The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.
SIL code: MSB
ISO 639-2: phi
| Population | 600,000 first language speakers (1996 SIL), 150,000 to 200,000 second language speakers (1986 E. Wolfenden SIL). |
| Region | Masbate Province, three islands. |
| Alternate names | MINASBATE, MASBATEÑO |
| Classification | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Meso Philippine, Central Philippine, Bisayan, Central, Peripheral. |
| Comments | Related to Hiligaynon and Capiznon. 79% lexical similarity with Capiznon, 76% with Hiligaynon. Masbatenyo used in the home, market, at work, on the street. Language of wider communication. Literacy rate in first language: 86.8%. Literacy rate in second language: 86.8%. NT 1993. |
