Bikol, Central

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A language of Philippines

ISO 639-3
bcl
Alternate Names
Bicol, Bicol-Naga, Bicolano, Bikol Naga, Bikolano, Bikolnon, Central Bicolano, Coastal Bikol
Autonym
Bikol
User Population

2,500,000 (1990 census), increasing. Speakers of all Bikol languages: 3,890,000 (2005 UNSD).

Location

Bicol region: west Albay province, Legapi area; Camarines Norte province, Philippine Sea from east coast marshes to Mandao, San Miguel bay; Camarines Sur province, San Miguel bay area, Ragay gulf, Caramoan peninsula to Lagonay gulf; southwest third of Catanduanes province; Masbate province, Burias and Ticao islands; north Sorsogon province, Sorsogon bay mouth, inland; CALABARZON region: east tip of Quezon province.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Statutory language of provincial identity in Camarines Norte, 4 other provinces (1991, ACFLC Section 3(f)).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Bikol, Coastal, Naga
Dialects

Naga, Legazpi (Legapi), Daet, Partido, Canaman. A member of macrolanguage Bikol [bik].

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Tagalog [tgl]. Second languages acquired through schooling, media, and travel. Used as L2 by Inabaknon [abx], Katubung Agta [agk], Northern Sorsoganon [bks], Rinconada Bikol [bto], Southern Sorsoganon [srv].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Dictionary. Bible: 1915.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bikol, Central
Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian.