The question of “What Language Is Spoken In Philippines” isn’t as straightforward as it seems. With over 183 living languages, the Philippines boasts a rich tapestry of linguistic diversity. This archipelago, comprised of 7,641 islands, provides ample space for numerous languages to thrive, most of which are indigenous. This linguistic richness is celebrated every August during Buwan ng Wika (Language Month). While the sheer number of languages might seem overwhelming, there are official, national, and widely spoken languages that help unify this diverse nation.
Official Languages of the Philippines
The Philippines recognizes two official languages: Filipino and English. Filipino serves as the national language, while English retains its official status due to the Philippines’ history as a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1946.
Filipino is predominantly used in education and media, acting as a lingua franca that bridges the nation’s diverse linguistic communities. English is commonly found in government, newspapers, and magazines.
Filipino vs. Tagalog: What’s the Difference?
The relationship between Filipino and Tagalog is close, yet distinct. Filipino is essentially an evolved version of Tagalog, incorporating elements from other native Philippine languages, as well as influences from English, Spanish, Malay, and Chinese.
Tagalog gained prominence in 1937 when it was chosen as the national language, owing to its prevalence in Manila. It was later renamed Pilipino. The 1973 constitutional amendments under President Ferdinand Marcos initiated the creation of a new language iteration: Filipino. This language officially gained its status in 1987.
This evolution of Pilipino into Filipino was part of Marcos’ vision for a “new society.” This involved integrating aspects of other languages, often replacing Tagalog words considered “aesthetically unpleasing” with more appealing alternatives. The letters f, j, c, x, and z were incorporated into the alphabet, and the spelling of some words was altered to better reflect their pronunciation.
Other Significant Languages in the Philippines
The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule for 300 years, starting in 1565. During this time, Spanish was the official language and remained a lingua franca even after losing its official status. It regained official language status alongside English in the 1935 Constitution, but was relegated to an “optional and voluntary language” in 1987.
Major regional languages spoken across the Philippines include Aklanon, Basian, Bikol, Cebuano, Chavacano (a Spanish-based creole), Hiligaynon, Ibanag, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Ivatan, Maranao, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Kinaray-a, Waray, Maguindanao, Pangasinan, Sambal, Surigaonon, Tausug, and Yakan. Most of these are indigenous languages belonging to the Austronesian language family.
Ten of these languages are spoken at home by over 90 percent of Filipinos: Tagalog, Bisaya, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Maguindanao, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan.
Immigrant populations have also impacted the Philippines’ linguistic diversity. Significant immigrant languages include Sindhi (20,000 speakers), Japanese (2,900), Indonesian (2,580), Hindi (2,420), and German (960), as well as Korean, Arabic, Vietnamese, Malay, Tamil, and various Chinese dialects.
In conclusion, the answer to “what language is spoken in Philippines” is complex and fascinating. While Filipino and English hold official status, the nation’s true linguistic wealth lies in its numerous indigenous and immigrant languages, contributing to a vibrant and multicultural society.
