóhan,borobóng̃to.

NOTE.—There is another class of nouns which may be calleddepreciative. They are limited in number. The following belong to such class:

for batà (child),

for anác (son or daughter)

for baba (mouth)

for camót (hand)

for tiil (foot)

There are despectives derived from their primitives, as,

Thevariationsto which the Bisayan names are subject, are: gender, number, and cases.[40]

Gender.The gender is scarcely regarded. We have however for few nouns the natural and grammatical genders.Examples of natural gender:MASCULINEFEMININElaláqui(male person)babaye(woman)lalaquí(male not person)babayé(female not person)amay(father)iróy(mother)bána(husband)asáua(wife)bata(uncle)dadâ(aunt)baylo(brother in law)hipág(sister in law), etc.Examples of gramatical gender:MASCULINEFEMININEdudoy50dudaytutoytutayidoyidayintoyindaymanomanamanoymanáymanongmanang51tíotía52, etc.

Gender.

The gender is scarcely regarded. We have however for few nouns the natural and grammatical genders.Examples of natural gender:MASCULINEFEMININElaláqui(male person)babaye(woman)lalaquí(male not person)babayé(female not person)amay(father)iróy(mother)bána(husband)asáua(wife)bata(uncle)dadâ(aunt)baylo(brother in law)hipág(sister in law), etc.Examples of gramatical gender:MASCULINEFEMININEdudoy50dudaytutoytutayidoyidayintoyindaymanomanamanoymanáymanongmanang51tíotía52, etc.

The gender is scarcely regarded. We have however for few nouns the natural and grammatical genders.

Examples of natural gender:

MASCULINEFEMININElaláqui(male person)babaye(woman)lalaquí(male not person)babayé(female not person)amay(father)iróy(mother)bána(husband)asáua(wife)bata(uncle)dadâ(aunt)baylo(brother in law)hipág(sister in law), etc.

Examples of gramatical gender:

MASCULINEFEMININEdudoy50dudaytutoytutayidoyidayintoyindaymanomanamanoymanáymanongmanang51tíotía52, etc.

NumberThe plural is determined by the particlemgaorbythose for collectives as formerly seen53, or by the interfixgamong the adjectives. Examples:of táuo (man) “mg̃a táuo,” or “catauóhan” (men),of dacò (large), dagcò (large, plural).[41]of matam-is (sweet), magtam-is (sweet, plural),of hatáas (high), hagtáas (high, plural).When the noun is preceded by numeral adjectives, the singular keeps its form, asusá ca táuo (one man), napulò ca tauo (ten men),usá ng̃a baláy (one house), calim’an ng̃a baláy (fifty houses).Some adjectives do not admit the interfixg, for euphonical reason, asof hubyà (lazy), mg̃a hubya, not húgbyà, etc.

Number

The plural is determined by the particlemgaorbythose for collectives as formerly seen53, or by the interfixgamong the adjectives. Examples:of táuo (man) “mg̃a táuo,” or “catauóhan” (men),of dacò (large), dagcò (large, plural).[41]of matam-is (sweet), magtam-is (sweet, plural),of hatáas (high), hagtáas (high, plural).When the noun is preceded by numeral adjectives, the singular keeps its form, asusá ca táuo (one man), napulò ca tauo (ten men),usá ng̃a baláy (one house), calim’an ng̃a baláy (fifty houses).Some adjectives do not admit the interfixg, for euphonical reason, asof hubyà (lazy), mg̃a hubya, not húgbyà, etc.

The plural is determined by the particlemgaorbythose for collectives as formerly seen53, or by the interfixgamong the adjectives. Examples:

When the noun is preceded by numeral adjectives, the singular keeps its form, as

Some adjectives do not admit the interfixg, for euphonical reason, as

Case.There is noinflectionfor Bisayan nouns to distinguish their different cases, as in Greek and Latin. The cases are determined by the prepositions and by variable parts of speech preceding the noun.

Case.

There is noinflectionfor Bisayan nouns to distinguish their different cases, as in Greek and Latin. The cases are determined by the prepositions and by variable parts of speech preceding the noun.

