When learning the language of the Philippines, many people encounter two terms—Tagalog and Filipino. While they are often used interchangeably, there are key differences between Tagalog and Filipino.
This is not just a mistake made by people outside the Philippines. Even local Filipinos get confused about which term to use.
If you are a language learner interested in studying Philippine languages, this is a topic that you will eventually encounter. Knowing the differences between the two can help you gain a clearer understanding of which language to study and how to approach your learning journey.
Before diving into these differences, you first need to know a bit about the history of Tagalog and Filipino.
Historical Roots of Tagalog and Filipino
1. Pre-Colonial Period
- Before the Philippines was named, it was a group of more than 7,000 islands. The distance between these islands and the rich trading culture with its neighboring countries allowed the development of several languages.
- Tagalog was the primary language of the people living in the central and southern parts of what is now Luzon.
- Tagalog, at that time, was primarily written in the Baybayin script.
2. Spanish Colonization
- The archipelago was collectively named the Philippines after the current king of 16th Century Spain, King Philip II.
- Spanish colonization attempted to impose Spanish as the national language. Thus the introduction of the Latin alphabet.
- According to Renee Karunungan’s research and essay, the friars were mandated to learn the vernacular languages to help spread Catholicism but teach in Spanish. However, the friars only taught Spanish to the elites and the wealthy, while the broader population continued to use their native languages, including Tagalog.
- Despite the fact that Spanish was not able to fully take over the local languages, 333 years is a very long period of time. Several words were adapted into Tagalog due to Manila, a Tagalog-speaking region, being the colonial capital.
3. American Colonization
- Instead of mainly using force, the Americans resorted to education to colonize the Philippines. They successfully imposed the use of English by giving out incentives in the form of career opportunities and the like.
- Despite these circumstances, the use of Tagalog still continued to spread.
- When the Philippine Commonwealth was established in 1935, there came a proposal to choose a national language based on one of the existing native languages.
- Tagalog, being one of the major spoken languages, was chosen by the recently established Institute of National Language (INL). However, objections from the speakers of the other major languages led to the postponement of the proposal.
- After the Philippines’ independence from the United States in 1946, the tentative National Language was renamed to Pilipino to be more inclusive. It is a standardized form of various languages in the Philippines and influences from other countries.
- Pilipino is heavily influenced by Tagalog but not necessarily replaces it.
4. Japanese Colonization
- During the three-year Japanese occupation, not much has changed in terms of language besides the addition of several Japanese loanwords like karaoke. However, it did not have a profound impact on the language structure itself compared to the Spanish and American influences.
5. Current Times
- In 1987, “Western” letters were assimilated to form the current 28-letter alphabet.
- With the addition of the letter F, Pilipino was renamed to Filipino.
- Filipino was finally declared as the national language and official lingua franca under the 1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIV Section 6.
- This is followed by Section 7 stating that “For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.”
Key Differences Between Tagalog and Filipino
Now that you know the history of both languages, let’s discuss what makes Tagalog different from Filipino.
1. Age
- Tagalog is one of the oldest languages in the Philippines, having been spoken during pre-colonial times.
- Filipino, on the other hand, started as Pilipino during the late 1940s. It is currently the national language and the modernized, standardized form of Tagalog.
2. Alphabet
- The Tagalog alphabet, also known as Abakada, consists of 20 letters that represent the sounds in the language.
- There is even a song titled “Abakada” by the Filipino singer Florante that can help you memorize the letters.
- Filipino incorporated the foreign letters c, f, j, ñ, q, v, x, and z, totaling 28 letters. These additional letters are used in the case of borrowed or loaned words.
- These borrowed or loaned words undergo changes according to the Filipino language’s rules.
- For example:
| Filipino | Etymology | Language |
|---|---|---|
keyk | cake | English |
balisa | Belisah (fidgety, restless) | Malay |
Dyak en poy | Jankenpon (rock, paper, scissors) | Japanese |
Bintana | Ventana (window) | Spanish |
3. Scope and Usage
- Tagalog refers specifically to the language spoken by the Tagalog ethnic group and the regions where it is dominant, such as Manila, Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon.
- Filipino is considered a more inclusive national language, designed to represent the entire country. While Filipino is based on Tagalog, it incorporates words and expressions from other Philippine languages, including Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, and Waray, as well as Spanish and English loanwords.
- Filipino is also used to refer to the people from the Philippines.
4. Vocabulary
- In terms of everyday speech, Tagalog tends to use words that are more indigenous and formal.
- For example:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
salumpuwit | chair |
talahuluganan | dictionary |
dalisay | pure |
baro | shirt |
plano | plan |
baliw | crazy |
marahil | probably |
ulat | news |
- Meanwhile, Filipino may incorporate borrowed terms or easier alternatives from other languages.
- For example:
| Filipino | English |
|---|---|
silya | chair |
diksyunaryo | dictionary |
puro | pure |
kamiseta | shirt |
balak | plan |
buang | crazy |
baka | probably |
balita | news |
- Additionally, Filipino tends to use code-switching, where Tagalog words are combined with English in a single conversation. This is also called Taglish.
- For example:
| Filipino | English |
|---|---|
Anong schedule mo bukas? | What’s your schedule tomorrow? |
Marami akong nakuhang award sa school. | I received many awards at school. |
That’s so kadiri. | That’s so disgusting. |
Nakakahilo ang explanation ni Sir Cruz. | Sir Cruz’s explanation is so confusing. |
5. Written Language
- Tagalog writing has roots in the ancient Baybayin script, which was used before the Spanish colonization.
- Filipino has fully transitioned into the modern Latin alphabet and has adapted newer linguistic rules, allowing for broader integration of international words and phrases.
6. Cultural Influence
- Tagalog is more reflective of the cultural identity of the Tagalog-speaking people in regions like Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.
- Currently, it is viewed as a more formal way of speaking.
- Tagalog is also the language used in balagtasan and historical dramas. Though some Filipino singers are bringing back pure Tagalog songs.
- Filipino aims to represent the diverse culture of the entire Philippine archipelago, integrating various regional influences to create a more unified national identity.
- Filipino is more commonly used, especially in informal conversations.
- Modern Filipino media such as songs, teleseryes, and movies use Filipino, and by extension, Taglish.
Finding Unity In Diversity
Understanding the differences between Tagalog and Filipino is crucial for appreciating the rich linguistic diversity of the Philippines. While Tagalog remains an essential regional language, Filipino is constantly evolving to be more inclusive, representing the entirety of the Filipino people.
Both languages are interwoven, and understanding their differences can enhance your learning experience. By learning either or both, you’ll not only gain the ability to speak but also unlock the rich cultural and historical narratives embedded in the Filipino language.
If you’re interested in learning more about Tagalog or Filipino, or want to practice conversational skills, why not try Turong Wika?
Turong Wika is a Tagalog learning app designed to guide learners through real-life conversations. It helps users master vocabulary and grammar while immersing them in the Filipino language.
Turong Wika also contains two other helpful features: Cheat Sheet and Practice. Cheat Sheet helps you refresh your Tagalog knowledge by giving a detailed summary of your previous lessons. Meanwhile, Practice is where you can challenge your current knowledge by taking on quizzes on different topics.
Enrich your experience of the Philippines and its diverse culture. Scan the code below to download the app now!
Enrich your experience of the Philippines and its diverse culture. Click on the button below to download the app now!
