The languages that are spoken the most in the Philippines are Filipino and English. The major dialect of the Filipino people is Tagalog, yet it would be remiss of us to say that only Tagalog is spoken as the indigenous language of the Philippines. Present-day Filipinos are descendents of a tribe of Indonesian people called the Malays. The Filipino language is a mix of ancient Malay, Tagalog, Spanish, English, and a few other tongues that came from Asia and Portugal. Tagalog is the most notable of these language sects and as a derivative from Malay, is the foundation of the language.
Many Filipino Dialects and English
To be able to effectively communicate while in the Philippines, one will require to know either English or Filipino. Conversational Filipino will do quite nicely in most of the larger cities of the Philippines and English will easily be spoken and understood as well. The other lesser-known and infrequently spoken dialects of Filipino are heard only in the smaller more remote islands. English-speaking visitors will have no problems with communication in the larger cities such as Manila and Cebu City and with a little practice in Tagalog; the adventurer will be all set to have a fantastic time in the Philippines!
History and Evolution of the Filipino Language
1900’s Filipino Language Created for Island Communication
Tagalog is the Main Dialect of the Filipino Language
Spanish and American Colonial Efforts Blends Spanish and English into Tagalog
Taglish is created after mingling of English and Tagalog used liberally in the Philippines
Filipino Language Continues to Evolve with International Popularity of the Philippines
Conversational Filipino
Here is a list of a few of the most used salutations and daily Filipino phrases spoken in the Philippines. This will not make the visitor to the island archipelago fluent in the language yet it will assist the traveler with being friendly and getting by! A great asset to learn is a few of the phrases as it will demonstrate to the people of this lovely and beautiful nation that the traveler thought enough of them to learn something to say in the native tongue. This goes back to the earliest days of exploration and it serves well as an ice-breaker and verbal acknowledgment of mutual respect.
Speak Tagalog
The languages that are spoken the most in the Philippines are Filipino and English. The major dialect of the Filipino people is Tagalog, yet it would be remiss of us to say that only Tagalog is spoken as the indigenous language of the Philippines. Present-day Filipinos are descendents of a tribe of Indonesian people called the Malays. The Filipino language is a mix of ancient Malay, Tagalog, Spanish, English, and a few other tongues that came from Asia and Portugal. Tagalog is the most notable of these language sects and as a derivative from Malay, is the foundation of the language.
Many Filipino Dialects and English
To be able to effectively communicate while in the Philippines, one will require to know either English or Filipino. Conversational Filipino will do quite nicely in most of the larger cities of the Philippines and English will easily be spoken and understood as well. The other lesser-known and infrequently spoken dialects of Filipino are heard only in the smaller more remote islands. English-speaking visitors will have no problems with communication in the larger cities such as Manila and Cebu City and with a little practice in Tagalog; the adventurer will be all set to have a fantastic time in the Philippines!
History and Evolution of the Filipino Language
Conversational Filipino
Here is a list of a few of the most used salutations and daily Filipino phrases spoken in the Philippines. This will not make the visitor to the island archipelago fluent in the language yet it will assist the traveler with being friendly and getting by! A great asset to learn is a few of the phrases as it will demonstrate to the people of this lovely and beautiful nation that the traveler thought enough of them to learn something to say in the native tongue. This goes back to the earliest days of exploration and it serves well as an ice-breaker and verbal acknowledgment of mutual respect.
Filipino Phrases and Words
Meet and Greet
Hello and How Are You? Kumusta (koo-moo-STAH)
I Am Fine Mabuti (mah-BOO-tee)
Goodbye Paalam (pah-AHL-ahm)
Yes Oo (OH-oh)
No Hindi (heehn-DEE)
Directions for Getting Around
Left Kaliwa (kah-lee-WAH)
Right Kanan (KAH-nahn)
Up Taas (tah-AHS)
Down Baba (bah-BAH)
Where is the…? Saan ang…? (Sah-AHN ahng…?)
Pleasantries
Please Paki (pah-KEE)
Thank You Salamat (sah-LAH-maht)
Monetary Considerations Numbers
Money Pera (PEHR-rah)
How Much? Magkano (mahg-KAH-noh?)
How Many? Ilan (ee-LAHN)
One Isa (ee-SAH)
Two Dalawa (dah-lah-WAH)
Three Tahtlo (that-LOH)
Big Malaki (mah-lah-KEE)
Small Maliit (mah-lee-EET)