For the proposed orthography, yes, its possible and its actually a good objective to use a common orthography for all Philippine languages. Unfortunately, I am not a member of KWP although I am here to show my ideas. They can swipe my ideas if they find it meritorious, since anyway, its out here in the public.

Also, please don’t call them ‘dialects’. They’re actually languages and the word ‘dialect’ is a pejorative term if applied to any language.

Nothing amateurish with your question. Shoshin (one of my blogs), remember?

I find that expressions tied to the culture of a linguistic group are always untranslatable. If I try to translate them, a lot of the flavor/meaning is lost. They are the markers that make such culture unique, it’s a social asset. Bikolanos should treasure their language, by writing a lot of creative native literature in it and using it daily, to preserve it. Keep your love of Bikol alive and spread it! Thanks for the comment.

I came across this entry through the tag surfer. I must say this is very interesting and informative. I also think Bikol is more expressive. You’re right, things are more intense when said in Bikol. It’s always funnier when said in “palanit”! I always have a hard time translating Bikol humor to Tagalog speaking friends. Even some expressions, I have a hard time translating. Like, “Ay sa buli ni ina niya!” Hahahaha. Always funny to me but how will you translate that expression to tagalog? When I translate it, it doesn’t sound as funny and as intense haha!

I refuse to talk in Tagalog to my cousins who know how to speak Bikol. I just love speaking Bikol. I know most of the palanit terms and use some of them but people my age aren’t aware of it. It frustrates me to some degree!