SYNTAX
SUBJECTIVE RELATION
The subject of a verb may be either a noun or its equivalent, namely a pronoun, a verb in the infinitive mood, or an entire phrase. As
| An Dyos macagagáhum | (God is omnipotent) |
| Acó nagsusurát | (I write) |
| An paguaon maopay | (The meal is good; literally: the eating is good) |
| An guinquiquinauanglan ta ámo an pag-orosa | (what we need is union). |
PREDICATIVE RELATION
The verb agree with its subject in person and number. As
| panurát quitá | (let us write) |
| magsurát hiyá | (let him or her write) |
ATTRIBUTIVE RELATION
The nouns and their equivalents may be modified by substantives, adjectives, demonstrative pronouns, possessive pronouns, and participles. Except in cases of possessive pronouns, relative ng̃a is placed between the noun or its equivalents, and the modifying word. As
| batá ng̃a sorogóon | (the young servant; literally: the boy servant) |
| an sangcay ng̃a macpay | (the good friend) |
| iní ng̃a baláy | (this house) |
| an acon amáy | (my father) |
| hinigugma nga iróy | (loved mother) |
[101]
NOTE.—When the pronoun “adton” and its inflections are equivalent to “deceased”, “late”, the particle ng̃a is not employed. As
| adton Pedro | (the late Peter) |
The article also modifies the noun and its equivalents, in that it limits them. The articles always precede the word or words to which they refer. As is seen before (page 9) the personal article is always employed before the proper nouns, except in the vocative case. As
| an lang̃it | (the heaven, or the sky) |
| hi Eudong | (Peter) |
The definite article is sometimes used before proper nouns, and frequently before the demonstrative and possessive pronouns. The indefinite article is sometimes employed before the possessive pronouns. The personal article is sometimes used before the personal pronouns, except the third person. As
| an Dyos | (God) |
| an iní ng̃a batà | (this boy) |
| an amon búngto | (our town) |
| macanhi in acon sangcay | (a friend of mine will come) |
| hi camó ng̃an hi acó | (you and I) |
COMPLEMENTARY RELATION
The object of the verb is always in the objective case determined by the corresponding article, or by a preposition. As
| hi Pedro nagbabasa han surat | (Peter reads the letter) |
| hirá nang̃atúrog ha sacayán | (they sleep on the boat) |
| hi Tomás naruruyag hin pagcanhi | (Thomas wishes to come; literally: Thomas wishes a coming) |
| mácadto acó ha Abúyog | (I shall go to Abuyog). |
The object of the verb to be is in the nominative case. As
| an imo bahín, amo iní | (your part is this) |
| an táuo mamarátyon | (the man is mortal) |
[102]
ADVERBIAL RELATION
The adverbs and the adverbial phrases modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. As
| “dánay” acó cumádto | (I go there sometimes) |
| nabasa ng̃ani acó, nábasa “man” hiyá | (If I read, he reads also). |
The adverbs are generally placed next to the word that they modify, some before the said word as “agsob” (frequently), “dánay” (sometimes), “masócot” (often), “macatalagsa” (seldom), etc., and other after the said word as “pa” (yet), “na” (already), “man” (also), “gud” (precisely), etc., and some before or after the said word as “lugúd” (on the contrary), etc.
REPRESENTATIVE RELATION
The important Bisayan word that expresses representative relations is the relative pronoun nga, which is invariable.
| an batá nga tinmauag ha acon | (the boy who called me) |
| an cabatáan ng̃a tinmawag ha acon | (the boys who called me) |
As to cases, we have seen (page 52) that this relative nga never refers to the object of the verb. The sentences in the English and other languages, where the corresponding relative pronoun relates to the object of the verb and where consequently the said relative is in the objective case, are expressed in Bisayan in passive voice which is the most used in this tongue.1 Thus, if we wish to say
the boy whom I called
we should say
an bata ng̃a tinauag co
which literally is: the boy who was called by me.
The personal, demonstrative and possessive pronouns agree in person and number with their antecedents or the word [103]or words that they represent. There is no agreement in gender because the pronouns have no gender.
CONNECTIVE RELATIONS
The prepositions join the nouns, their equivalents, or the pronouns to some other word. They place in the objective case the word that depends on them.
