Some Interesting Facts About the Philippines and Tagalog Translation
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2014 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
The Philippines is a massive island nation situated in the Southeast Asian region in the Pacific. Tons of islands, different ethnicities, and a varying history make up the fabric of this amazing archipelago.
The Difference Between Tagalog and Filipino
People often want to know what the difference is between Tagalog and Filipino. However, asking that question is a bit of a misnomer because Tagalog is actually the basis for the Philippine national language.
Why Domestic Interpreting Services Are Important For Your Business
If you’ve been tasked with ensuring that your company’s message reaches non-English speaking markets, you’ve probably identified all the foreign countries you serve. But what about domestic markets? Addressing all your customers on the most user-friendly basis could require interpreting services for Americans whose primary or only language is not English.
In addition to 229 million primary English speakers, the U.S. is home to 35 million people whose first language is Spanish. There are majority Spanish-speaking centers in every major American city, and reaching those consumers means a 15% greater reach than English alone.
Tagalog Translation and English in the Philippines
Tagalog translation, especially into English, presents a fairy interesting language translation situation. This uniqueness comes from the fact that Tagalog, also known as Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines -- but then again, so is English.
That’s right, the vast archipelago known as the Philippines has two official state languages: English and Tagalog. This means that, even though not every Filipino speaks or has complete mastery over the English language, his or her chances of being exposed to the language are fairly high. That’s an important fact for professionals working with Tagalog translation to keep in mind.