ASI, MORE THAN A DIALECT

When American anthropologist Otley Beyer first read a paper on the Asi or Bantoanon dialect, he instructed student Gabriel Fabella Sr. to give more details about the unfamiliar tongue spoken on the islands near Mindoro.

After reading an extended explanation from the future historian and Romblon Assemblyman, Beyer concluded that the dialect spoken in Odiongan, Maghali Group and Calatrava should not be classified as a mere dialect. It should be promoted to a "minor language."

The language has become so advance that the old and new testament of the Bible has been translated into the Asi language. An English-Asi dictionary is now available in the book market.

Fabella and Odiongan chronicler Mateo Menez say

Bantoanon dialect developed in the Maghali Group which was then the melting pot of the ethnic ang linguistic groups. Bantoanons came from Marinduque, from Mindoro and from Panay. "From speaking the different languages, they developed a common language", Fabella says.

What is the root of the Bantoanon dialect? When a researcher once presented anthropologist Robert Fox with a list of sample words from the islands, he observed that the root must have come from Indonesia.

Asi literature is understandably developed in Banton than in Odiongan. Fabella pays tribute to Banton poet Cleto Forjes whom he considers as the "greatest poet of Banton". Fabella says Forjes "Kahuluga't Guya" has no equal in Bantoanon literature.

In Odiongan, people still remember May Fetalino with this "Palibotlibot" which reflects the cheerfulness and positive outlook of Odionganons. Educator Salustiano Faigao also wrote excellent poems in Bantoanon dialect.

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