Speak basic Tagalog
Tagalog is an expressive language
There are two official languages in the Philippines: Filipino and English. Filipino is based on the Tagalog language. In fact, there seems to be no difference between the two aside from the name. Tagalog is spoken by the larger part of the country’s population, and it is more commonly used than English.
Take note that although the Philippines have a high literacy rate, not everyone can speak English fluently. If you plan on staying here, you need to learn some Tagalog phrases or words that would help you get by everyday, say when looking for a grocery item, asking for directions, or when haggling in the marketplace.
Tagalog has been receiving and assimilating several influences from other local and foreign languages, and since English is the other official language of the country, it is no wonder that the Tagalog vocabulary borrows many words from English.
Code-switching: the frequent change from one language to another is very common, and Filipinos are fond of it. You can here someone speak in English, then switching to Tagalog, then back to English. This code-switching between English and Tagalog is helpful to foreigners in the sense that it helps them get familiar with common Tagalog.
Speaking the Tagalog tongue
Pronunciation when learning Tagalog
In Tagalog – much like Spanish – everything is pronounced. There are no silent letters or blending or any other phonological processes that are quite common in other languages such as English and French. There are 21 consonants and five vowels in Filipino. The language is actually easy to read. Just remember that every letter is pronounced.
Basic phrases in speaking Tagalog
For you to get by, you have to learn the equivalent of the basic questions and answers that are taught to everyone even before school. Below is a list of the basic questions, particularly the WH type.
What – Ano
What is your name? Ano ang pangalan mo?
My name is.. Ang pangalan ko ay..
Who – Sino
Who are you? Sino ka?
I am.. Ako si
Where – Saan
Where do you live? Saan ka nakatira?
I live in.. Nakatira ako sa..
When – Kailan
When did you arrive? Kailan ka dumating?
I came here on.. Dumating ako noong..
Why – Bakit
Why are you here? Bakit ka nandito?
I am here for.. Nandito ako dahil..
How – Paano
How can I go there? Paano ako makakapunta doon?
You can go there by.. Makakapunta ka roon kung/kapag..
Common phrases in Tagalog language
Aside from the WH-questions, it is quite important if you also know some of the phrases that are often used in the country. These phrases would help you carry out a conversation.
Greetings:
Magandang umaga! Good morning!
Magandang tanghali! Good afternoon!
Magandang hapon! Good afternoon!
Magandang gabi! Good evening!
“Good night” is also commonly used in place of “Good evening.”
Kamusta ka? How are you?
It’s late. Go to sleep. Gabi na. Matulog ka na.
Magkano? How much?
Sige! Sure!
Mahal kita. I love you.
Ayos ka lang ba? Are you okay?
Code-switching when speaking Tagalog
As noted, code-switching is a usual thing in the Philippines. In fact, it is not limited to English and Tagalog alone. There are many who switch from English to Tagalog and to another dialect, oftentimes one that is a regional language in the country, such as Ilocano and Bikolano.
This is the result of the Philippines having around 175 languages in its numerous islands and the influences it received and continues to receive throughout history and until now. Another reason is the fact that English and Filipino/Tagalog are both official languages in the Philippines, both used by the government, universities, press, and almost everyone living in the archipelago.
In addition to that, English is a second language, and the level of exposure that English-learners in the country get is quite high. Code-switching is so strong because if you are Filipino, you speak English in school, but you switch to Tagalog once you come home.
Here are the common ways that code-switched English words occur in Tagalog sentences.
Magma-mall ka ba? (Are you going to the mall?)
Nag-lunch ka na ba? (Have you eaten lunch?)
Magsho-shopping ako. (I’m going shopping.)
Bibili ako ng candy at juice. (I’m going to buy candies and juice.)
Take note that the italicised words are English, and they are the code-switched words in the set of Tagalog sentences. Most of the time, the code-switched words are those that have no counterparts in the other language, or those that are so strongly assimilated already that the their counterparts are not used anymore. There are actually instances that Tagalog words get embedded in English sentences, like in the following example.
Have you eaten na? Kumain ka na ba?
The included ‘na’ can be translated to ‘already’ in English.
Insider Tip: Many learners say that Tagalog is a language as crazy as English, not because it is structurally difficult, but because of the nuances that are hard to cope with. In terms of pronunciation, the language is easy, since all you have to do is pronounce everything. However, like English, Tagalog embodies a rich mix of cultures, as evident in code-switching and its tightly packed arsenal of borrowed and assimilated words that tend to change the structure sometimes.
If you really want to know how to communicate using Tagalog, you just have to continue on using the language. The books teach you the rules, but you have to put them in practice. Just like in the real world, not all rules are followed all the time. How do you know which ones are broken? Listen. Take time to listen to how people use the language. You will discover that most Tagalog-speakers actually do not rigidly follow the rules; they just express themselves no matter what and they still to understand each other.
