Blaan (Bʼlaan)

Blaan is a member of the South Mindanao branch of the Philippine language family. It is spoken by about 240,000 people in the Soccsksargen and Davao regions in the south of Mindanao Island in the Philippines. In particular, it is spoken in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Davao Occidental.

Blaan is also known as Bilaan, and there are two main dialects: Koronadal Blaan (Tagalagad) and Sarangani Blaan (Tumanao).

There is some literature in both varieties of Blaan, include translations of the Bible.

Blaan alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Blaan (Excel)

Notes

There appear to be several ways to write Blaan. One indicates long vowels with a grave accent (à), and another with a macron (ā).
Marking of the glottal stop appears to be optional

Sample text in Sarangani Blaan (The Lord's Prayer - Luke 11: 2-4)

Taman man Dyisas, “Ku dmasal gamu, gambet ani manyu, ‘Mà, kayèmi ku mangamfù i kdee dad to di ge. Kayèmi ku ge magot i kdee dad to.
Blém di gami i gablà knaanmi di kat duh.
Na nlifetam i dad salàmi, du nlifetmi dad salà i kdee dad to gamsalà di gami. Na nangam faloh di gami i dad tilew gamgebe gami di salà.ʼ ”

Source: Bible.com

Translation

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Source: Bible.com

Samples videos in Blaan

Information about Blaan | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about Blaan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaan_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/bpr/
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/bps/

Philippine languages

Aborlan Tagbanwa, Agutaynen, Bantik, Bikol, Blaan, Buhid, Bukid, Buol, Calmian Tagbanwa, Casiguran Dumagat Agta, Central Tagbanwa, Gorontalo, Hanuno'o, Iranun, Iraya, Isinai, Isnag, Kagayanen, Kalanguya, Kapampangan, Klata, Maguindanao, Mamanwa, Manide, Maranao, Matigsalug, Molbog, Mongondow, Obo, Palawano, Ponosakan, Ratahan, Rinconada Bikol, Sangirese, Sarangani, Suwawa, Tagalog, Tagabawà, Talaud, Tawbuid, Tboli, Tiruray, Tombulu, Tondano, Tonsawang, Umiray Dumaget, Western Bukidnon Manobo, Western Subanon

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 28.08.23. Last modified: 01.06.25

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