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Ciphering the Tagalog Language  
by Ted Wiersma

Learning the Tagalog Language is essential if you plan to communicate in the Philippines. Tagalog is sometimes also called Filipino or the Pilipino Language. So as not to get confused, let me explain the difference between the terminologies. Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines. It is spoken by about 23% of the population. The remaining spoken languages, the remaining 77%, is divided among approximately 175 other dialects. Tagalog, being the Official National Language of the Philippines, is considered as the base language. If you look at the other dialects, you will see numerous Tagalog and Tagalog derivatives in them. And most who do speak these other dialects, understand some Tagalog. So learning Tagalog is essential.

That being said, you may wonder what Filipino or Pilipino is. This is a combination of both Tagalog and other dialects and languages. Filipino or sometimes Pilipino (its older name) is an amalgamation of all the Philippines languages, English and Spanish combined together. Since English as well as Tagalog is taught in the schools in the Philippines, many people tend to speak Tagalog with English words mixed in the sentence. At that point they are talking Filipino. So now you see how important it is to learn Tagalog. Once you take the time to learn some Tagalog, you will be able to communicate in Tagalog as well as Filipino. I hope this information has given you insight into the differences of the terminology which sometimes becomes confusing.

About the Author

Ted Wiersma has spent many years in the far reaches of Asia. Through his travels, he has experienced the Language barriers most confront when trying to learn a language. "Though learning the culture of a society is important, Language is Power!". Since returning from his last overseas assignment, Ted decided to have a professionally produced, more essential and fast learning language system developed. http://www.LearnTagalogNow.com