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION.There are great many Bisayan nouns composed of thesame letters, but which have different meanings according to the accent they bear. Of these are the following:anáy(she-hog),ánay(before)apó(grandson or grand-daughter),ápò(a thing fully introduced)áyao(distributive possession),ayáo(no, imperative)bábà(mouth),babá(to carry a thing on the back)babáye(woman),babayé(female not person)baga(red-hot coal or wood),bága(lung),bagá(like)bálay(turn),baláy(house)bálod(a kind of dove),balód(wave)bálos(return),balós(revenge)bánus(abundant, thick),banús(to scrub)bárang̃(an amulet),baráng(knot)[42]bayáo(brother-in-law),báyao(to lift up)bucád(flower),búcad(to dig up)búhat(work),buhát(to raise)buhi(alive),buhi(losse)buláo(yellow),búlao(to provoke a stranger)búrong54(fog),buróng(to throw)busà(reprimand),búsà(therefore)cóbal(thread),cobál(corn, callosity)comót(sinked),cómot(quick)dósol(pain of the stomack),dosól(despective form of “cáon”, to eat)hóron(to pass the night),horón(farm)igo,(just),igô(to be hit)lága(flame),lagà(cooked)láya(a net for fishing),layà(to wither),layâ(withered)laláqui(man),lalaquí(male, not person)látos(reaching, overtaking),latós(to whip)lúya(weakness),luyà(lime),luyâ(restlessness),luy-a(ginger)muláy(play),múlay(to teach)obós(low),óbos(to exhaust)usá or usâ(one),úsa(to marvel)úpa(reward),upá(rice chaff)pátag(plane),patág(a kind of basket)píli(a tree so called),pilì(to select)pálad(palm),palád(a fish)pusò(flower of banana),pusô(rice especially cooked)pusâ(pounded),pusà(to wash the feet)púto(a dainty so called),pútò(partition),putó(last son or daughter)sábot(agreement),sabót(filement or tounderstand)sácay,(passengeror companion on a boat),sacáy(to embark)sócot(frequent),socót(to collect)[43]súso(teat),susò(thickset),susô(a mollusk so called)tíao(joke),tiáo(maniac)tíma(finished),timá(uneven)túba(a plant so called),tubâ(wine from cocoanut or nipa)tubó(sugar-cane),túbò(to grow), etc.

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION.

There are great many Bisayan nouns composed of thesame letters, but which have different meanings according to the accent they bear. Of these are the following:anáy(she-hog),ánay(before)apó(grandson or grand-daughter),ápò(a thing fully introduced)áyao(distributive possession),ayáo(no, imperative)bábà(mouth),babá(to carry a thing on the back)babáye(woman),babayé(female not person)baga(red-hot coal or wood),bága(lung),bagá(like)bálay(turn),baláy(house)bálod(a kind of dove),balód(wave)bálos(return),balós(revenge)bánus(abundant, thick),banús(to scrub)bárang̃(an amulet),baráng(knot)[42]bayáo(brother-in-law),báyao(to lift up)bucád(flower),búcad(to dig up)búhat(work),buhát(to raise)buhi(alive),buhi(losse)buláo(yellow),búlao(to provoke a stranger)búrong54(fog),buróng(to throw)busà(reprimand),búsà(therefore)cóbal(thread),cobál(corn, callosity)comót(sinked),cómot(quick)dósol(pain of the stomack),dosól(despective form of “cáon”, to eat)hóron(to pass the night),horón(farm)igo,(just),igô(to be hit)lága(flame),lagà(cooked)láya(a net for fishing),layà(to wither),layâ(withered)laláqui(man),lalaquí(male, not person)látos(reaching, overtaking),latós(to whip)lúya(weakness),luyà(lime),luyâ(restlessness),luy-a(ginger)muláy(play),múlay(to teach)obós(low),óbos(to exhaust)usá or usâ(one),úsa(to marvel)úpa(reward),upá(rice chaff)pátag(plane),patág(a kind of basket)píli(a tree so called),pilì(to select)pálad(palm),palád(a fish)pusò(flower of banana),pusô(rice especially cooked)pusâ(pounded),pusà(to wash the feet)púto(a dainty so called),pútò(partition),putó(last son or daughter)sábot(agreement),sabót(filement or tounderstand)sácay,(passengeror companion on a boat),sacáy(to embark)sócot(frequent),socót(to collect)[43]súso(teat),susò(thickset),susô(a mollusk so called)tíao(joke),tiáo(maniac)tíma(finished),timá(uneven)túba(a plant so called),tubâ(wine from cocoanut or nipa)tubó(sugar-cane),túbò(to grow), etc.

