The Bikol languages are a group of Central Philippine languages

Central Philippine languages

The Central Philippine languages are the most geographically widespread demonstrated group of languages in the Philippines, being spoken in southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Sulu. They are also the most populous, including Tagalog , Bikol, and the major Visayan languages Cebuano, Hiligaynon,...

 spoken particularly on the Bicol Peninsula

Bicol Peninsula

Bicol is a peninsula of the Philippines. It is located on Luzon Island and is part of Bicol Region. The active Mayon Volcano is here....

 on the island of Luzon

Luzon

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...

 and parts of Catanduanes

Catanduanes

Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda Channel. As of 2007, the population of the province is 232,757 people.-Etymology:"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first...

 and Burias Island

Burias Island

Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual....

, Masbate Province. There is also a continuum between Visayan languages

Visayan languages

The Visayan languages of the Philippines, along with Tagalog and Bikol, are part of the Central Philippine languages...

 and Bikol languages, called Bisakol

Bisakol

Bisakol refers to the transitional languages in the Central Philippine language family, between Visayan languages and Bikol languages...

 languages.

Ethnologue

The eight varieties of Bikol according to Ethnologue are:

• Coastal Bikol
  Coastal Bikol
  Coastal Bikol is one of the three groups of the Bikol languages. It is composed of Isarog Agta, Mt. Iraya Agta, Central Bicolano , and Southern Catanduanes Bicolano....
  
   (Northern)
  • Naga
    • Agta, Isarog –
    • Agta, Mt. Iraya –
    • Central Bikolano –
  • Virac (Southern Catanduanes) –
• Inland Bikol
  Inland Bikol
  Inland Bikol is one of the three groups of the Bikol languages. It is composed of Mt. Iriga Agta, Albay Bicolano, and Iriga Bicolano ....
  
   (Southern)
  • Agta, Mt. Iriga –
  • Albay Bicolano (Buhi-Daraga) –
  • Iriga Bicolano –
• Pandan (Northern Catanduanes) –

McFarland (1974)

Curtis McFarland gives the following classification for the Bikol languages.

Lobel (2000)

While McFarland (1974) splits Bikol into 11 dialects, Lobel (2000) splits Bikol into 12 different dialects (including Partido Bikol, which McFarland (1974) does not differentiate) and 4 main branches.

• Northern Coastal Bikol

1. Central Standard – Spoken primarily in Naga City
   Naga City
   The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
   
   . Also recognized (and sometimes understood) in Daet, Camarines Norte
   Daet, Camarines Norte
   Daet, also known as the "Gateway to Bicolandia". A 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camarines Norte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 94,184 or 18.33% of Camarines Norte's population. The current mayor of...
   
   ; many other areas in Camarines Sur; San Pascual, Masbate
   San Pascual, Masbate
   San Pascual is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Burias Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 37,868 people in 7,353 households.-Barangays:...
   
    on Burias Island
   Burias Island
   Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual....
   
   ; also heard in Legazpi City
   Legazpi City
   The City of Legazpi is a first class city and capital of the province of Albay, Philippines. With 179,481 inhabitants according to the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the Bicol Region in terms of population, though not in land area...
   
    and other cities along the eastern coast of Albay; and northeastern Sorsogon.
   1. Daet
      Daet, Camarines Norte
      Daet, also known as the "Gateway to Bicolandia". A 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camarines Norte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 94,184 or 18.33% of Camarines Norte's population. The current mayor of...
      
       area variant
   2. Naga City
      Naga City
      The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
      
       area variant
   3. Eastern Standard Bikol – Spoken in and around Legazpi City
      Legazpi City
      The City of Legazpi is a first class city and capital of the province of Albay, Philippines. With 179,481 inhabitants according to the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the Bicol Region in terms of population, though not in land area...
      
      , and also in North Sorsogon
2. Partido – Spoken in the Camarines Sur municipalities of Ocampo
   Ocampo, Camarines Sur
   Ocampo is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 39,759 people.-History:...
   
