  The one-dimensional spin-orbital model is studied by means of Abelian
bosonization. We derive the low-energy effective theory which enables us to
study small deviations from the SU(4) symmetric point. We show that there
exists a massless region with algebraically decaying correlation functions,
$\sim \cos(\pi/{2a_0} x) x^{-3/2}$. When entering the massive phase, the system
displays an approximate SO(6) enlarged symmetry with a dimerization type of
ordering consisting in alternating spin and orbital singlets.
