OK, I know there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of different languages, dialects and pronunciation variations in the Philippines. I'm just curious about one word though...what is the difference or different usage or different grammar for these:

intindihan
maintindihan
naiintindihan

Is this a mainly 'Tagalog' word? Or is it used within many of the other languages/dialects? Is it mainly on Luzon? or also down to the Visayas and Mindanao?

also, is arok and maarok roughly the same thing?

Want to learn this language because I live in Philippines. I can only speak in English at the moment.

I moved to the philippines and I can't seem to find anyone in my school to go to lunch or recess with. I can't speak tagalog so do you think they would be sad if they have to speak it all the time? I'm from the U.S.

I am Filipino, and my extended family speaks Tagalog [not my immediate family] I usually only see them around holidays, and only the older generations speak Tagalog [none of their children, so my cousins don't speak it]
I talked to my grandfather about wanting to learn it, and he said its useless because everyone in the Philippines speaks English anyways. [he didn't teach my father either]
I saw that on some of the websites I go to that a good amount of the people speak Tagalog, and if I wanted to practice I could probably practice in the groups centered around speaking in Tagalog.
However, apart from people online, is it worth my time to learn the language? It seems that in a few years the language will really not have any use, since the number of people who speak it are depleting.
Do you think I should learn it anyways?
note: I moved this from the language section to here, because I figured this section might be better >___>

I am Filipino, and my extended family speaks Tagalog [not my immediate family] I usually only see them around holidays, and only the older generations speak Tagalog [none of their children, so my cousins don't speak it]
I talked to my grandfather about wanting to learn it, and he said its useless because everyone in the Philippines speaks English anyways. [he didn't teach my father either]
I saw that on some of the websites I go to that a good amount of the people speak Tagalog, and if I wanted to practice I could probably practice in the groups centered around speaking in Tagalog.
However, apart from people online, is it worth my time to learn the language? It seems that in a few years the language will really not have any use, since the number of people who speak it are depleting.
Do you think I should learn it anyways?

I come from a good family that doesn't really speak filipino. I'm 13, but I wanna be more filipino. I love the Philippines, and show it. But I just don't feel like a TRUE filipino for some reason. How can I?

Tagaglog has always been the language spoken in my home, and my parents have/still always speak to me in tagalog. But over the years i've stopped speaking and started answering in english.

I have found that speaking tagalog is really difficult for me now. I understand it all. But speaking is so hard. It's hard for me to put sentences together. I'm self-concious when i try to speak because i have a horrible accent and know my grammer is all wrong.

I want to be able to speak tagalog again. To my family back in the philippines, and all my friends there. Now to my question...
I'm thinking about buying one of those Learn Tagalog programs i can get from the book store. I just want to know if it's worth it. If it will help me at all. I mean i understand tagalog. I can put basic sentences together... just not elaborate much. Will this program help me? Or do these programs just teach me the stuff i already know?
please no answers about just get your family to speak to you in tagalog. BECAUSE THEY DO. they have all my life. i'm around them 24/7. they speak tagalog to me 24/7. i just can't speak. i also now choose not to speak in front of them because it's embarassing how horrible my tagalog and my accent is.

Hi, later this year I will be a proud best man for my Wife's brother's wedding in the Philippines (Mindanao). Unfortunately, being British and from the UK, I know and speak next-to-no Tagalog or Visayan! I'm not going to let that put me off though and so I now need help from any budding Philippine jokers (or jokesses?) out there!
If anyone knows any suitable wedding jokes to amuse the guests, I would be very grateful to recieve them! It would be best if you could post both the joke and it's english translation if possible. Family jokes and wedding jokes would all be very much appreciated! Many thanks for any responses! I look forward to laughing at your bestlines! Tony.

Do you think multiple language/cultural proficiency is best for the Philippines?

Will it diminish or ehance the filipino heritage?

Under my opinion It would be nice if we adopted hardwork and multiculturalism but im afraid it may also diminish our native tribes' culture.

What do you think?

Yes, I both speak Tagalog(my 1st language) and English very fluently.

Well, I want to learn Spanish as a third language, because I have alot of Hispanic Friends here in my school. And Spanish is the 2nd most spoken language in the US, while Tagalog is the sixth. English is the First.

Go to this site, It has all the Tagalog loanwords from different races.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tagalog_loanwords

Please recommend any good softwares, websites. That'll help me understand Spanish. )

Oh and Tagalog is not a race, it's one of the members of the Filipino languages. And Filipino is a race, and Philippines or Filipinas is a country named after King Felipe II of Spain. (alot of people mistake Tagalog as a race)

Please answer guys )

Hi,

I'm an American who intends to marry a Filipina. I love her very much and I am trying to get a good understanding of her culture and country. I have done significant research online but I seem to continue find inaccurate information due to the fact that every time I ask her about it she says it is not really very true. Yes, much of it is generalizations, but there must be at least one website with quality information about the Philippines. I'm not looking for facts like the CIA World Factbook either. Just some things I can read to understand the culture there. I have not been to the PHI. She and I met while I was in Korea with the US Army. I would like to go someday but she will be here in 3 months so I really want to have some understanding by then.
Francis, I met her while I was in Korea. I met her in June 2008 and she returned to the PHI in February of this year. She will not be getting a Tourist visa though. It is a fiance visa.

