10 April 1895

Dapitan

Philological explanation of the term Mindanao – Spanish translation of the German schlitten – Adoption of the new Tagalog orthography – Works of immortal fame – Rizal taking care of patients and planting – Studying Malay – Tagalog could not have been derived from Malay, despite many common words – A grammar, a monument to his native tongue – A plan for an agricultural colony in Sindangan – Rizal accidentally scaring away native Subanos.

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Dapitan

10 April 1895

Jose Rizal

Mr. Fernando Blumentritt

Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Austria

My very dear Friend,

I received your affectionate letter and I read it with the greatest pleasure. I proceed then to answer your linguistic questions.

I can tell you little about the word Mindanao that I would prefer to write Mindanaw. The people here now call the whole island Mindanaw. It is true that Pigafetta mentioned Butuan, Chipit, etcetera, but now Mindanaw, if my memory does not fail me; I do not have here my notes. However, danaw in Bisaya, as in Malay, means lake (dao pan). I do not know what is lake in Moro Magindanaw. However, inasmuch as there is a great lake Lanaw, that in my opinion means lake – for in danaw, ranaw, lanaw, there are only natural phonetical changes – I can allow myself a bold conjecture which I admit can be another luces a non lucendo.[1] Magindanaw can mean great lake; magi would be a contraction of malaki (large), for in these regions the l in the middle of a word is usually omitted, saying kabaw, Tagalog, snat, instead of kalabaw, Talagilog, sulat, etc. It is customary in all countries to name whole regions after the most interesting feature in it. What is surprising then that a whole island should be called after the greatest lake found in it?

In the word Mindanaw I find the prefix min that I cannot explain, for, from the little Bisayan that I know, I know that the prefix mi or min means the past. Can this prefix min be the prefix meng of the Malay, or is it like the prefix in Mindoro? When Pigafetta applied the name Chipit to the island, it was possible that he had been misled. When he asked for the name of the whole island, the natives might have given him the name of a region. With respect to the present accent of the word, I tell you that they put it on the last syllable. For greater certainty it would be necessary to consult Pigafetta. (Carlos Amoretti, Paris, 1802). There it will be stated whether he heard it from the Moros or from the natives. The accent of the natives in Misamis, Dapitan, Sindangan, Lubugan, Dipulog, Ilaya, Lagara, Layawan, etc. it is not an advice or a request, but I believe that you ought to adopt the new orthography.

Schlitten in Spanish means trineo [sled]; but it seems to me that this word comes from the French traineau, for in Spain, sled is not used. I see that you draw well.

I congratulate you on your works which will make your name immortal. I, on the other hand, am doing nothing. I spend my days here and there, taking care of patients, planting, etc. As to writing, I do very little.[2] Now I am studying Malay, thanks to the grammar that you have sent me. I am becoming more and more convinced that Tagalog could not have been derived from the Malay, and for this reason I want to go over my Tagalog grammar, putting in comparisons with the Malay grammar. However, there is no doubt that they have many common words. At times in view of the simplicity of the language, it seems to me like the lingua franca in the Levant or the pidgin English on the Chinese coasts – a language that owes its birth to the marriage of a conquering race speaking a different language with a vanquished race. Had I many Malay books, I would study it further. However, I will do what is possible when I find good materials to leave behind a grammar that may serve as a monument to my native tongue that is destined to disappear, if God does not help it.

My mother has gone back Manila, summoned by my father; but my sisters who are here send to your family many regards and greetings.

I have a plan, if they permit me, to open an agricultural colony on the coast in Ponot, near Sindangan. I intend do plant coconuts, coffee, and cacao. The trouble is that it takes four or five days from here to there when the wind is contrary; when it is favorable, it takes only seven and a half hours. There are some Subanos, but they are so wild that when they saw me they ran away to the mountain. I had the bad luck to go there with helmet and a rifle.

Many regards and my compliments and felicitation to Fraulein Loleng, Herr Fritz, and to Kurt. To Frau Rosa and to you my unbreakable friendship and fond respect.

Ever yours,

J. Rizal

04-850 [Misc.]