Why isn't the Philippines more proud of its language? Options

[Confused43]

What the subject says, lol. Why isn't the Philippines more proud of its language? From what I have observed, even though Tagalog (Filipino) has been declared the national language, it is in fact English which has prestige in business, media, entertainment, etc. This question isn't limited to the Philippines, it can also be asked of many peoples who make widespread use of English and other European languages such as Scandinavia or The Netherlands.

I've tried to find newspapers in Tagalog and only find a few, the majority seem to be in English, with various code-switching in Taglish. Why isn't Tagalog deemed the norm for (most) newspapers for example?

As a native English-speaker, I find it incomprehensible for other language speakers are able to sustain their own languages when the national media and music they hear is in other languages, such as English 90% of the time. How is it even possible to sustain a national language under those circumstances? For the Philippines, at least, I notice there is a Tagalog music industry. For other countries, such as Sweden, popular music in their native language is almost completely non-existent. But the difference there is: the national media at least is in the local language, television programs are made, etc.

For myself personally, because of Filipina stepmom, but living in the U.S., I only know a few words of Tagalog. I can count them on both hands, lol. And a few of those phrases are direct Spanish borrowings like "kumusta" which is really a Spanish loan "¿Como está?" but used as a greeting. Is it because of the plethora of other languages? I know she speaks at least five languages. I don't know how she keeps it all straight: English, Cantonese (she had a Chinese maid growing up), Tagalog, her island language, and then her village dialect. Oddly she has a disdain for Spanish, but if you've read my previous posts, she has a disdain for a lot of things, lol.

Which brings me to the other heritage language of the Philippines - Spanish. Why doesn't Spanish have an official status in the Philippines and isn't it spoken more often? Whenever I attend a Filipino buffet or gathering, the first thought that comes to mind is: this is a Hispanic "Latin American" culture, even if the language isn't Spanish. In many ways it is almost as if a part of Mexico was set adrift at sea and somehow bumped into China, lol. This is the impression I get. Indeed the only reason I can understand Tagalog at all is the widespread use of English, Spanish, and even Arabic loans in it, lol.

This post has been edited by Confused43: Dec 17 2010, 03:51 PM

[filipinoy]

there are 175+ native languages in the Philippines, regionalism is very common in the Philippines...not everyone accepts Tagalog as the national language

US occupation was more recent than the Spanish one... although it haven't completely died out, there are still 3 million+ Spanish speakers (incl. creole) in the Philippines, which nearly as much Spanish speakers in Puerto Rico.

This post has been edited by filipinoy: Dec 17 2010, 06:15 PM

[Confused43]

Interesting. Yeah. I know Chavacano exists, which is a Spanish creole, VERY close to Spanish. I find that fascinating.

I guess it's like the situation in India, where Hindi is the national language, but not everyone accepts it, so English is popular. In fact, the situation is similar with regard to entertainment and news media.

[filipinoy]

that could be a reasonable comparison.

in the us many pinoys are so proud of their native languages, if one finds another that speaks the same language they would talk in that language the whole time (very loudly doesnt matter where they are & w/o caring what other natinonalities/ethnicities thinks or if they get annoyed) & would never speak a full sentence of english to each other from then on lol

This post has been edited by filipinoy: Dec 19 2010, 09:44 AM

[Prau123]

I think Filipinos are proud of their language. English remains the language of government and education because of American colonialism, and American influence around the world. In a strange way, it was good that Filipinos were pushed to learn English, and have English around them, because it allowed us to migrate to America, Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand, and other countries. English has not replaced how Filipinos in the Philippines speak to one another which is mostly in their regional language. Many Filipinos abroad also speak to one another in Tagalog or a regional language. We have developed a culture where our Filipino languages coexist harmoniously with English.

[LazyAzian]

English is the preferred language of the government and media in the Philippines because 80% of Filipinos are not Tagalogs.

It acts as a neutral language.

The people in the Visayas and the Mindanao were the ones who wanted to push to use English as the medium of instruction in schools.

The Visayas and Mindanao also want English to be used more often in media and government.

There is a strong resentment against the use of the "Filipino" language.

An incident occurred before in the court in the Philippines where a Manileño judge said "You may speak in Tagalog or English."

A Cebuano politician, obviously offended, corrected the judge, "Sir, you may speak in Filipino or English."

The line between Tagalog and Filipino is obviously blurred, they need to construct a language that isn't a blatant copy of a regional dialect.

If anything they should continue introducing more non-Tagalog vocabulary in Filipino every year to the point where Tagalogs won't be able to understand it completely as Filipino would've been jumbled with Chavacano, Waray Waray, Cebuano, Ilocano, etc. vocabulary.

It evens out the playing field, the Tagalogs won't have the advantage of easily passing "Filipino class" anymore.

Imagine the Filipino language, with 10% Tagalog, 10% Cebuano, 10% Ilocano, 10% Waray Waray, 10% Chavacano, 10% Ilongo, etc. vocabulary.

Obviously the Tagalogs will complain, "This isn't Tagalog anymore! What is this? This is soo hard! What? "Filipino"? Isn't is basically like tagalog? Why isn't it like Tagalog anymore? I actually have to study it like English now?!"

"Excuse me miss, I got your Filipino class essay, you know Mahal Kita has been replaced with Quiero Kita derived from Chavacano, and Langam means bird now based on Cebuano, you failed. You have to start increasing your Filipino vocabulary instead of using Tagalog if you want to pass."