The most important preposition in, Bisayan is ha, which is equivalent to nearly all of the prepositions of other languages. Examples:
| He saw me— | hiyá quinmitá ha acon |
| He wrote to me— | hiyá nagsurát ha acon |
| I come to Tacloban— | nacanhi acó ha Tacloban |
| I come from Palo— | ticang acó ha Palô |
| I pass by your house— | linmabáy acó ha iyo baláy |
| He is in the room— | aadto niyá ha solód |
| etc. | |
ABSOLUTE AND INDEPENDENT CONSTRUCTIONS
Absolute and independent constructions take place in Bisayan with vocatives, and interjections.
Vocatives, as
| Pedro, ng̃a niya, cadí dao | (Peter, he said, come, please) |
Interjection, as
| Pastilan, caloóyi gad acó | (oh!, have pity of me) |
Some independent phrases are connected with the rest of the thought by the adverb man, as
| naabot camí, natutunod man an adlao | (when we arrived, the sun set; literally: we arrived, the sun also set). |
SYNTAX OF VERBS
THE INFINITIVE. The present has the construction of the noun, as
| an pag-arám hin maopay ámo an catungdánan han batà | (to learn well is the duty of a boy). |
The gerund expresses the idea of past when preceded by the particle han, contraction of the preposition ha and the article an, as [104]
| han pagsírang han adlao, nagmamatá na acó | (when the sun raised, I was already awake). |
The past participle has the construction of an adjective, as
| binilangò ng̃a táuo | (prisoner; literally: an imprisoned man) |
INDICATIVE. Besides its ordinary use, its present is frequently employed with the particle cuntà, to express the idea of an interrupted or intended action. As
| cun uaráy ca cánhi, nalacát cunta acó | (If you had not come, I would have gone) |
SUBJUNCTIVE. It being used in a subordinate propositions, it is always constructed with the conjunctions ng̃a (thato), cun, ng̃anì (if), cuntà (if possible).
Ng̃a and cun always precede the verb; ng̃anì and cunta when used for the subjunctive, is always placed after the verb. As
| caruyag co ng̃a cumanhi ca buas | (I wish you to come to-morrow; literally: I wish that you may come to-morrow).1 |
| cun lumabay hi Juan, tanága. | (If John passes by, call him) |
| lumabáy ng̃anì hi Juan taúaga. | |
| lumabáy cuntà hi Juan | (God grant that John passes). |
NOTE.—The subjunctive form is frequently constructed with the modal adverbs and adjectives and then such combinations have the construction of an adjective. As
| táuo ng̃a maopay sumurat | (a good writer: literally; a man who writes well) |
| macosóg sumáog ng̃a carabao | (a strong dragger carabao) |
| etc. | |
[105]
ARRANGEMENT OF WORDS
The adjectives and verbs are always preferably employed, whenever possible, at the beginning of a phrase, clause, or sentence.
Examples:
| maópay ng̃a táuo | (good man) |
| nagsusurát acó | (I write) |
| etc. | |
1 In Bisayan, there is no construction similiar to that of the English tongue, consisting in putting the subject in the objective case, and its verb in the infinitive: which is an exact Latin syntax, as
| he wishes | me | to come |
| Ille vult | me | venire |
Such sentence is expressed in Bisayan with the aid of the conjunction ng̃a, the subject in nominative case, and the verb in subjunctive mood, thus
caruyag niya ng̃a acó camánhi. ↑
VIOLATIONS OF GOOD USE
BARBARISMS
The most frequent violation of good use of the Bisayan tongue is the Barbarism.
It is committed by using foreign words, and foreign constructions.