Thank you both for the great answers. I am looking at the website now.

Hi, I am Filipino but my Tagalog seems to be slipping away as a result of almost two years in the US. Please translate this to Tagalog:

Stand up, Philippines
Where is your pride?
Stop electing bad leaders
We can make it a first world country
Stand up, Philippines
Stand up!
If you can't speak Tagalog you aren't Filipino.

Can someone please teach me how to speak tagalog, it can be through chat or voice chat. I just got back visiting my cousins from the Philippines and now i really want to learn so it would be easier for me to communicate with them. I understand it just cant speak it. Please email me at Naptownwrestler04@yahoo.com

I have a cousin who grew up in the philippines till he was 9 years old. He went to school there, had friends and learned the filipino language very fluently. When he was 9 years old, he went back to germany with his parents. He's now 17 years old and he says he forgot the language! when he visited the philippines again, he didn't speak a word of the phil language coz he says he forgot it! He was a very fluently speaker when he was a kid, how can he forget? Did he actually forget the language or is he just lying and pretending he forgot it?

Historians says there are 3,000+ ancient Hebrew words found in Philippines vocabulary.

What is it like for an American born Filipino to live in the Philippines?

I have dual citizenship there but I do not know how to speak Tagalog (english only), and don't know the culture that much. I understand that it would take time to adjust but what is it like to live there if you're an American? Would it be hard to get a job?

Im a Filipino living abroad. Its wierd to discover that different people call each country and each people differently. Example:We Filipinos call
Philippines- Pilipinas(Pilipino,Pinoy)
USA - Estados Unidos(Amerikano)
UK - Britania(Inglis)
Spain - Espania(Espanyol)
Japan - Hapon(Hapones)
China - Tsina(Intsik)

And as for Koreans:
Philippines -Pilipin(Pilipin saram)
USA -Miguk(Miguk saram)
UK -Yungguk(Yungguk saram)
Germany - Tuggil (Tuggil saram)
Japan - Ilbon(Ilbon saram)
China -Chungguk(Chungguk saram)

Can you name some like what I did above?

please define the meaning of the phrase "apay ka agunget"....i am an american who had a vacation in the Philippines and someone said those words and i dont understand...

Is there a place in Denver I can go to, like the Chamber of Commerence or something to talk to someone in person? I work in Kuwait and we are planning on getting married...either in Kuwait or the Philippines or possibly Colorado. Is there a difference between a fiance VISA and a regular VISA if she is already my wife? Would I be better off bringing her to the states as a finace? What is quicker...and who can I talk to while I am home in Denver? Thanks for your help...I hope to talk to someone in person if possible.

Well my name is Samantha, I am hispanic/asian(cuban/filippino) well i was able to get a chance to talk to my uncle in the philippines through IM but he has a hard type typing in english, I really want to learn tagalog, is there any site or cd i can buy which would help me learn? My mother dosent have any time to teach me I only know simple words in tagalog like like Yes, No, Body Parts(like eyes, or nose), I love you, Why, and The questions "What do you want to eat?" and "What do you want to drink?" Where can I learn more? I really want to be able to talk to him in tagalog so he feels more comfortable, and dosent have to struggle with words in english. Please help, and thank you.

Hey im 14. i wanna listen more to tagalog music. I was born in the Philippines moved to America when i was 5. I still know how to speak tagalog and i drifted away from tagalog music. I wanna listen to some. Can you give me some that are more latest. It really doesnt matter as long as it sound good. Fine with me. Salamat!

I understand a little bit of it, but when my mom takes me to the Philippines, I want to go around to modeling agencies over there. I wouldn't be going for acting, because I know you have to speak tagalog. But for example, in France, American models don't speak French, so in the Philippines do American models have to speak Tagalog, or is English also spoken in the agencies?

Here in the Philippines, if you can't speak fluently, some will treat you as if you are unintelligent and inferior. This causes a lot of inferiority complex among Filipinos. Some are afraid to speak in English, some just resolves it by speaking Taglish (Tagalog English).
I just want to add that Speaking english in my country is like a status symbol. That is why some perceive others who tries to speak the english language as social climbers.

Your US-born daughter wants to visit the Philippines with two of her American girlfriends (all over 18 yo). They're planning to spend a week in Boracay, a week in Baguio City and a week in Manila. This her first time to set foot in the Philippines and doesn't speak Tagalog at all (altho could understand a few words/phrases). Would you allow her? Why/why not?

