Filipino

A lesson on diversity, script and language

Diversity of Languages
Depending on the Language expert, there are upwards of 150 languages found in the Philippines. Each of these has various dialects

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Luzon

Visayas

Mindanao

Language
The National Language: Filipino Based on Tagalog ( a Luzon-based Language) Contains adopted words from Spanish, English and other Asian languages English is an ofcial language in the Philippines used by both government and business

Filipino Alphabet
Filipino alphabet has 28 letters. Same as English but with 2 extra letters

Tagalog alphabet has 20 letters

Vowel Sounds

AEIOU All phonetic short vowel sounds

A is sounded as found in the word Bat E similar in Egg I similar in Bit O similar in Lot U similar in Umpire

Filipino does not use the long vowels (ie in Way, Bite, Vote, etc)

Try pronouncing these words

Kamay = Hand Kamao = Fist Ulo = Head Katawan = Body Hita = Thigh Paa = Feet Baston = Cane

Pronouns
I = Ako You = Ikaw Them = Sila He or She = Siya Him or Her = Siya

Note that Filipino is gender neutral when it comes to pronouns.

He is tall or She is tall both translates to Siya ay matangkad

Yes and No

"Oo" is yes "Hindi" is no

Deference in Language

By using the term Ho, we are showing respect or social distance from the person were talking to. (Equivalent to using Sir or Maam) But, there is also the superlative version: Po

Deference in Language
Who (with respect to yourself)
Your friends Your coworkers Strangers Your boss Parents, and Grandparents

Yes
Oo Oo Oho Opo Opo

No
Hindi Hindi Hindi ho Hindi po Hindi po

In Martial Arts
Your classmates Senior Ranking Classmates Junior Students but older than you Your Guro, Masters and GrandMasters Oo Oho Oho Opo Hindi Hindi ho Hindi ho Hindi po

Baybayin
Did you know that the Philippines has its own script? It is called Baybayin It existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish.

The script corresponded to the Tagalog alphabet of 20 letters

Modern Arnis terms in Baybayin

Arnis Guro

Lakan

Dayang

Useful words in Modern Arnis

(Aside from what you already know)
Tama = Hit or Correct( 2 meanings) Palo = Strike( with a weapon) Hataw= Swing ( similar in strength as a baseball swing) Sangga = Block Galaw = Move Palit = Change or Switch Kaliwa = Left Kanan = Right

When in Doubt, Tamaan mo!