FOREIGN WORDS
Many foreign words have been and are being introduced in the Bisayan conversations and writings. Must of such words are being adopted, not because they are necessary, but simply thru affectation and love of innovation, thus attempting against the purity of Bisayan. Some of the words introduced however are necessary as they have no corresponding word in Bisayan. [106]
FOREIGN WORDS UNNECESSARILY USED IN BISAYAN
Spanish words
| Abierto, abre (open) | for | Binucsan, inucáb, bucás ucáb. |
| Adorno (adornment) | for,, | Dayan, rayandayan |
| Agua (used to mean perfume) | for,, | Talamhot |
| Aguanta (wait suffer) | for,, | Ílob, hulát |
| Alisto (from listo) | for,, | Andam |
| Amigo (friend) | for,, | Sángcay |
| Apique (close) | for,, | Sóoc |
| Apura, apurado (hurry) | for,, | Dagmit, cadagmitan |
| Atrever, atrevido (bold) | for,, | Paggahúm, gamhánan |
| Aver (for “give me”) | for,, | Icadí |
| Aver pa (God grant) | for,, | Mangad pa |
| Bajado, Bajar (low) | for,, | Habobó, obós |
| Bancó (bench) | for,, | Pongcóan, lincoran, pápag |
| Bando (edict) | for,, | Pahamatngon |
| Batido (for “experienced”) | for,, | Lasgud, hiara |
| Bote (for boat) | for,, | Sacayan |
| Cada usá (each one) | for,, | Tágsa |
| Calabozo (jail) | for,, | Bilangóan |
| Calculo (calculus) | for,, | Igoigo |
| Calle (street) | for,, | Dalan |
| Campana (bell) | for,, | Linganay |
| Canta (sing) | for,, | Laygay, laylay |
| Cantodes (from “cantores”) | for,, | Paralaygay |
| Carcel (jail) | for,, | Bi1angóan |
| Cargo (for “debt”) | for,, | Útang |
| Carne (flesh meat) | for,, | Unód |
| Capaz (able) | for,, | Sadang, angay, tacús |
| Castigo (punishment) | for,, | Siroc |
| Cocina (kitchen) | for,, | Lotoán |
| Coger | for,, | Pagdacóp pacasacób |
| Colá (from “colar”) | for,, | Bacá |
| Color (color) | for,, | Tina, samay, culay[107] |
| Comósta (from “como está” how are you) | for,, | Matiónan-o ca |
| Común (common) | for,, | Casahirác |
| Convida (invite) | for,, | Áabiabi, sabi |
| Contra (against) | for,, | Tipa, patoe, caauay |
| Cortina (curtain) | for,, | Biráy |
| Cuarta (money) | for,, | Salapí |
| Cuarto (room) | for,, | Solód |
| Cuerdas (strings) | for,, | Dolós |
| Cuello (collar) | for,, | Balióg |
| Cuenta (account) | for,, | Iháp, ísip |
| De balde (unusefully) | for,, | Cáuaug |
| De buenas (fortunate) | for,, | Paláran |
| Decir (for “ask”) | for,, | Siring hingyap |
| Defecto (defect) | for,, | Casaquihán, carát’an |
| De malas (unfortunate) | for,, | Uaráy palad |
| Derecho (right) | for,, | Tádong, dáyon, catadung̃an |
| Descanso (rest) | for,, | Pahúuay |
| Despedida (farewell) | for,, | Panamilit |
| Dibujo (drawing) | for,, | Badlis, Baguis |
| Diferencia (difference) | for,, | Guincalainan, guicaíbban |
| Dilatar (for delay) | for,, | Pag-uláng, pagpahalawig |
| Disgusto (unlikeness) | for,, | Cangalas |
| Dispensa (excuse) | for,, | Pasaylo, paguará |
| Diversion (amusement) | for,, | Caliáuan, liáoliáo |
| Dulce (sweet candy) | for,, | Matam’is |
| Empezar (to commence) | for,, | Pagticáng |
| Entra (for “to make love”) | for,, | Pangasáua |
| Entremés (joke) | for,, | Tíao |
| Escuela (school) | for,, | Liborán |
| Espejo (glass) | for,, | Salamíng |
| Esquina (corner) | for,, | Casóngnan |
| Estampa (image) | for,, | Ladáuan |
| Fino (fine) | for,, | Gamay, pilí |
| Firme (for always) | for,, | Agsub, ónob |
| Fuerza (strength) | for,, | Cusóg |
| Fuerte (strong) | for,, | Macusóg, mabácod |
| Fusil (gun) | for,, | Lutbang[108] |
| Ganancia (gain) | for,, | Polós, tubo |
| Gracia (grace, favor) | for,, | Parábul |
| Gratis (used for “payment”) | for,, | Himúdlay |
| Gusto (wish) | for,, | Caruyag |
| Hasta (until) | for,, | Tubtub, ngadá |
| Hechura (shape) | for,, | Daguay |
| Interes (interest) | for,, | Guinsisiring, guinlalánat |
| Jardin (garden) | for,, | Tanáman |
| La mesa (table) | for,, | Dulang |
| Latigo (whip) | for,, | Latós |
| Lavá (from “lavar”, to wash) | for,, | Búnac |
| Lavandero, a (launderer, laundress) | for,, | Magburunác |
| Licencia, pag (to take leave) | for,, | Sárit, panamilit |
| Limós (from “limosna”, alms) | for,, | Calóoy, hatag |
| Limpio (clean) | for,, | Mahínis |
| Lóa (praise) | for,, | Dáyao |