Translate to ilonggo, kapampangan, bikulano, cebuano, waray and any other language here in philippines

What do women in the Philippines think about dating an American born Filipino Men?

I've heard that women in the Philippines like American men but what about the ones that are Filipino. I think that they would like us because we are Americanized, but at the same time have the same cultural values. But is it difficult to relate to another Filipino who doesn't even know how to speak tagalog?

I like the girls in the Philippines because of their natural beauty and how down to earth they are. Anyways, what do women in the Philippines think about dating an American born Filipino?

My daughter grew studied and graduated in Japanese elementary and senior high school. She can understand English a little and she wants to improve her English vocabulary and speaking ability. I encourage her to study in the Philippines because I believe we have an excellent teaching capabilities in our country and at the same time expose her to our Filipino culture, meet new friends and be able to practice her English socializing with them. Her conversation skill is quite weak. Her English speaking ability is very limited and her listening comprehension is quite low. She can catch words and sentences but with difficulty. The English lessons they have here is more on reading and writing. Her expectation is high and I don't want to disappoint her. Can she enroll in an English course only? If so, when and where can she be able to? Any other informations regarding enrollment would be highly appreciated . She wanted to go on March when the school term here ends. Please advise

I am just a 12 year old girl from U.S. & I'm trying to pursue my acting career when I go to the Philippines. I could understand Tagalog, but I can't speak it fluently, but when I speak Tagalog I don't have an accent at all. I am really good in acting drama scenes & many more. I'm just wondering when I go to the Philippines what should I do first so I could get discovered as an actor ?
I am pretty tall for my age, but some people say I'm short. I have white skin , but I'm pretty chinky. I could sing and play the piano by ear if you need more details. If you want know how to look , just email me.

Helo

My niece working in macdo fastfood in the philippines like to resign and she needs a nice resignation letter . Can any body draft me a nice resignation letter in the pilipino way. Pls type me here thanks
how to write a resignation letter
how to write a resignation letter

I'm half Filipino and I do not know how to speak Tagalog. My mother and father denied me learning when I was younger and I'm slightly envious of everyone who can speak fluently. I've been planning to go back to the Philippines for a while and I want to know a bit of the language before I go back, this will all be after undergraduate school...so I have about 3-4 years to go still.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there willing to help me learn through chat or email? It'd be greatly appreciated.

This pus.sy Martin tried to be smart with me by posting this...

oh, Jack H. would i love to have a private discussion with you. ever dated a filipina? ever traveled to the philippines? speak any tagalog at all? know anything about the culture or the country at all? have any idea what manny does in his private life? think anything he does over there is ever reported by anyone? know who that old dude in the suits who's always in the ring with him is? ever traveled to asia? ever dated a japanese girl? ever been to japan? ever boxed? know anything about politics? you are more naive than paris hilton.

And this was my reply...

@Martin: Actually, I am a Filipino. From Mandaluyong. And I have met Manny Pacquiao twice when he was still a struggling boxer more than a decade ago. We spoke briefly at the 'lugawan' in front of Mandaluyong City Hall Gym (Now is a Jollibee restaurant) where he used to train. He struck me as a very personable young fellow (I am 8 years older than him), a very cocky boxer back then but outside the ring, very amiable. If I sounded biased, it's probably because of this impression I have of him.

I wonder what he has to say about that? LOL

And Martin you asked.."speak any tagalog at all?"

Yes I do. And in the spirit of my country's anniversary of independence being celebrated today, let me say..

"WAG MO NANG SUBUKAN SIRAIN ANG DANGAL NG MGA PILIPINO. ISANG BALA KA LANG PUTANGINA KA!!!!"

Hi, I am a Filipino and I speak the native language of the Philippines (tagalog), and also English as my second language. Since 2008, I've been learning Hindi language by the help of Internet. A few months ago, I decided to learn Spanish also.

Can you give me some tips on how to learn quickly a foreign language?

According to this wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_in_the_Philippines
Spanish will once again be an official Philippine language.

is this true or not?

What do women in the Philippines think about dating an American born Filipino Men?

I've heard that women in the Philippines like American men but what about the ones that are Filipino. I think that they would like us because we are Americanized, but at the same time have the same cultural values. But is it difficult to relate to another Filipino who doesn't even know how to speak tagalog?

Anyways, what do women in the Philippines think about dating an American born Filipino?

I'm Filipino and i have never been to the philippines (I was born in the US). I might go next year, but i'm scared about what it be like because I can't even speak the language. I feel like I'm not a true filipino. My mom says they speak english over there, but you still have to know what they're saying.

Can anyone tell me about how your visit was? Were the people nice? And if you didn't know tagalog, was the trip still ok?