Tagalog is the official language (along with English) of the
Philippines, and is the mother tongue for roughly 25% of its
population. Over half of all Filipinos speak Tagalog as either a
first or second language.1
Tagalog, also known as "Pilipino" or "Filipino," is part of the
Austronesian language family, and, according to the Encyclopædia
Britannica, is "notable for its complex verbal system, including in
particular three distinct types of passive
constructions."2 Tagalog has been greatly influenced by
several other languages such as Spanish, Chinese, English, and
Arabic.
From among the estimated 70 different dialects and languages
spoken in the Philippines, Tagalog was chosen as the national
language (the wikang pambansâ) by the National Language Institute
in 1937 and made official when the Philippines regained
independence from the United States in 1946. Since that time,
Tagalog has been mandatory learning in schools throughout the
Philippines, and as a result has slowly become the language of
choice for literature, radio and television, and governmental
functions.3
Below are some brief but important facts about the country of
the Philippines and its people.
Capital: Manila
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Government Type: Republic
Population: 86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
Internet Country Code: .ph
Internet Hosts: 38,440 (2002)
Internet Users: 3.5 million (2002)
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Government Type: Republic
Population: 86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
Internet Country Code: .ph
Internet Hosts: 38,440 (2002)
Internet Users: 3.5 million (2002)
For additional demographic information on the Philippines and
its people, please see the following links:
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html
1 "Philippines" Encyclopædia Britannica from
Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.
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2 "Tagalog language" Encyclopædia Britannica
from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9070907
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[Accessed December 14, 2004]
3 "Tagalog language" Encyclopædia Britannica
from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9070907
[Accessed December 14, 2004]
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9070907
[Accessed December 14, 2004]
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