Taglish Totally Explained

Everything about Taglish totally explained

Taglish is a portmanteau of the words "Tagalog" and "English" which refers to the Philippine language Tagalog (or its standardized and official form Filipino) infused with American English terms. It is an example of code-switching.
   Taglish is perhaps most common in Metro Manila, where its use has become stereotyped. Its influence has nevertheless become great, as it's now arguably a lingua franca in many parts of the country. Another related example of code-switching is Englog, English infused with Tagalog words, a popular type being called /Konyo English.
   As with other examples of code-switching, Taglish is spoken for convenience. Because Tagalog/Filipino words are often longer or (currently) less familiar than their English counterparts, the English words are used instead. For example:
ť "Can you explain it to me?"

can be said in the classical Tagalog way as: ť "Maaring ipaunawa mo sa akin?" or

   "Maaring ipaliwanag mo sa akin?" (literally, "Can you shed light on it for me?")
   Instead speakers nowadays say ť "Pwedeng i-explain mo sa akin?"

Another example concerns "homework" and "assignment":
ť English: "Have you finished your homework?"

   Tagalog: "Natapos mo na ba yung takdang-aralin mo?" ť Filipino: "Natapos mo na ba yung takda mo?"

   Taglish: "Natapos mo na ba yung homework mo?" / "Natapos mo na ba yung assignment/asaynment mo?"
   As with "assignment", English words in Taglish are sometimes written in Tagalog phonetic spelling. English words in Tagalog spelling include kompyuter (computer), dyim (gym), siyampu (shampoo) and magasin (magazine). Another example is shown below:
ť English: "Please call the driver."

   Tagalog: "Pakitawag ang tsuper." ť Taglish: "Pakitawag ang driver." / "Pakitawag ang drayber/drayver." / "Paki-call ang driver."

Any English verb, and even some nouns, can be converted into a Tagalog verb by following the normal verb tense constructions of Tagalog. This is done usually by the addition of one or more prefixes or infixes and by the doubling of the starting sound of the base form of the verb or noun. The English verb "drive" can be transformed into the Tagalog "magda-drive" meaning "will drive" (used in place of the Tagalog equivalent "magmamaneho"). The English noun "Internet" can be converted into the Tagalog "nag-Internet", "have used the Internet".
   Taglish also applies to speech wherein adjacent clauses are either English or Tagalog. The conjunctions used to connect the clauses can come from either language.
   Some examples include:
ť I'll shop at the mall later.

   Magsya-shopping/magsyasyaping ako sa mall mamaya. ť Have you printed the report?

   Na-print/naprint mo na ba ang report? ť Take the LRT to school.

   Mag-LRT ka papuntang school/iskul. ť I went to school, kaso wala pa palang pasok.

   I went to school, but there weren't any classes. ť Nahihiya sila na mag-ask ng favor sa 'yo, kasi hindi mo na trabaho ito.

   They feel uncomfortable asking favors from you, because it's no longer your responsibility.
   Taglish may be used in SMS messages to write more quickly.
   Taglish is used by Filipinos living abroad, such as in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Notes and references

Further Information

Get more info on 'Taglish'.

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