Page Type: languageBikol, Central | Ethnologue

BCL ISO 639-3

Bikol, Central

Bikol Autonym

A language of Philippines

ISO 639
bcl
Alternate Names
Bicol, Bicol-Naga, Bicolano, Bikol Naga, Bikolano, Bikolnon, Central Bicolano, Coastal Bikol
Autonym
Bikol
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 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. Dictionary. Bible: 1915.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bikol, Central
Writing
Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

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.