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,, | Orasán[1] |
| 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.
CHINESE[2] 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]]
[1] See “Foreign words necessarily adopted in Bisayan”, infra. [↑]
[2] We do not refer to those Chinese words imported to Philippines with Chinese objects. Such words are to be kept necessarily in Bisayan, because their equivalent vernacular expressions, either are lost, or never existed. [↑]