Dialect

Bissara

WORLD FULL OF WORDS

The Molbog dialect, named after the tribe itself, is a pivotal element of the community's culture, passed down through generations.

Southern Palawan is home to approximately 26,000 speakers of Molbog. However, linguists believe it belongs to the Austronesian language family, which includes many Southeast Asian and Pacific Island languages, particularly those found in the northern Philippines and Borneo.

Interestingly, Molbog has some vocabulary similarities with nearby languages such as Sama, Tausug, and Palawano (Joshua Project, 2024).

Molbog is more than just their communication means. It is the very foundation of their culture, preserving and protecting their knowledge and diminishing identity.

GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTION:

Hi/Hello - There is no specific translation for this, instead they say for greetings "Assalamu alaikum," an arabic word meaning peace be unto you and a response "Wa'laykum s-salam" meaning upon you be peace.
Good morning - mepiya durek
Good afternoon - mepiya meapun
Good evening - mepiyang gabi
Goodbye - kati ne akay
Nice to meet you - mepiya negleteg kitey
My name is... - ngadan ko si...
Have a good day - mepiyang ngedew / mepiyang na edew
It was nice talking to you - mepiya nekepeg bissara kite

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL PHRASES:

I don't understand - kiyah ko egkeretihan
How much does this cost? - pida harga ye iti
Can I help you? - eno metabang ko kay dika

ESSENTIAL POLITE EXPRESSIONS:

Please - There is no specific translation, instead they say "kedjadi" meaning pwede.
Thank you - megsukor
You're welcome - There is no specific translation, instead they say "Ehe" meaning oo or okay.
I'm sorry - mangat ampon
Excuse me - There is no specific translation, instead they say "mata-mata" meaning step aside when passing between 2 people talking, sitting or standing.

BASIC QUESTIONS:

Yes- ehe
No - kiya
Maybe - pandi
How are you? - megeno kene?
I'm well/good -mepiya key menge peresaen
Where is...? - embe
What is this? - eno iti

MONTHS:

Muharram (The Sacred Month) - The Islamic New Year.

Sappar / Safar (The Month of Traveling) - Traditionally associated with journeys and trade.

Rabea al-Awwal (The First Spring) - Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Rabea al-Thani (The Second Spring) - Named after the end of the spring season.

Jumada al-Oula (The First Dry Month) - Refers to a hot summer month.

Jumada al-Akhira (The Second Dry Month) - Also refers to a hot summer month.

Rajab (The Month of Respect) - A time of peace and religious journey in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Shaaban (The Dividing Month) - Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan (The Month of Great Heat) - Muslims fast from dawn to dusk this month.

Shawwal (The Month of Hunting) - Celebrates the end of Ramadan with the Eid al-Fitr festival.

Dhul-Qeada (The Month of Rest) - A time for relaxation and reduced activity.

Dhu-Hijjah (The Month of Pilgrimage) - The trip from Hajj to Mecca takes place.

NUMBERS:

One - isa
Two - duwa
Three - telo
Four - apat
Five - lima
Six - enem
Seven - turu
Eight - walo
Nine - siyam
Ten - sempulo

DAYS OF THE WEEK:

Monday - Isnin
Tuesday - Selasa
Wednesday - Arbaa
Thursday - Hammis
Friday - Jumaat
Saturday - Sabto
Sunday - Ahad

ADDITIONAL TERMS:

Age - Umor
Girl - Budjang
Boy - Subor
School - Madraza
Bad Spirits - Seitan

TITLES:

Sister - Tipused libun
Older Sister - Kakah rayang
Older Brother - Kakah tuwan
Brother - Tipused lelaki
Mother - Indo / Inah
Father - Ama
Daughter - Anak libun
Son - Anak lelaki
Aunt - Babuh / Baboh rayang

TITLES:

Uncle - Bapah / Bapah tuwan
Cousin - Egsa
Grandfather - Upo lelaki
Grandmother - Upoh libon
Granddaughter - Upoh
Grandson - Upoh
Nephew - Kemenaken lelaki
Niece - Kemenaken libon
In-laws - pengibanan

ALPHABET

CALENDAR

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