   , Goa
   Goa, Camarines Sur
   Goa is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 54,035 people. The current municipal mayor is Hon. Antero Silos Lim-History:...
   
   , Tigaon
   Tigaon, Camarines Sur
   Tigaon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 45,509 people. It is located between Mt. Isarog and the Lagonoy Gulf. The economy is based on agricultural products like rice, corn, sugar cane, abaca fiber,...
   
   , Lagonoy
   Lagonoy, Camarines Sur
   Lagonoy is a town in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 46,093 people.-Barangays:Lagonoy is politically subdivided into 38 barangays.* Agosais* Agpo-Camagong-Tabog* Amoguis* Bocogan...
   
   , Sagñay
   Sagñay, Camarines Sur
   Sagñay is a 4th class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 29,082 people.-History:Sagñay is an old town established in the late 17th century by the Spanish friars...
   
   , and San Jose
   San Jose, Camarines Sur
   San Jose is a 4th class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 35,768 people.-History:The town of San Jose , then known as Danlog, was a barrio of Lagonoy in the early 19th century...
   
   . This dialect has a mellow intonation and is heavily influenced by Riŋkonāda.
3. South Catanduanes – Spoken in the southern end of Catanduanes.
   1. Virac
      Virac
      Virac may refer to:* Virac, Catanduanes, a municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines* Virac, Tarn, a commune of the Tarn département, in France* Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre...
      
       area variant
   2. San Miguel variant (transitional to North Catanduanes)

• Southern Coastal and Inland Bikol

1. Riŋkonāda – Spoken primarily in Iriga City
   Iriga City
   The City of Iriga is a 4th class city in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is located about 400 kilometers south of Manila, 37 kilometers south of Naga, and about 61 kilometers north of Legazpi City...
   
   , Baao
   Baao, Camarines Sur
   Baao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 52,466 people.-Barangays :Baao is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.-Schools:...
   
   , Bula
   Bula, Camarines Sur
   Bula is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 , it has a population of 62,024 people....
   
   , Balatan
   Balatan, Camarines Sur
   Balatan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 26,679 people....
   
   , Baao
   Bato, Camarines Sur
   Bato is a rural municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,437 people.-History:...
   
   , and Nabua, Camarines Sur
   Nabua, Camarines Sur
   Nabua is a 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 75,422 people in 12,724 households....
   
   . Also heard in Ocampo, Buhi and Pili, Camarines Sur and Polangui, Albay.
   1. Lowland Riŋkonāda dialect (lacks /ə/ vowel)
   2. Highland Riŋkonāda dialect (with /ə/ vowel)
2. Buhinon – Spoken in Buhi, Camarines Sur
   Buhi, Camarines Sur
   Buhi, a town in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 70,756 people.According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Lake Buhi is home to the world's smallest edible fish locally known as "Sinarapan" .Notable Buhinons include Victor Wood...
   
   . Contains features from both Bikol of Polangui
   Polangui, Albay
   - Demography :Having a total land area of 14,530 hectares or 145.30 km2 and a population of 78,572. It has a projected population density of 540 per km2, a labor force of 37,247 and 40,576 voting population.- Climate :...
   
    and Bikol of Iriga.
3. Libon – Spoken in Libon, Albay
   Libon, Albay
   Libon is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 68,846 people in 12,572 households. Libon is known regionally as the "Rice Granary of Albay"....
   
   .
4. West Miraya – Spoken in Ligao City
   Ligao City
   Ligao City is a 4th class city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 101,179 people in 17,031 households. Ligao City is strategically located in the heart of the Third District of Albay...
   
   , Polangui
   Polangui, Albay
   - Demography :Having a total land area of 14,530 hectares or 145.30 km2 and a population of 78,572. It has a projected population density of 540 per km2, a labor force of 37,247 and 40,576 voting population.- Climate :...
   
   , Oas
   Oas, Albay
   Oas is now reclassified as First Class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines . According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 63,888 people in 11,715 households.-Economy:The town's economy is generally agricultural...
   