There are great many Bisayan nouns composed of thesame letters, but which have different meanings according to the accent they bear. Of these are the following:

anáy(she-hog),ánay(before)apó(grandson or grand-daughter),ápò(a thing fully introduced)áyao(distributive possession),ayáo(no, imperative)bábà(mouth),babá(to carry a thing on the back)babáye(woman),babayé(female not person)baga(red-hot coal or wood),bága(lung),bagá(like)bálay(turn),baláy(house)bálod(a kind of dove),balód(wave)bálos(return),balós(revenge)bánus(abundant, thick),banús(to scrub)bárang̃(an amulet),baráng(knot)[42]bayáo(brother-in-law),báyao(to lift up)bucád(flower),búcad(to dig up)búhat(work),buhát(to raise)buhi(alive),buhi(losse)buláo(yellow),búlao(to provoke a stranger)búrong54(fog),buróng(to throw)busà(reprimand),búsà(therefore)cóbal(thread),cobál(corn, callosity)comót(sinked),cómot(quick)dósol(pain of the stomack),dosól(despective form of “cáon”, to eat)hóron(to pass the night),horón(farm)igo,(just),igô(to be hit)lága(flame),lagà(cooked)láya(a net for fishing),layà(to wither),layâ(withered)laláqui(man),lalaquí(male, not person)látos(reaching, overtaking),latós(to whip)lúya(weakness),luyà(lime),luyâ(restlessness),luy-a(ginger)muláy(play),múlay(to teach)obós(low),óbos(to exhaust)usá or usâ(one),úsa(to marvel)úpa(reward),upá(rice chaff)pátag(plane),patág(a kind of basket)píli(a tree so called),pilì(to select)pálad(palm),palád(a fish)pusò(flower of banana),pusô(rice especially cooked)pusâ(pounded),pusà(to wash the feet)púto(a dainty so called),pútò(partition),putó(last son or daughter)sábot(agreement),sabót(filement or tounderstand)sácay,(passengeror companion on a boat),sacáy(to embark)sócot(frequent),socót(to collect)[43]súso(teat),susò(thickset),susô(a mollusk so called)tíao(joke),tiáo(maniac)tíma(finished),timá(uneven)túba(a plant so called),tubâ(wine from cocoanut or nipa)tubó(sugar-cane),túbò(to grow), etc.

