Is English the first language in Philippines?
Most if not all Filipinos can understand English even if they do not speak it, therefore English is the Philippines’ first language. Those who consider Filipino/Tagalog as their first language are only those who are born in Tagalog areas.
Is learning Tagalog difficult?
Learning Tagalog is much like learning how to drive. It’s not difficult, it’s just a matter of getting used to it. … Not just to make learning easier and avoid guesswork, but also to learn what people really say in particular situations, and to make good use of your time.
Is Filipino a dying language?
Not dying. But a lot of other languages in the Philippines have died off because of Tagalog. Many more languages are in the process of being diluted and outrightly extinguished as Tagalog imposes itself on native Philippine cultures.
What is the historical background of the Philippines?
The 15th century brought about trade with merchants from the Chinese Ming Dynasty. The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth.
Who invented Tagalog?
In 1613, the Franciscan priest Pedro de San Buenaventura published the first Tagalog dictionary, his “Vocabulario de la lengua tagala” in Pila, Laguna. The first substantial dictionary of the Tagalog language was written by the Czech Jesuit missionary Pablo Clain in the beginning of the 18th century.
Is Filipino a Romance language?
No, Tagalog is a Malayo-Polynesian language. Spanish, French, Italian, Catalan, Portuguese, and Rumanian are Romance languages. Tagalog is related to Malay, Indonesian, Cebuano, Ilocano, and other Malayo-Polynesian languages.
Do Filipinos speak English?
The Philippines is recognized globally as one of the largest English-speaking nations with majority of its population having at least some degree of fluency in the language. English has always been one of the official languages of the Philippines and is spoken by more than 14 million Filipinos.