From spicy foods to spicy words, Bikolanos have a way of switching up to an entirely different set of words in moments of strong emotion. Your pet cat, once called ikós, is now kurasmág, and eating (kakán) suddenly turns into sibâ.
This distinct shift in vocabulary isn’t just a quirk of Bikol speech, but it’s a speech pattern unique to Bikolanos that mimics heightened emotions.
Dr. Jason Lobel, a linguist from the University of Hawai‘i, described this as an “angry register” in his 2005 study, documenting its use in three Bikol languages: Northern Bikol (as spoken in Naga City, Camarines Sur), Rinconada (as spoken in Nabua, Camarines Sur), and Southern Sorsoganon (as spoken in Bulan, Sorsogon).
His research reveals that this register consists of over 100 unique words that replace common nouns, verbs, and adjectives only when the speaker is angry.
Jeremiah Cordial, a Bikolano writer specializing in sociolinguistics and language, said that while the term “angry register” is commonly used, it is somewhat of a misnomer.
He believes that the perception of Bikol sounding “angry” is more phonetic than emotional.
“The ‘angry’ in this register refers to a range of emotions, [such as] irritation, frustration, agitation, and even nagging and banter,” he said.
“It’s true that a register is not necessarily tied to emotions. It’s more of a situational speech pattern where one navigates different emotional intensities,” he added.
While "heightened emotion" could be a potential alternative term, Cordial said not all heightened emotions (such as fear, excitement, or joy) fall within this register.
For now, he says, “angry register” remains a sufficient term since, even in banter, the intent is often to evoke or imitate anger.
CAN BIKOLANOS UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER?
The Bicol Region, located in southern Luzon, is home to six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
A common misconception is that Bikolanos from different areas can understand each other completely.
Bikol is classified as a macrolanguage under the ISO 639 standard. According to Ethnologue, it consists of several distinct languages, including:
- Buhi’non Bikol
- Central Bikol
- Libon Bikol
- Miraya Bikol
- Northern Catanduanes Bikol
- Rinconada Bikol
- Southern Catanduanes Bikol
- West Albay Bikol
However, Cordial said no universally accepted classification exists at the moment.
“This highlights the need for the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) to commission a dedicated language study for Bikol,” he said.
The spelling of 'Bikol' or 'Bicol' depends on usage. 'Bicol' is often seen in official names and government documents, while 'Bikol' follows modern Philippine orthography, which replaces 'c' with 'k' to better match native pronunciation.
A FIERCE LANGUAGE
Language registers change usually depending on formality or social context. But Bikolano’s angry register is different, as it’s triggered solely by a range of emotions.
"In the case of the Bikol languages, one of these “social situations” or “occasions of use” is the situation of being angry,” Lobel said.
Some words from Naga City in this register include:
- Cat: ikós → kurasmág
- Dog: áyam → dusngáb
- Eat: kakán → sibâ
- Hungry: gútom → guslók
- Woman: babáye → babaknít
Lobel's research found that this vocabulary was already in use as early as the 1600s, as recorded in old Bikol dictionaries.
However, even Bikolanos do not know why there is an ‘angry register’ in Bikol, or how and where it originated.
"This angry register is not only an apparent oddity among the languages of the world, but also an object of curiosity among Bikol speakers themselves," Lobel said.
A FIERY CULTURE
Many Bikolanos recall hearing these words from elders and friends, not realizing they were part of a rare linguistic feature.
Rhealyn S. Dalma from Polangui, Albay, said words like 'abluon' (food) and 'siknit' (woman) often come up when family members argue or when elders reprimand others.
"Both my aunt and grandmother, who are from upland or urban areas, use these words regularly, especially when addressing situations like my uncle’s drunkenness or reminding my cousins to feed their pets,” she said.
She believes that preserving these expressions is crucial for maintaining Bikol's cultural identity.
"There’s a negative connotation to the angry register, but we can put it in a good light and use it as an important part of our history," she said.
In Sorsogon, Jeremy Paul Jumamil observed that the angry register is less commonly used today.
“It’s usually heard when expressing excessive frustration,” he said.
He recalled 'bagrat' (rain) as one of the more memorable angry register words, often used humorously by his family.
Jeremy said the use of the angry register is fading, mainly due to a more lenient approach from elders and the rise of the English language.
“The use of English is replacing traditional language,” he said.
However, he recognized the cultural value of preserving these words.
"Bikol is the only known language with angry registers. Though I wouldn’t encourage the use of angry registers due to its hostile language, I think preserving it would greatly help preserve the culture of the region," Jeremy said.
For Hecyl Brojan from Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, the angry register usually comes during high-energy conversations with her friends.
"We’re not even mad at each other, but because we’re so excited and passionate in our conversation, we end up sounding like we’re arguing. It’s all in good fun, though our tone may get heated, but it’s just part of our dynamic," she said.
While she supports preserving this linguistic quirk, she emphasizes context.
"Among fellow Bikolanos, it’s natural. But with outsiders, it can be misinterpreted," she said.
Asther Sosito from Virac, Catanduanes, shared that the angry register is often used in both playful and serious conversations within her family.
“When my Tita talks about her love interests, my Lola might jokingly say, 'Ay inay, gatilahon (flirty) ka talaga,'" she said.
When it’s time to sleep, her grandmother's tone changes, saying “Magkaratusmag (sleep) na kamo,” which reflects a more serious mood.
Asther also pointed out that, while the angry register is still common in rural areas, it is becoming less frequent in urban settings due to the influence of social media and an increased focus on emotional intelligence.
“In my Lola's barangay, even the teens use these words playfully, but in Virac… it's less common,” she said.
Despite this, she believes the angry register is a fun and important part of Bikol’s culture.
"It's a language we share through family experiences, creating a sense of belonging," she said.
In contrast, Carl Vincent Bermudo from Masbate City, said he often observes "younger generations" using it.
"I think it's because a feeling of joy arises whenever these words are used in normal conversations, giving the speaker some sort of "high", and of course because it gives interactions more authenticity and emotion," he said.
Carl said he always use the angry register words: alimantak (head) and minurulmolg (decimated).
"I always hear them when I'm in a social activity with my close friends from Masbate, especially when drinking," he said.
A PROFESSIONAL’S PIECE
Cordial said similar registers exist in Agusan Manobo, Rajah Kabungsuwan Manobo, and Mongondow, but points out that Sentral Bikol stands out due to the extensiveness of its speech patterns.
“Native speakers can even create new words by inserting extra consonants,” he said.
Cordial also said similar registers may exist in other Philippine languages, particularly in Cebuano and Waray.
“I’ve spoken with Cebuano and Waray speakers who claim they also have an ‘angry register,’” he said.
He finds Norte-Waraynon speakers’ accounts more convincing, as linguistic accommodation between Waraynons and Bikolanos is common due to historical and geographical ties.
However, without formal linguistic studies, Cordial said it is difficult to compare the extent of this speech pattern across languages definitively.
Cordial reaffirms that Bikolanos do indeed have a distinct way of switching to an alternate vocabulary within this register, but not necessarily because they are angry, but because they can imitate anger, evoke reactions, or even annoy others playfully.
Beyond its linguistic uniqueness, the angry register also serves as a reminder of the richness of Bikol languages.
So the next time a Bikolano switches from ngúsò to ngurápak, it’s just the world’s fierciest language at work.
