Natl Book Awards adds category for dictionaries, language-related works

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) have added a new category to the National Book Awards this year.

The special category of Language Studies, according to the awards' revised rules, “includes dictionaries, grammars, and essays on translation, linguistics, and other language-related areas.”

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) will screen the entries for this category as well as select the winner.

Other changes

Other changes in the rules for the 2015 awards are:

• the addition of the Essays Category in the Literary Division;
• special categories for books in Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a published within the last three calendar years (2012-2014), also in the LIterary Division; and
• the splitting of History and Journalism into two separate categories in the Non-Literary Division.

The NBDB also noted that the Translation category, which it only added last year, covers “a book translated from one language into a Philippine language, English, or Spanish; or from one Philippine language to another Philippine language.”

The National Book Awards are annual prizes given to "the best books written, designed, and published in the country," according to the NBDB.

The deadline of submission of entries for this year's awards is May 30, 2015. Books mailed from outside Manila will be accepted if postmarked May 30, 2015. — BM, GMA News

To view or download a copy of the final version of the NBA 2015 rules, visit nbdb.gov.ph or click here.

For queries, email debbiednieto@nbdb.gov.ph or call (02) 929-3887 local 804.