Tagalog is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Although it originated in the Philippines, it contains traces of other languages, such as English and Spanish. In the United States alone, it is one of the most common languages aside from English with an estimated 1.69 million speakers.
Find out why this widely known language is so important, and why it should be on your radar.
What Is Tagalog?
Tagalog is alanguage that originated in the Philippine islands. It is the first language of most Filipinos and the second language of most others. More than50 million Filipinos speak Tagalogin the Philippines, and 24 million people speak the language worldwide.
The direct translation of the wordTagalogmeans, “from the river.” It combines language influences from China, Malaysia, Spain and America. It is the result of the occupation of the Philippines by several other nations.
The origins of this language date back to more than 1,000 years ago. Interestingly, Tagalog has changed throughout the years as various countries have influenced the Philippines.
Tagalog Facts
- Today, it’s estimated that over 24 million people speak Tagalog outside of the Philippines. Some of the many countries where this language is spoken include Canada, Guam, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Tagalog began appearing in written language as far back as 900 CE. The oldest Filipino document found in the Philippines, the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, was written in Tagalog. It was discovered in 1989. In the beginning of the 18th century, Pablo Cain wrote the first Tagalog dictionary.
- In 1879, Tagalog became the official language of the Philippine islands, but its reign was short lived; in 1935, Spanish was established as the national language.
Over times of various occupations, Tagalog incorporated words, phrases and pronunciations of other languages. Some Filipinos refer to the combination of Tagalog and English as Taglish. Most Filipinos still speak Tagalog, though many of the younger generations also learn other Filipino dialects as well.
Tagalog in the United States
Tagalog is the third most spoken non-English language in the United States. The majority of Tagalog speakers live in California, Nevada and Washington. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many celebrities living and working stateside also speak Tagalog.
Black Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap – whose given name is Allan Pineda Lindo – is from the Philippines and speaks Tagalog; he was recently featured as a judge on the Filipino version ofThe Voice.
Famed American actress Meghan Markle (who also happens to be married to Prince Harry of England) speaks Tagalog. She recently surprised a Filipino fan by speaking to her in her native language.
Tagalog Translation
It’s not surprising that Tagalog is a language with significant global reach and impact. Luckily,Dynamic Languageoffers language translation services that can help you connect with your Tagalog-speaking audience.
Basic translation services, such as Google Translate, aren’t always reliable in Tagalog due to the variation in dialects. Accuracy is important when it comes to translation services, which is why professional translation is necessary.
Dynamic Language has over 30 years of translation experience. We employ more than 3,000 native-speaking translators to ensure your translation is always accurate — regardless of your industry.
FAQs
Tagalog is a language that originated in the Philippine islands. It is the first language of most Filipinos and the second language of most others. More than 50 million Filipinos speak Tagalog in the Philippines, and 24 million people speak the language worldwide.
What is the background of Tagalog language? ›
Tagalog is part of the Austronesian language family and provides the base for Filipino, the official language of the Philippines. Tagalog was developed over time through the influence of Sanskrit, Chinese, Spanish, and English, and it is widely spoken across the various islands that are the modern Philippines.
What is the origin of the Filipino language? ›
Filipino is the most prevalent, serving as the country's national language since the 1970s. It originated from Tagalog, which is spoken on the northern island of Luzon. Filipino is commonly used in major urban areas, including Manila, the capital and largest city, as the official language in the Philippines.
What is the historical background of Philippine English? ›
The evolution of the Philippine English started from the American occupation in 1898 and continued its linguistic development in Philippine standards through the present times.
What language is Tagalog based on? ›
Tagalog language, member of the Central Philippine branch of the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language family and the base for Pilipino, an official language of the Philippines, together with English.
What is the difference between Tagalog and Filipino? ›
Tagalog is the language spoken in the Philippines' Central Luzon region, particularly in the provinces of Bulacan, Batangas, and Quezon. It is the foundation of the Philippines' national language, Filipino. Filipino, on the other hand, is the country's official language and is based on Tagalog.
Why was Tagalog changed to Filipino? ›
Renaming and Modernization: In 1959, Pilipino was renamed Filipino to emphasize its inclusivity and the aspirations of a national language that would represent the entire Philippines. Filipino, which retained its roots in Tagalog, was declared the national language of the Philippines in the 1987 Constitution.
Why is the Tagalog language important? ›
The benefits of modern Filipino language include its ability to express cultural traditions, values, beliefs, and national aspirations. It allows for better communication and understanding within a multilingual and multicultural setting.
When did Tagalog become the official language of the Philippines? ›
On December 30, President Quezon issued Executive Order No. 134, s. 1937, approving the adoption of Tagalog as the language of the Philippines, and proclaimed the national language of the Philippines so based on the Tagalog language.
Why is Tagalog similar to Spanish? ›
While Tagalog borrowed from Spanish, Spanish itself is a linguistic melting pot. Cognates and Shared Words - Interestingly, due to common origins in Latin and other linguistic crossroads, Tagalog and Spanish have cognates—words that look and sound similar, often with similar meanings.
The Philippines were claimed in the name of Spain in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain, who named the islands after King Philip II of Spain. They were then called Las Felipinas.
What is the oldest city in the Philippines? ›
Cebu has a population of 2.5 million and is the oldest city and the first capital of the Philippines. Under Spanish rule for three centuries, Cebu has the oldest university, San Carlos University, and the oldest street, Colon Street, built by the Spaniards.
Is Tagalog an ancient language? ›
The Baybayin script, used to write in Tagalog prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 16th century. Old Tagalog is one of the Central Philippine languages, which evolved from the Proto-Philippine language, which comes from the Austronesian peoples who settled in the Philippines around 2200 BC.
What languages made up Tagalog? ›
Since the ancient times, the Tagalog language has been influenced by a lot of languages, since most of the speakers are merchants in distant places and well travelled. Tagalog contain words from Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic, Spanish and English.
Is Tagalog Philippines main language? ›
The 1987 constitution designates Filipino, a standardized version of Tagalog, as the national language and an official language along with English. Filipino is regulated by Commission on the Filipino Language and serves as a lingua franca used by Filipinos of various ethnolinguistic backgrounds.
What is the ethnic linguistic origin of Tagalog? ›
Tagalog is an Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language like the other Philippine languages. The mother tongue of some 19,550,000 Filipinos, it was chosen as the basis of the national language (Pilipino) and is taught in all schools.
What is the background of customs of the Tagalog? ›
Customs of the Tagalog was written by Spanish friar Franciscan friar during the early 16th century. In the first place, the author was not a native Tagalog but a Franciscan Missionary who first arrived in the Philippines in 1577.