| Lugar (for “near” or “almost”) | for,, | Dapit, ma |
| Macetas (flower-pot) | for,, | Tinanóm, taranman |
| Maestro (teacher) | for,, | Magtorótdo |
| Manteca (butter) | for,, | Pinahagas |
| Mantel (tablecloth) | for,, | Basnig ha dulang |
| Mantilla (mantilla) | for,, | Taóng |
| Masiado (from “demasiado”, too) | for,, | Uraura |
| Masque (from “por más que”, although) | for,, | Bisan |
| Medio (half) | for,, | Catunga, bagá |
| Mismo (self-same) | for,, | Ngábao, gud |
| Muchacho (for servant) | for,, | Surogóon |
| Número (number) | for,, | Iháp |
| O bien (or) | for,, | O cun, ó, lugúd |
| Oración (prayer) | for,, | Pangadye, paugamuyo |
| Orden (order) | for,, | Sugo |
| Pabyon (from “pabellón”) | for,, | Biráy |
| Paciencia (patience) | for,, | Pag-ilub |
| Pago (for “debt”) | for,, | Utang[109] |
| Palati (from “palatico”, from “práctico”) | for,, | Mag-oróna |
| Paño (cloth) | for,, | Panapton, pudóng |
| Pañolito (handkerchief) | for,, | Modongpódong |
| Para (for, halt) | for,, | Basi, ngada, hulat, ocóy, toróoc |
| Parecer (opinion) | for,, | Sagbang |
| Parejo (equal) | for,, | Sáma, sandag |
| Paseada (from “paseo”) | for,, | Lacatlácat |
| Peligro (danger) | for,, | Cataragman |
| Pensar (for talent) | for,, | Talíno |
| Perdona (from “perdonar”) | for,, | Pasaylo |
| Pero (but) | for,, | Cundi |
| Pertina (for “pretina”, waistband) | for,, | Háuac |
| Pierde (from “perder” to lose) | for,, | Lupig, nara |
| Pintar (to paint) | for,, | Dum-it, díhog |
| Pintura (paint) | for,, | Idirihóg |
| Plato (plate) | for,, | Pingan |
| Platito (a little dish) | for,, | Lampay |
| Pliegues (plaits) | for,, | Lopi |
| Pobre (poor) | for,, | Cablas |
| Polvo (powder) | for,, | Bócboc |
| Posta (from “apuesta” bet) | for,, | Butáng |
| Precio (price) | for,, | Pulít |
| Preparar (to prepare) | for,, | Pag-andam, pagtíma |
| Preso (prisoner) | for,, | Binilangá. |
| Probar (to taste) | for,, | Tilao, sari |
| Propecto (from “perfecto,” perfect) | for,, | Guinóod |
| Prueba (proof, evidence) | for,, | Paacamatóod |
| Principal (chief, capital) | for,, | Labáo, pohonan |
| Provecho (profit) | for,, | Polós |
| Puerta (door) | for,, | Ganghaán |
| Pulido (neat) | for,, | Hag-id, mahamis |
| Puro (pure) | for,, | Putli, lonlon, sandag, sáhid |
| Queja (complaint) | for,, | Sumbong |
| Querido (dear) | for,, | Hinigugma, pinalanga |
| Que ver (for “to do”) | for,, | Láhot[110] |
| Quinolá (from colar) | for,, | Bináchan |
| Rabenque (from “rebenque”, whipe) | for,, | Latob, latos |
| Recibi (from “recibir”) | for,, | Carauat |
| Reclamo (claim) | for,, | Paglánat |
| Redondo (round) | for,, | Lipóron, malídong |
| Regalo (present) | for,, | Higugma, hatag, bucad |
| Regular (regular) | for,, | Igó, socol |
| Relo, relos (from “reloj” watch, clock) | for,, | Orasán1 |
| Remo (oar) | for,, | Gaód |
| Renuncio (from “renunciar”, to renounce) | for,, | Pagdiri, pagdiuara |
| Reventa (from “reventar” to explode) | for,, | Pagbotó |
| Rico (rich) | for,, | Mangáran |
| Rugal (from “lugar”, spot) | for,, | Caraanan, tuna, umá |
| Saco (sack) | for,, | Sopót |
| Sadá (from “cierra”, close) | for,, | Locób |
| Sala (hall) | for,, | Ruáng |
| Saya (skirt) | for,, | Tampí, Talapí |
| Seguro (for “probably”) | for,, | Mahámoe, angay la |
| Señor (Sir, Mister) | for,, | Guinoo |
| Sirve (from “servir” to serve) | for,, | Pagmangno pag-ágad |
| Suerte (for “talk”) | for,, | Himangrao |
| Sustento (maintenance) | for,, | Pagbubi, iburuhi, cabuhian |
| Tabla (board) | for,, | Bugha |
| Tachar (for “contempt”) | for,, | Yúbit, támay |
| Taza (cup) | for,, | Yahóng |
| Tiempo (time) | for,, | Adlao, túig |
| Tienda (merchandise, store) | for,, | Baligya, baligyáan |
| Tieso (stiff) | for,, | Dángag, tadóng |
| Tocar (to play) | for,, | Pagtonóg |
| Tocador (for glass) | for,, | Salamíng |
| Tonto (fool) | for,, | Lórong, palinqui, pádlas |
| Trabajo (work) | for,, | Buhat[111] |
| Tranea (cross-bar) | for,, | Síol, Balabág |
| Tumba (to tumble) | for,, | Púcan |
| Vacio (empty) | for,, | Lungág |
| Ventana (window) | for,, | Tambóan |
| Verde (green) | for,, | Saguindáhon |
| Vicio (vice) | for,, | Casaquihán |
| Virtud (for “power”) | for,, | Gahúm |
| Zurce (for “zurcir” to darn) | for,, | Pagtábing, |
And many others.
