PREFACE.
To facilitate the use of the list, the compiler begs leave to call the attention of his fellow-teachers to the following common sources of error:
- (1) Confusing g, j, and h. H having in the native languages the same value as g before e and i and as j before all vowels, is frequently confused with them. (Examples: Heminiano and Jiminiano for Geminiano; Aleho for Alejo.)
- (2) Confusing b and p with v and f. (Bibencia for Vivencia; Pilemón for Filemón.)
- (3) Confusing c, s, and z, and sometimes x. (Cenón for Zenón; Cenén for Senén; Zofronio for Sofronio; Felis and Feliz for Felix; Mácsima for Máxima.)
- (4) Confusing e with i, and o with u. (Eusídio for Eusebio; Froctoso for Fructuoso.)
- (5) Omitting or inserting initial H. (Eladio for Heladio; Henrique for Enrique.)
- (6) Writing ll for li and ñ for ni. (Emillo for Emilio; Higiño for Higinio. Ll and ñ occur only once in the whole list, in Llorente and Iñigo.)
The above are only a few out of hundreds of examples actually found in school registers, tax and cedula lists, etc.
Referring to the written accent in such names as Damián (o) (a), it should be remembered that this disappears in the forms with vowel terminations, as in these the natural tonic accent falls on the penultimate syllable.
While the compiler hopes that the list may be of service to his colleagues in teaching their pupils what American children learn almost first of all—that is, to spell correctly their own names—he is at the same time well aware that this attempt is not complete nor absolutely correct, and he will acknowledge with sincere thanks any additions and corrections that teachers or others may be kind enough to send him.
E. E. Schneider.
San José, Camarines, P.I., October, 1903. [[8]]