A iscusison about the Bikolano dialect

1. {
SUPRASEGMENTAL
(BIKOLANO)
By: Jose Lorenzo G. Villapando

2. Bikol is a syllable-timed language. This means in an
utterance takes approximately the same amount of time to
pronounce. The Bikol Syllable can be either composed of:
1. Vowel (V)
Ex: a-póg = lime
2. Combination of a vowel and consonant (VC)
Ex: an = the
3. Combination of a consonant, vowel and a
consonant (CVC)
Ex: dalan = weigh
4. Combination of a consonant and a vowel
(CV)
Ex: ta-rám = speak

3. Bikol words can grow to considerable length.
Pi-nag-pa-pa-ra-a-ra-da-lan
Root word: adal = to learn.

4. Stress in Bikol is phonemic and contrastive.
Example:
dápit = to escort the dead
dapít = regarding
When a word is suffixed, the stress will move one
syllable to the right
Example:
hapót = a question
hapotón = to ask someone a question