Diaspora Documentation of West Albay Bikol

Author

Nhia Borja, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

6-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Linguistics

Advisor

Daniel Kaufman

Subject Categories

Comparative and Historical Linguistics | Language Description and Documentation | Morphology | Phonetics and Phonology | Syntax

Keywords

Philippine linguistics, Philippine languages, Bikol dialects, Philippine dialects, West Albay Bikol

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive linguistic analysis and cultural documentation of West Albay Bikol, a dialect spoken in Bikol, Philippines. Drawing upon narratives spoken by a native speaker, this study aims to expand the literature on Bikolano language and add the dialects of Balugo and Polangui to the conversation. The motivation for the project stems from a personal aspiration to learn West Albay Bikolano and provide authentic language examples.

The paper comprises six chapters. The first chapter briefly overviews Bikol dialects and Central Philippine languages and reviews existing literature on the overall Bikol language. The second chapter is an examination of historical linguistics tracing sound changes. In the second chapter is also a corpus comparing the evolution of Bikol words from Proto-forms to standard Naga Bikol and non-standard Balugo Bikol which overlaps with Polangui Bikol. A grammatical sketch of West Albay Bikol highlighting its distinct features can be found in the third chapter. The fourth chapter is a discussion on language contact and the influence of colonization and migration on language use. A summary of the paper can be found in the fifth chapter. Lastly, the sixth chapter is a full transcription and interlinear gloss of the recorded narratives by my mother, a native speaker of Balugo Bikol.

Recommended Citation

Borja, Nhia, "Diaspora Documentation of West Albay Bikol" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5781