Transposition of accents.The accent of a word frequently changes its place upon its transformation.In the diminutives formed by repetition of the root or by the affixay, the acute accent is always placed upon the penult. Asfrombaláy,balaybálayfrom,,saróual,sarouálayfrom,,balóto,balotóhay.The grave accent of the root is preserved; and its angular accent becomes grave, which is preserved in its repetition. Asfromdacò,dacòdácòfrom,,bohô(hole),bohòbóhò(little hole).When the primitive has the acute accent on its penult, said accent is transferred to the last syllable of the original primitive, the repeated primitive following the preceding rules. As.fromdáhon,dahóndáhonfrom,,cáhoy,cahoycáhoyfrom,,halípot,halipótayfrom,,maópáy,maopay-ópayfrom,,hatáas,hataastáasIn the figuratives, the same rules are followed; and when the interfixrois employed, the primitive generally loses its acute accent which is placed upon the penult of the figurative. Asfromsacayán,sarosacáyan.[44]In the verbal nouns, it is a general rule that when the verb root has its acute accent on its penult, its verbals have said accent trasplaced to their last syllables, andviceversa, asfromsarát, (to write),frombása(to read)parasúratparabasátigsúrattigbasámagsusúratmagbarasásusurátanbarasahánsusurátonbarasahónmasúratmabasáisusúrat,ibarasá;except when the transformative particle ismameaning desirableness, in which case the acute accent is always on the last syllable; and also in case of the particlehi, where the accent is always put on the penult. Asmasuratsurát,himása.In case where the penult, of the verb root is necessarily long, as when its vowel isfollowedby more than one consonant, and when the last syllable of the root is pronounced independently from the consonant or consonants preceding it, then the original acute accent of the root is preserved on the penult of the verbal. Asfromcánhi(to come),dól-ong(to bear, to accompany)paracánhiparadól-ongtigcánhitigdól-ongcumaránhidomoról-ongcaranhíandorol-óngancaranhíondorol-óngonmacanhíonmadol-óngonicaránhiidoról-onghang̃aránhihinonól-ongIn the derivatives, when the accent is on the penult of the primitive, it is also placed on the penult of the[45]derivative; and when the accent is on the last syllable of the primitive, it is also put on the last syllable of the derivative, asfromáram,maárambayáu,mabaráyaupúsod,himósodbúua,buuáontubác,tubacón.It must be noted that we refer to theacuteaccent. It sometimes happens that the last syllable of the primitive has angular accent, in which case such accent is discomposed, the grave being kept and the acute being transposed to the penult of the derivative, asfromsalâ,saláan,where theaof the penult really bears two accents, angular and grave, the angular not being employed for the reason that is it not necessary, as the last twoaaare pronounced separately55, and because it is not proper, as the angular accent is only used at the endings of the words.56In the derivatives formed withtaga, ortag, ormaquithe accent of the root is not changed. Asfrombódo,(salted fish),tagabódobaláy(house),tagbaláycalámay(dark sugar)maquicalámayThe comparatives formed with, the interfixro, have always the accent on the last syllable no matter where it was in the primitive. Asfromhalábà(long),harohalabâuguis(white),urouguís.The superlatives formed with the prefixguiand the affixialways have the accent on the penult, without regarding where it was in the primitive. As[46]fromhalárum(deep),guihahalarúmimatahúm(beautiful),guimamatahúmiThe collectives follow the way in which their primitives are accented, so, if their, primitives have the accent on the penult, they have it on the penult, and when the primitives have the accent on the last syllable they also have it on their last syllables. Asfrombátà(child),cabatáanbaláy(house),cabalayán.It must be observed also that there are nouns which, thru phonetical variations, have more than one forms. Of such words are the following:báchò, bíchò(groaning)bándoc, búndac(kick)guipic, guipác(broken)guisî, gusî, quisî, cusî(sagged)Panalaron, Palanaron, Planaron(one of the suburbs of the town of Tacloban),57piló, lopí(fold)quíróg, coróg(trembling)quirógpos, corógpos(surtout)sitsit, sutsut(whistle)taclap, taplac(blanket), etc.There are also words composed of the same letters but sounding differently and having different meanings thereby, on account of the separation with which some of their syllables are pronounced. Asbágo(a tree),bag-o(new)lauay(saliva),lau-ay(repugnance)tagóc(resin),tág-oc(inarticulatevoice).[47]bágang(an insect),bág-ang(grinder)bútol(bulky),bút-ol(throat)bulánon(moony),bul’ánon(from Bohol), etc.

Transposition of accents.

