Basically Filipino and Tagalog refer to the same thing. They are both languages use in the Philippines. Tagalog refer to both the country\’s ethnic group particularly in Luzon (northern part of the country) and it is also the name of the dialect they are using. Filipino on the other hand, is the official name of the country\’s native language, but when you talk about sentence construction, spelling and pronunciation most likely they are the same.

Filipino is the legal name of Tagalog and it was developed to avoid confusion and to create a division between the ethnic group and the language. For most Filipinos they prefer to call the native language as Tagalog to differentiate from other domestic dialects across the country. However, it is known as Filipino throughout the world to distinguish it from other countries\’ languages.

The Philippines already have their own native language before the Spaniards came and conquered the archipelago during the 15th century. The Tagalog name was created during the reign of Rajah Sulayman, the Datu of the Tagalog people who\’s kingdom lied near the ilog Pasig. They called themselves Tagalog because they lived near the ilog Pasig, that is “taga ilog”.

“Abakada” was the Tagalog alphabet during the ancient time. They have similarities with the English language of today however, they do not have letters C F J O P Q R V and Z. The alphabet is also pronounced as A BA KA DA EH GA HA I LA MA NA NGA PA RA SA TA U WA and YA. Instead, of just simply reading the letters.

Since the country has over 170 native dialects the congress has made several debates regarding what native dialect will be proclaimed as the country\’s national language. Studies was made, arguments arouse and they come up with an answer. Tagalog was made the official language of the country on July 14, 1936 for various essential factors, but it will be addressed as Filipino.

Filipino is a Tagalog-based language with some added elements and was further developed by the National Language Institute. To simplify the words, Filipino language have direct modification of English words, which is the country\’s second language. Like for example:

English Filipino Tagalog

electric fanelectric fanbintilador
dictionarydisyonaryotalatinigan

The Filipino alphabet have the same letters in the English alphabet plus the “ng” and “