Status of the Filipino Language in the Global Setting

By
Rajik C. Rasul

The status of the Filipino language is changing through time. This is happening as
a result of our exposure to other foreign languages through contacts and
relationships of Filipinos with foreigners. It is a fact that our Filipino language is
influenced by other foreign languages. Language experts have been studying and
monitoring this development. This development regarding the evolution of the
Filipino language should be considered a positive one since it enables us to
communicate and relate better with foreigners. In addition, it is only natural for
our language to evolve because of the many influences that impact our language.

Because of globalization, the Filipino language has been spread in most countries
of the world. Major factors contributing to this development are the millions of
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who, for decades, have worked abroad, and
the migration of millions of Filipinos to countries that allow it. Since Filipinos are
found in every corner of the world, the Filipino language can be considered a
global language. Filipinos can be found in the US, Canada, London, France,
Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore and many others.
Anywhere in the world, a non-Filipino will call you “Kabayan”. In Saudi Arabia,
many Saudis know the words “kuripot”, “adobo” or “pansit”. As a consequence of
Filipinos living in many countries, the Filipino language now includes borrowed
words from other languages. We now have Taglish i.e. combination of English and
Tagalog. We also have words borrowed from Spain, China, Japan, among others.

The Filipino language evolves through time and for the better. This is because we
borrow and adopt words from other languages which will make it easier for us to
communicate and establish good relations with non-Filipinos. The Filipino
language is now a second language of many foreigners as a result of marriages,
friendships and business relations. It is possible that the Filipino language will
reach the status of French, Chinese or Japanese as a second language.