Western Subanon language


Western Subanon is an Austronesian language belonging Subanen branch of the Greater Central Philippine subgroup. It is spoken by c. 300,000 people in the southwestern part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region of Mindanao.

Distribution and dialects

The Western Subanon speech area includes the villages Malayal, Lintangan, Lanuti, and Limpapa in the municipality of Sibuco, and parts of Siocon, Baliguian, Labason, Surabay, and Ipil, all located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region. The dialects are Siocon and Western Kolibugan.

Phonology

Western Subanon has 15 native consonants.

Consonants

Vowels

Western Subanon has five vowels.
FrontCentralBack
High
Mid
Low

The diphthongs of Western Subanon are,,,,, and.

Grammar

Western Subanon has a typical Philippine-type voice system. Unlike most other Philippine languages, it only has three voice categories.

Sample text

The chorus of the Western Subanon song "Momula ita" 'Let's plant' is shown.