Introduction

Tagalog, pronounced [tɐ'gaːlog], has grown to be the most commonly spoken language in the Philippines. Under the name of Pilipino (Filipino), it has around 24 million first language speakers and more than 65 million second language speakers. However, the great magnitude of this language has not always existed. In 1940, only a quarter of the population spoke Tagalog. This grew to about half the population by 1970. It is now the primary language of public education and the sole national language, while also used as a lingua franca throughout the country as well as in Filipino communities worldwide.

History

The word Tagalog is derived from tagá-ílog, tagá- meaning "native of" and -ílog meaning "river," thus meaning "river dweller" (Wikipedia). However, there are no surviving written samples of the language before the arrival of Spain in the 16th century and therefore, not much is known about the history of Tagalog.

The dialect of Tagalog considered standard is the educated dialect of Manila, native to the city located in the southern part of the island of Luzon. The lexicon of this dialect contains many borrowings from Spanish and English, "the former reflecting over three centuries of colonial domination of the Philipines by Spain, the latter reflecting the period of American hegemony (1898-1946), as well as the current status of English as both the language of higher education in the Philippines and a lingua franca" (Comrie, 936). Both languages have also impacted the phonology of Tagalog.

Language

Greetings

"Good" in Tagalog is "mabuti," but in the expression "good morning" or "good afternoon" etc. the word "beautiful" is used instead.

Good morning: Magandang umaga (ma-ga-dang u-ma-ga)

Good noon: Magandang tanghali (ma-ga-dang tang-ha-li)

Good afternoon: Magandang hapon (ma-ga-dang ha-pon)

Good evening: Magandang gabi (ma-ga-dang ga-bi)

How are you? (formal/polite): Kumusta po kayo?

How are you? (informal): Kumusta ka?

I'm fine (formal/polite): Mabuti po naman.

I'm fine (informal): Mabuti naman.

Thank you (formal/polite): Salamat po.

Thank you (informal): Salamat.

Thank you very much (formal/polite): Maraming salamat po.

Thank you very much (informal): Maraming slamat.

You are welcome (formal/polite): Wala pong anuman.

You are welcome (informal): Walang anuman.

Numbers

"Tagalog counting numbers basically follow either the Malay or Spanish root words. It is more common to hear Filipinos use the Spanish-based counting numbers in telling time and occasionally when counting money. However, Tagalog speakers often use to Malay-based counting numbers in reference to weight, objects, things and people, as well as counting money" (Seasite).

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To hear pronunciation of words in Tagalog, go to:

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_Homepage99/useful_tagalog_phrases3.htm#NUMBERS

Sound System

Tagalog is comprised of 21 phonemes, 16 consonants and 5 vowels. However, before the arrival of the Spaniards, there were only three vowel phonemes, /a/, /i/ and /u/. With the introduction of borrowed Spanish words, these vowels were expanded to include /e/ and /o/. Syllable structure in Tagalog is extremely simple: each syllable contains a consonant and a vowel.

Despite this simplicity, sounds in Tagalog can be more complicated. Here are a few examples:

• /r/ and /d/ are sometimes interchangeable since they were once allophones. In many other languages, including Spanish, /r/ and /l/ are interchangeable due to the lateralization of /r/.
• The dipthong /aɪ/ and the sequence /aʔi/ have a tendency to become [eɪ > ɛ]. This change is similar to the evolution that Spanish underwent in changing from Latin.
• The dipthong /aʊ/ and the sequence /aʔu/ have the tendency to become [oʊ > ɔ]. This change is similar to the evolution that Spanish underwent in changing from Latin.

Syntax

Word Order

Tagalog word order is Verb-Subject-Object (VSO).

Kumantá ang batà.
"The child sang."

Magagandá ang mga dalaga.
"The young women are beautiful."

Malakás ang ulán.
"The rain is strong."

However, word order may be inverted due to the inversion marker ay ('y after vowels). Following are the above sentances in inverted form:

Ang batà ay kumantá. Ang batà, kumantá.

Ang mga dalaga'y magagandá. Ang mga dalaga, magagandá.

Ang ulán ay malakás. Ang ulán, malakás.

Negation

Three negation words exist in Tagalog: hindî, walâ, and huwág.

Hindî negates verbs and equations and is sometimes shortened to dî.

Hindî akó magtatrabaho bukas.
"I will not work tomorrow."

Hindî mayaman ang babae.
"The woman is not rich."

Walâ is the opposite of may and mayroón, words that express existence and/or possession.

Walâ akóng pera. Waláng pera akó.
"I do not have money."

Waláng libró sa loób ng bahay niyá."
There are no books in his house."

Huwág is used in expressing negative commands and can be used for the infinitive and the future aspect.

Huwág kang umiyák.
"Don't cry."

Huwág kayóng tatakbó rito.
"Don't run here."

Language and Culture

Spanish Influence on Lexicon

Due to the Spanish invasion and rule for 333 years, Tagalog has many borrowings from the Spanish language. There are also borrowings from Min Nan Chinese, Malay, Sanskrit, Arabic, Tamil and others.

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Culture

As seen in the language, through use of formal versus informal word forms, as well as in their practices, the Tagalog people have a strict adhearance to conduct and respect.

They are also a culinary people, placing much emphasis on cooking abilities. Women, as well as men, are trained at an early age to be culinary experts.

Both of the cultural aspects I have seen prevelently among the Filipinos that I work with. Not only are they extremely curteous and respectful, but the food they make is absolutely delicious. In addition, they are also extremely generous, which is similar to the Latin culture.

Film

You Are the One

The trailer to this Filipino film highlights the mixing of English and Tagalog, often called Taglish or Engalog.

To view trailer go to:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ygaiPBD5CiQ