CHINESE2 WORDS
| Bochang (for sow) | for | Cablas |
| Buísit (unfortunate) | for,, | Uaray pálad |
| Camsya (for “thank”) | for,, | Salámat |
| Gonggong (foolish) | for,, | Uaray salabótan |
| Lamloc (dear, fat) | for,, | Matamboc |
| Laotuy (old) | for,, | Lagás, gurang |
| Syâ (for eat) | for,, | Cáon |
| Sinqui (new) | for,, | Bag-o |
| Tampuâ (excess, present) | for,, | Táuad, labis |
| Uchang (rich) | for,, | Mangáran |
| Uísit (fortunate) | for,, | Paláran. |
and some others.
ENGLISH WORDS
| Haló (halloo) | for | Ohó |
| Miting (“meeting”) | for,, | Catirócan |
| Háyc (“hike”) | for,, | Paglacát, sódoy |
| Moning (for “money”) | for,, | Salapí |
| Sausau (chow-chow) | for,, | Pagcáon, caraonón |
And others.
NOTE.—At present, among the students it is frequent to hear “¿háin an ac dyografi (geography), an ac arismitic (arithmetic)?” “¿aada ca ha fif (fifth) greyd (grade)?” “maaram na acó mag espeling (spelling)”—Why do they not talk in English? [112]
OBSERVATION. There are some Tagalog words and constructions used in Bisayan; but we do not consider their use as a barbarism, because Tagalog and Bisayan are both dialects of a common tongue, and because such use may help the formation of a possible Filipino language.
FOREIGN CONSTRUCTIONS
Among others, the following is a barbarism in the construction: “maoroopay iní QUE hitón”, (this is better than that). The use of the QUE (which is Spanish meaning “than”) is entirely Spanish and is not necessary in Bisayan, as the mentioned sentence is expressed simply and with the same strength and more purity and correctness: “maooropáy iní hitón”.
FOREIGN WORDS NECESSARILY ADOPTED IN BISAYAN
But there are many words now in use in Bisayan the adoption of which enriches rather then destroys the language. We refer to those words that have been necessarily imported from other languages to express ideas not represented by any word, or whose corresponding words are lost in Bisayan.
We do not consider their use as a barbarism, as it is not considered us such in English, Spanish, French and other European languages the adoption of Greek and Latin words. We not only do not criticize such adoption in the Filipino dialects but rather desire and encourage it, because it will undoubtedly enable our dialects to be used in all kinds of scientific and artistic expressions.
Among the foreign words already adopted, the following may be counted:
Dyos (from the Spanish Dios). It is true that we have the Tagálog Bathala which refers to the omnipotency, and the Bisayan Laón which refers to the eternity. But in view of the fact that the word Dyos derived from the Latin Deus, from the Greek Zeus which means Divinite, Supreme Being, has been so much used in Bisayan, and it represent another phase of the attributes of God, we think that the said [113]word DYOS ought to be adopted in Bisayan, adapting its form to the inflections of our dialect.
Oras (from the Spanish hora “hour”).—We have to adopt this word, as there is no corresponding expression known in Bisayan. By its adoption we have a way to avoid the use of reloj, with the derivative orasan already used.
Bapor (from the Spanish “vapor” steamboat). It has no corresponding in Bisayan. We have sacayán (boat), but it does not include the idea of the “steam.”
Papel (from the Spanish “papel”).—It has no corresponding in Bisayan.
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. [115]