Western Mindanao State University proudly hosted the official launch of the Central Sinama-English Dictionary, a collaborative work by Kemp Pallesen, Anne Carol Pallesen, Lydia James, and Jeremiah Joy James, in partnership with SIL Philippines, on April 3, 2025, at the Social Hall of the College of Teacher Education.
Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, University President, was represented by Dr. Joel G. Fernando, Vice President for Research, Extension Services, and External Linkages, who read her message during the event. In the Presidentโs message, she highlighted the importance of language preservation and emphasized the universityโs role in promoting peace and cultural harmony within the community.
The book is the result of decades of immersive research on the Central Sinama language, primarily spoken in Siasi, Sulu, and parts of Tawi-Tawi. The comprehensive study began in 1962, when the Pallesen couple lived in Sulu. The dictionary features 13,000 entries, each with English definitions and sample sentences, compiled into 600 pages.
More than just a collection of words, the Central Sinama-English Dictionary stands as a testament to the authorsโ profound understanding and a meaningful contribution to the global indigenous communityโcelebrating a culture that is diverse, resilient, and deeply interconnected. (Atty. Ma. Alvie Tamon & Abigail B. Marquez, PAO)