   , and Pio Duran, Albay
   Pio Duran, Albay
   Pio Duran is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,972 people in 7,966 households.-Barangays:Pio Duran is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.* Agol* Alabangpuro...
   
   .
5. East Miraya – Spoken in Guinobatan
   Guinobatan, Albay
   Guinobatan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. It is the birthplace of Gen. Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans after the Philippine-American War....
   
   , Camalig
   Camalig, Albay
   Camalig is a first class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. At the time of the 2007 census, it had a population of 60,319 people in 11,275 households....
   
   , Daraga
   Daraga, Albay
   Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines.According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 110,625 people in 20,082 households.-History:February 1, 1814 was Mayon's deadliest eruption....
   
   , Jovellar, Albay
   Jovellar, Albay
   Jovellar is a 4th class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 17,615 people in 3,234 households. It was named in honor of Spanish governor-general Don Joaquín Jovellar y Soler....
   
    and in Donsol
   Donsol, Sorsogon
   Donsol is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 43,996 inhabitants.-Whale Shark Viewing:...
   
    and Pilar, Sorsogon
   Pilar, Sorsogon
   Pilar is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 57,898 people in 10,883 households.-Barangays:Pilar is politically subdivided into 49 barangays...
   
   .
   1. Central (Guinobatan
      Guinobatan, Albay
      Guinobatan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. It is the birthplace of Gen. Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans after the Philippine-American War....
      
      )
   2. Far East (Camalig
      Camalig, Albay
      Camalig is a first class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. At the time of the 2007 census, it had a population of 60,319 people in 11,275 households....
      
      , Daraga
      Daraga, Albay
      Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines.According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 110,625 people in 20,082 households.-History:February 1, 1814 was Mayon's deadliest eruption....
      
      )
   3. Southeast (Jovellar, Albay
      Jovellar, Albay
      Jovellar is a 4th class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 17,615 people in 3,234 households. It was named in honor of Spanish governor-general Don Joaquín Jovellar y Soler....
      
      , Donsol
      Donsol, Sorsogon
      Donsol is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 43,996 inhabitants.-Whale Shark Viewing:...
      
      , Pilar
      Pilar, Sorsogon
      Pilar is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 57,898 people in 10,883 households.-Barangays:Pilar is politically subdivided into 49 barangays...
      
      )

• Northern Catanduanes (Pandan) – Spoken by about 80,000 people in the Northern Catanduanes towns of Caramoran
  Caramoran, Catanduanes
  Caramoran is a 4th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 25,618 people in 4,293 households.-Geography:...
  
  , Pandan
  Pandan, Catanduanes
  Pandan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 19,005 people in 3,181 households.-Barangays:Pandan is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.-History:...
  
  , Bagamanoc
  Bagamanoc, Catanduanes
  Bagamanoc is a 5th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 10,183 people in 1,879 households.-Geography:...
  
  , Panganiban
  Panganiban, Catanduanes
  The municipality of Panganiban is a 5th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, the Philippines. According to the 2007 Census, the municipal has 9,290 in population.-Geography:...
  
  , and Viga
  Viga, Catanduanes
  Viga is a 4th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 19,266 people in 3,431 households.-History:...
  
  .

• Bisakol

1. Central Sorsogon – Spoken in Sorsogon City
   Sorsogon City
   Sorsogon City is a 2nd class city in Sorsogon, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Sorsogon The city is located at southernmost tip province of Luzon. This city was formed by merging the Bacon and Sorsogon towns. The city serves a trans-shipment point from the Visayas and...
   
   , Castilla
   Castilla, Sorsogon
   Castilla is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2007 Philippine census, it has a population of 49,407 inhabitants.-Economy:...
   
   , Casiguran
   Casiguran, Sorsogon
   Casiguran is a 4th class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. This town is on the coast of Sorsogon Bay. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,057 people in 5,381 households.-Barangays:...
   
   , and Juban, Sorsogon
   Juban, Sorsogon
   Juban is a 4th class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 26,848 people in 4,957 households.-Barangays:Juban is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.* Anog* Aroroy* Bacolod...
   
