No, Filipino’s first language is not Spanish. The language has evolved from the fusion of different native languages with elements of Spanish, Malay, and Chinese.
More detailed answer to your question
Filipino is a language spoken in the Philippines with over 100 million speakers. Its origins are a fusion of different native languages with elements of Spanish, Malay, and Chinese. However, Spanish was not the first language in the Philippines, and it was not the only language that influenced the formation of Filipino.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the majority of Filipinos speak Tagalog as their first language, followed by Cebuano, Ilokano, and Hiligaynon. Spanish was introduced to the Philippines in the 16th century when the Spaniards colonized the country. It became the official language of the government and the elite, but it was not widely spoken among the general population. The Spanish influence on the language of the Philippines was mainly lexical, with many Spanish words which have been incorporated into the language.
In 1935, the Philippine Constitution made English the official language of the country. This led to the widespread use of English in government, schools, and media. Today, Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, is the national language of the country, while English and Spanish remain as optional subjects in schools.
As the language evolves, its relation to the Spanish language remains a point of interest for linguists and language enthusiasts. In an article by The Philippine Star, Dr. Victor Paz, a linguist, and professor at the University of the Philippines said that “There are still quite a lot of words with a Spanish origin, however, most are so deeply entrenched in the language that Filipinos no longer associate them with Spanish.”
Interesting facts on the topic include:
- There are over 120 languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines.
- Filipino is the 3rd most spoken language in Canada.
- Spanish influence on Filipino can be traced in different aspects such as the country’s music, cuisine, and religious practices.
A table showing the top languages spoken in the Philippines and their speakers is provided below:
| Language | Number of Speakers |
|---|---|
| Tagalog | 24.4 million |
| Cebuano | 21.2 million |
| Ilokano | 7.7 million |
| Hiligaynon | 7.2 million |
| Waray-Waray | 3.1 million |
In summary, while Spanish has certainly influenced the language of the Philippines, it is not the first language of the country. The Filipino language is a unique blend of different languages that embody the rich culture of the Filipino people.
Response via video
The video creators explore the similarities and differences between the Spanish and Filipino languages, comparing vocabulary and pronunciation. They discover similarities in words like “pantalones” and “medias,” while noting differences like the lisp present in Spain Spanish but absent in Filipino. They also highlight the influence of other languages, like Arabic and English, on some Filipino words. In another section of the video, friends test their knowledge of Filipino and Spanish words, discussing their meanings and connotations. Through their discussions and banter, they explore the nuances of both languages and how they are used in everyday conversation.
Some additional responses to your inquiry
The Americans began English as the official language of the Philippines. There were many reasons given for this change. Spanish was still not known by very many of the native people.
In 1987, Spanish was abolished as an official language of the Philippines.
Interesting Facts on the Subject
Surely you will be interested
Is Spanish the first language in the Philippines?
Filipino and English are the Philippines’ two official languages. Filipino is a native language based on Tagalog; English has official status due to the Philippines being a colony of the United States between 1898 and 1946.
What is Philippines first language?
In reply to that: What Is Tagalog? Tagalog is a language that originated in the Philippine islands. It is the first language of most Filipinos and the second language of most others.
Is the Philippines considered a Spanish?
Answer to this: They changed our religions. The effects of Spanish colonization were wide-ranging and emphatic, remaining to this day. So, is the Philippines a Hispanic country? Quite clearly, yes.
Is Spanish and Filipino language the same?
Response to this: First of all, both languages are not related at all: Spanish is an Indo-European language while Filipino (Tagalog) is an Austronesian language. However Tagalog and several other Philippines languages have a large amount of Spanish loanword due to Spanish rule over the islands.
What language is spoken in the Philippines?
In reply to that: Situation of the Spanish language in the Philippines This article is about a general overview of Spanish in the Philippines. For the specific dialect of Spanish spoken in the country, see Philippine Spanish. Official copy of the "Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino", the Philippine Declaration of Independence
Did Filipinos speak Spanish during the Philippine Revolution?
Answer to this: During the Philippine Revolution, many of the Filipino patriots were fluent in Spanish, though Emilio Aguinaldo, the eventual first president of the Philippines, was more comfortable speaking Tagalog. The 1896 Biak-na-Bato Constitution and the 1898 Malolos Constitution were both written in Spanish.
What is Spanish Philippines?
As a response to this: Spanish Philippines is the history of the Philippines from 1521 to 1898. It begins with the arrival in 1521 of European explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailing for Spain, which heralded the period when the Philippines was an overseas province of Spain, and ends with the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in 1898.
Are Filipino words derived from Spanish words?
Response to this: Wikivoyage has a phrasebook for Filipino. Weedon, Alan (August 10, 2019). "The Philippines is fronting up to its Spanish heritage, and for some it’s paying off". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "…aa third of the Filipino language is derived from Spanish words, constituting some 4,000 ‘loan words’". Tupas, Ruanni (2015).
What language is spoken in the Philippines?
Situation of the Spanish language in the Philippines This article is about a general overview of Spanish in the Philippines. For the specific dialect of Spanish spoken in the country, see Philippine Spanish. Official copy of the "Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino", the Philippine Declaration of Independence
Did Filipinos speak Spanish during the Philippine Revolution?
During the Philippine Revolution, many of the Filipino patriots were fluent in Spanish, though Emilio Aguinaldo, the eventual first president of the Philippines, was more comfortable speaking Tagalog. The 1896 Biak-na-Bato Constitution and the 1898 Malolos Constitution were both written in Spanish.
What is Spanish Philippines?
Spanish Philippines is the history of the Philippines from 1521 to 1898. It begins with the arrival in 1521 of European explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailing for Spain, which heralded the period when the Philippines was an overseas province of Spain, and ends with the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in 1898.
Are Filipino words derived from Spanish words?
Answer: Wikivoyage has a phrasebook for Filipino. Weedon, Alan (August 10, 2019). "The Philippines is fronting up to its Spanish heritage, and for some it’s paying off". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "…aa third of the Filipino language is derived from Spanish words, constituting some 4,000 ‘loan words’". Tupas, Ruanni (2015).