LOL.

This post has been edited by LazyAzian: Dec 25 2010, 02:32 PM

[blumage]

that could be a reasonable comparison.

in the us many pinoys are so proud of their native languages, if one finds another that speaks the same language they would talk in that language the whole time (very loudly doesnt matter where they are & w/o caring what other natinonalities/ethnicities thinks or if they get annoyed) & would never speak a full sentence of english to each other from then on lol

AHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I remember when i went to the US for the first time the only languages that i was able to speak was not english but Tagalog and Cebuano!
The second time me and my cousins had a deal to speak only in english to improve our proficiency but in the end we got tired and spoke BISAYA!!!
The fact is that we tend to speak our language it's because it reminds us of home and our childhood! Although i can speak quite a few languages myself i regard bisaya as one of my favourite although i dont have a very deep understanding of the complex words. The only thing is that i love how it plays in my ears and it sounds really funny!!

[Filipeanut]

AHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I remember when i went to the US for the first time the only languages that i was able to speak was not english but Tagalog and Cebuano!
The second time me and my cousins had a deal to speak only in english to improve our proficiency but in the end we got tired and spoke BISAYA!!!
The fact is that we tend to speak our language it's because it reminds us of home and our childhood! Although i can speak quite a few languages myself i regard bisaya as one of my favourite although i dont have a very deep understanding of the complex words. The only thing is that i love how it plays in my ears and it sounds really funny!!

That's true.

With that said is it safe to say that it is out of convenience that we use certain languages for certain situations? Instead of lack of pride? Sometimes it can also be a bit rude to speak a language another doesn't speak.

It is more convenient for a native Tagalog/Bisaya/Ilokano/etc... speaker to speak English in an English context (America/business/etc...) or Tagalog context (In Manila, in another province where they speak another dialect). You're able to get your point across much faster.

And when one does find someone who understands their dialect, they use it because it is more convenient. Why speak English or Tagalog to a Cebuano/Aklanon/Ilokano when you can just speak Cebuano/Aklanon/Ilokano?

At that point, it becomes a very proud moment indeed lol

[BuntungHininga]

tagalog, cebuano, ilokano, kapampangan ARE languages, NOT dialects.

dialects of the tagalog language are cavitenyo, bulakenyo, batanguenyo. dialects of cebuano are versions of the language spoken in cebu, bohol and davao.

the same way that english is a language, and the dialects are southern (american) english, british english, singaporean english. the basic rule speakers of different dialects will still understand each other, altho there will be some confusion with a few local words. now, a tagalog speaker will never stand a chance understanding cebuano. therefore, tagalog is a language different from cebuano. NOT A DIALECT!!

[DPSlock]

tagalog, cebuano, ilokano, kapampangan ARE languages, NOT dialects.

dialects of the tagalog language are cavitenyo, bulakenyo, batanguenyo. dialects of cebuano are versions of the language spoken in cebu, bohol and davao.

the same way that english is a language, and the dialects are southern (american) english, british english, singaporean english. the basic rule speakers of different dialects will still understand each other, altho there will be some confusion with a few local words. now, a tagalog speaker will never stand a chance understanding cebuano. therefore, tagalog is a language different from cebuano. NOT A DIALECT!!

LOL its tagalog supremacy i tell you...ever wonder why every non-filipino in america asks...so you speak tagalog right...

[RajahRaijon]

Filipino is philippines national language, not tagalog. Under Filipino we have different language like tagalog, cebuano, ilokano etc... and under this languages we have different dialects...

[bonsly21]

that could be a reasonable comparison.

in the us many pinoys are so proud of their native languages, if one finds another that speaks the same language they would talk in that language the whole time (very loudly doesnt matter where they are & w/o caring what other natinonalities/ethnicities thinks or if they get annoyed) & would never speak a full sentence of english to each other from then on lol

You r sooooo right sir

[kermit_criminal]

people need to shut the fuk up and accept a single unified language. get over your pride bullshiit and create some national unity. divide and conquer baby

[nenabunena]

The line between Tagalog and Filipino is obviously blurred, they need to construct a language that isn't a blatant copy of a regional dialect.

Well, you can't just construct a new language. Tagalog was chosen as the basis for Tagalog because there are more people who spoke or understood it than any other language. But the thing is, although Tagalog & Filipino is not easily differentiated, it soon will be. Filipino, though based on Tagalog, is purposely being reconstructed to not only include the Spanish & English words, other Filipino languages are being incorporated unto it. Soon, Filipino will end up like English today, English today vs. English 1000 years ago is hardly recognizable, almost 2 different languages. The same will happen to Tagalog & Filipino. & though for sentimental reasons, & for us Tagalogs who take pride in our history, it may be heartbreaking at this lost, at the end it will serve not only the Tagalogs, but other Filipinos as well. Perhaps finally, Filipinos can unite & cooperate to save their country from destroying itself.

This post has been edited by nenabunena: Oct 21 2011, 04:58 PM

[tamang hinala]

if they only knew that Malay used to be the lingua franca in the Philippines back during the pre-colonial period.

[martin_nuke]

Tagalog is a new and evolving language it is a combination of all influential languages combined like Sanskrit, Malay, Spanish, English etc... and Rizal didn't even speak the Tagalog of today because the present Tagalog is much different than Rizal had spoken.

[Prau123]

deleted post

This post has been edited by Prau123: Dec 27 2011, 12:41 PM