The accent of a word frequently changes its place upon its transformation.In the diminutives formed by repetition of the root or by the affixay, the acute accent is always placed upon the penult. Asfrombaláy,balaybálayfrom,,saróual,sarouálayfrom,,balóto,balotóhay.The grave accent of the root is preserved; and its angular accent becomes grave, which is preserved in its repetition. Asfromdacò,dacòdácòfrom,,bohô(hole),bohòbóhò(little hole).When the primitive has the acute accent on its penult, said accent is transferred to the last syllable of the original primitive, the repeated primitive following the preceding rules. As.fromdáhon,dahóndáhonfrom,,cáhoy,cahoycáhoyfrom,,halípot,halipótayfrom,,maópáy,maopay-ópayfrom,,hatáas,hataastáasIn the figuratives, the same rules are followed; and when the interfixrois employed, the primitive generally loses its acute accent which is placed upon the penult of the figurative. Asfromsacayán,sarosacáyan.[44]In the verbal nouns, it is a general rule that when the verb root has its acute accent on its penult, its verbals have said accent trasplaced to their last syllables, andviceversa, asfromsarát, (to write),frombása(to read)parasúratparabasátigsúrattigbasámagsusúratmagbarasásusurátanbarasahánsusurátonbarasahónmasúratmabasáisusúrat,ibarasá;except when the transformative particle ismameaning desirableness, in which case the acute accent is always on the last syllable; and also in case of the particlehi, where the accent is always put on the penult. Asmasuratsurát,himása.In case where the penult, of the verb root is necessarily long, as when its vowel isfollowedby more than one consonant, and when the last syllable of the root is pronounced independently from the consonant or consonants preceding it, then the original acute accent of the root is preserved on the penult of the verbal. Asfromcánhi(to come),dól-ong(to bear, to accompany)paracánhiparadól-ongtigcánhitigdól-ongcumaránhidomoról-ongcaranhíandorol-óngancaranhíondorol-óngonmacanhíonmadol-óngonicaránhiidoról-onghang̃aránhihinonól-ongIn the derivatives, when the accent is on the penult of the primitive, it is also placed on the penult of the[45]derivative; and when the accent is on the last syllable of the primitive, it is also put on the last syllable of the derivative, asfromáram,maárambayáu,mabaráyaupúsod,himósodbúua,buuáontubác,tubacón.It must be noted that we refer to theacuteaccent. It sometimes happens that the last syllable of the primitive has angular accent, in which case such accent is discomposed, the grave being kept and the acute being transposed to the penult of the derivative, asfromsalâ,saláan,where theaof the penult really bears two accents, angular and grave, the angular not being employed for the reason that is it not necessary, as the last twoaaare pronounced separately55, and because it is not proper, as the angular accent is only used at the endings of the words.56In the derivatives formed withtaga, ortag, ormaquithe accent of the root is not changed. Asfrombódo,(salted fish),tagabódobaláy(house),tagbaláycalámay(dark sugar)maquicalámayThe comparatives formed with, the interfixro, have always the accent on the last syllable no matter where it was in the primitive. Asfromhalábà(long),harohalabâuguis(white),urouguís.The superlatives formed with the prefixguiand the affixialways have the accent on the penult, without regarding where it was in the primitive. As[46]fromhalárum(deep),guihahalarúmimatahúm(beautiful),guimamatahúmiThe collectives follow the way in which their primitives are accented, so, if their, primitives have the accent on the penult, they have it on the penult, and when the primitives have the accent on the last syllable they also have it on their last syllables. Asfrombátà(child),cabatáanbaláy(house),cabalayán.It must be observed also that there are nouns which, thru phonetical variations, have more than one forms. Of such words are the following:báchò, bíchò(groaning)bándoc, búndac(kick)guipic, guipác(broken)guisî, gusî, quisî, cusî(sagged)Panalaron, Palanaron, Planaron(one of the suburbs of the town of Tacloban),57piló, lopí(fold)quíróg, coróg(trembling)quirógpos, corógpos(surtout)sitsit, sutsut(whistle)taclap, taplac(blanket), etc.There are also words composed of the same letters but sounding differently and having different meanings thereby, on account of the separation with which some of their syllables are pronounced. Asbágo(a tree),bag-o(new)lauay(saliva),lau-ay(repugnance)tagóc(resin),tág-oc(inarticulatevoice).[47]bágang(an insect),bág-ang(grinder)bútol(bulky),bút-ol(throat)bulánon(moony),bul’ánon(from Bohol), etc.

The accent of a word frequently changes its place upon its transformation.

In the diminutives formed by repetition of the root or by the affixay, the acute accent is always placed upon the penult. As

frombaláy,balaybálayfrom,,saróual,sarouálayfrom,,balóto,balotóhay.

The grave accent of the root is preserved; and its angular accent becomes grave, which is preserved in its repetition. As

fromdacò,dacòdácòfrom,,bohô(hole),bohòbóhò(little hole).