   .
   1. Castilla
      Castilla, Sorsogon
      Castilla is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2007 Philippine census, it has a population of 49,407 inhabitants.-Economy:...
      
       Sorsogon (mixed with Legazpi Bikol)
   2. Casiguran
      Casiguran, Sorsogon
      Casiguran is a 4th class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. This town is on the coast of Sorsogon Bay. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,057 people in 5,381 households.-Barangays:...
      
      -Juban
      Juban, Sorsogon
      Juban is a 4th class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 26,848 people in 4,957 households.-Barangays:Juban is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.* Anog* Aroroy* Bacolod...
      
       variant
2. Southern Sorsogon – Spoken in Gubat
   Gubat, Sorsogon
   Gubat is a second class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. As of 1 August 2007 the town has the population of 55,501 based on...
   
   , Barcelona
   Barcelona, Sorsogon
   Barcelona de Sorsogon is a 5th class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. According to the 2000 Philippine census, it has a population of 19,041 people in 3,887 households. This is where Kenneth Encinares lives.-Barangays:...
   
   , Bulusan
   Bulusan, Sorsogon
   Bulusan is a 5th class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 20,469 people in 4,218 households....
   
   , Santa Magdalena
   Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon
   Santa Magdalena is a 5th class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 14,623 people in 2,894 households.-Barangays:Santa Magdalena is politically subdivided into 14 barangays....
   
   , Matnog
   Matnog, Sorsogon
   Matnog is a 4th class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It lies at the southernmost tip of the island of Luzon.Local elders say that the name Matnog comes from the word "matonog" - that describes to the loud sound of the waves...
   
   , Irosin
   Irosin, Sorsogon
   Irosin is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It is the only land-locked municipality of the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 45,507 people in 8,639 households.-History:...
   
   , and Bulan, Sorsogon
   Bulan, Sorsogon
   Bulan is a 1st class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population 91,730 inhabitants.-Geography:...
   
   .
3. Masbatenyo
   Masbatenyo language
   Masbateño is a Visayan language spoken by more than 600,000 people, primarily in the province of Masbate in the Philippines. It is close to Capiznon and Hiligaynon , both spoken on Panay...
   
   – Spoken in Masbate City
   Masbate City
   The City of Masbate is a 4th class city in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is the capital city of Masbate province...
   
   , Mobo
   Mobo, Masbate
   Mobo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,233 people in 5,199 households.-Barangays:Mobo is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.* Baang* Bagacay* Balatucan...
   
   , Uson
   Uson, Masbate
   -Location:Uson is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 43,825 people in 8,436 households....
   
   , Dimasalang
   Dimasalang, Masbate
   Dimasalang is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,550 people in 4,367 households....
   
   , Palanas
   Palanas, Masbate
   Palanas is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 24,666 people in 5,141 households....
   
   , Masbate
   Baleno, Masbate
   Baleno is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,897 people in 3,612 households.-Barangays:Baleno is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.-External links:***...
   
   , Aroroy
   Aroroy, Masbate
   Aroroy is a 1st class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 58,751 people in 10,736 households.- Barangays :Aroroy is politically subdivided into 41 barangays.- External links :* *...
   
    on the island of Masbate, all of Ticao Island
   Ticao Island
   Ticao Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Masbate Island and Burias Island ....
   
   , and Claveria
   Claveria, Masbate
   Claveria is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in the island of Burias Island, southeast of the nation's capital of Manila. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 38,398 people in 7,730 households...
   
    on the southern half of Burias Island.
   1. Standard Masbatenyo
   2. Ticao Island
      Ticao Island
      Ticao Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Masbate Island and Burias Island ....
      
      variant

General references

• Lobel, Jason William, Wilmer Joseph S Tria, and Jose Maria Z Carpio. 2000. An satuyang tataramon / A study of the Bikol language. Naga City, Philippines: Lobel & Tria Partnership, Co.: Holy Rosary Minor Seminary.

External links

• Translate Bikol, an online English-Bikol and Bisakol languages translator.