When the primitive has the acute accent on its penult, said accent is transferred to the last syllable of the original primitive, the repeated primitive following the preceding rules. As.

fromdáhon,dahóndáhonfrom,,cáhoy,cahoycáhoyfrom,,halípot,halipótayfrom,,maópáy,maopay-ópayfrom,,hatáas,hataastáas

In the figuratives, the same rules are followed; and when the interfixrois employed, the primitive generally loses its acute accent which is placed upon the penult of the figurative. As

fromsacayán,sarosacáyan.

[44]

In the verbal nouns, it is a general rule that when the verb root has its acute accent on its penult, its verbals have said accent trasplaced to their last syllables, andviceversa, as

fromsarát, (to write),frombása(to read)parasúratparabasátigsúrattigbasámagsusúratmagbarasásusurátanbarasahánsusurátonbarasahónmasúratmabasáisusúrat,ibarasá;

except when the transformative particle ismameaning desirableness, in which case the acute accent is always on the last syllable; and also in case of the particlehi, where the accent is always put on the penult. As

In case where the penult, of the verb root is necessarily long, as when its vowel isfollowedby more than one consonant, and when the last syllable of the root is pronounced independently from the consonant or consonants preceding it, then the original acute accent of the root is preserved on the penult of the verbal. As

fromcánhi(to come),dól-ong(to bear, to accompany)paracánhiparadól-ongtigcánhitigdól-ongcumaránhidomoról-ongcaranhíandorol-óngancaranhíondorol-óngonmacanhíonmadol-óngonicaránhiidoról-onghang̃aránhihinonól-ong

In the derivatives, when the accent is on the penult of the primitive, it is also placed on the penult of the[45]derivative; and when the accent is on the last syllable of the primitive, it is also put on the last syllable of the derivative, as

fromáram,maárambayáu,mabaráyaupúsod,himósodbúua,buuáontubác,tubacón.

It must be noted that we refer to theacuteaccent. It sometimes happens that the last syllable of the primitive has angular accent, in which case such accent is discomposed, the grave being kept and the acute being transposed to the penult of the derivative, as

fromsalâ,saláan,

where theaof the penult really bears two accents, angular and grave, the angular not being employed for the reason that is it not necessary, as the last twoaaare pronounced separately55, and because it is not proper, as the angular accent is only used at the endings of the words.56

In the derivatives formed withtaga, ortag, ormaquithe accent of the root is not changed. As

frombódo,(salted fish),tagabódobaláy(house),tagbaláycalámay(dark sugar)maquicalámay

The comparatives formed with, the interfixro, have always the accent on the last syllable no matter where it was in the primitive. As

fromhalábà(long),harohalabâuguis(white),urouguís.

The superlatives formed with the prefixguiand the affixialways have the accent on the penult, without regarding where it was in the primitive. As[46]

fromhalárum(deep),guihahalarúmimatahúm(beautiful),guimamatahúmi

The collectives follow the way in which their primitives are accented, so, if their, primitives have the accent on the penult, they have it on the penult, and when the primitives have the accent on the last syllable they also have it on their last syllables. As

frombátà(child),cabatáanbaláy(house),cabalayán.

It must be observed also that there are nouns which, thru phonetical variations, have more than one forms. Of such words are the following:

báchò, bíchò(groaning)bándoc, búndac(kick)guipic, guipác(broken)guisî, gusî, quisî, cusî(sagged)Panalaron, Palanaron, Planaron(one of the suburbs of the town of Tacloban),57piló, lopí(fold)quíróg, coróg(trembling)quirógpos, corógpos(surtout)sitsit, sutsut(whistle)taclap, taplac(blanket), etc.

There are also words composed of the same letters but sounding differently and having different meanings thereby, on account of the separation with which some of their syllables are pronounced. As

bágo(a tree),bag-o(new)lauay(saliva),lau-ay(repugnance)tagóc(resin),tág-oc(inarticulatevoice).[47]bágang(an insect),bág-ang(grinder)bútol(bulky),bút-ol(throat)bulánon(moony),bul’ánon(from Bohol), etc.

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