Last night, an interesting discussion arose during a dinner with friends from Cebu Blogging Community. A friend shared his recent experience traveling with a group from Luzon, highlighting the significant communication challenges he faced. This story resonated deeply with me because I also struggle with speaking Tagalog. It's not that I'm not fluent in the language; it just feels like my tongue is always twisted when I speak it.
Growing up in Cebu, Cebuano has always been our primary language at home and in our community. Despite my mother coming from Luzon, Tagalog was never a part of our daily conversations. This linguistic environment shaped my language skills, leaving Tagalog as a subject I encountered mainly in school during Filipino classes.
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The Philippines is home to a rich tapestry of languages, with over 120 spoken across the archipelago. This diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for communication. According to World Mapper, about 28% of the Philippine population speaks Tagalog as its first language, primarily in central and southern parts of Luzon. The rest of the population, including most Cebuanos, primarily speak other languages.
Why Cebuanos Don't Speak Tagalog: The Root of Our Cebuano Preference
As a Cebuano who has traveled extensively within the Philippines, I've identified several reasons why many hesitate to speak Tagalog. While these observations are personal, they might resonate with other Cebuanos as well.
Geographical Isolation: The Island Province Factor
Cebu's status as an island province plays a significant role in our linguistic landscape. Unlike provinces in Luzon or Mindanao that share land borders, we're separated from other regions by sea. I think this geographical isolation has helped preserve our language, limiting the natural infiltration of Tagalog into our daily lives. In contrast, areas like Mindanao, known as a melting pot of languages, have more linguistic diversity due to their interconnected geography.
I often joke around with my friends in Mindanao, asking if I could borrow their tongues because of how smoothly they can transition from speaking one language to another. One time in Davao City, I was so amused by a security guard in a mall who spoke to three people, effortlessly switching from Tagalog, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon with no struggle at all, and adapting the right accent for each language too.
Language Dominance: Cebuano's Widespread Use
Cebuano (also known as Sinugbuanong Binisaya) is not limited to Cebu; it's the primary language in Central Visayas and parts of Mindanao. While Tagalog forms the basis for the national language Filipino and is predominantly used in Luzon, it has a much smaller presence in Cebu and other Cebuano-speaking regions. This leads me to...
Limited Exposure: The Rarity of Tagalog in Daily Life
In our day-to-day lives, we typically use Cebuano or English. Tagalog is rarely used outside of formal education settings or when consuming national media. This limited exposure contributes significantly to a lack of fluency and comfort with the language among many Cebuanos.
This is also why a lot of people often say Cebuanos are good in English, or at least speaks better English than Tagalog. In Cebu, English often takes precedence over Tagalog as a second language. We use English extensively in schools and workplaces, making it our go-to language when we can't express ourselves in Tagalog. This preference for English over Tagalog is not about being "Englisero" or "Englisera," but rather a practical choice based on our linguistic environment and educational system. Because why would we want to struggle with Tagalog when English serves as a more practical and widely understood alternative in our daily interactions?
A Matter of Cultural Pride
We, Cebuanos, are proud people and we have a deep affection for our language. We often feel a sense of pride in speaking Cebuano and may perceive Tagalog as a representation of Manila-centric culture. This strong emotional connection to our mother tongue makes it difficult to switch to Tagalog, even when necessary. The richness of Cebuano, especially in expressing humor and emotions, is something we're reluctant to give up.
And I want to emphasize the humorous aspect because Cebuano humor is quite different, and people often fail to grasp it. Our love for wordplay and double entendres often leaves non-Cebuano speakers puzzled.
Perceived Discrimination: Fear of Mockery
There exists a perception among some Cebuanos that speaking Tagalog can lead to being mocked or stereotyped. This sentiment is reinforced by cultural differences and humor that do not translate well between languages. Many prefer to communicate in their native language or English to avoid these potentially negative experiences.
We are known for our "gahi" (hard) and "pinabusdak" (abrupt) intonation, which starkly contrasts with the "malambing" (gentle) sound of Tagalog. This fundamental difference in speech patterns makes it challenging for our tongues to adjust when conversing in Tagalog.
National Language Politics: Historical Marginalization
The establishment of Tagalog as the basis for the national language (Filipino) has historically marginalized other languages like Cebuano. Many Cebuanos feel that this decision does not reflect our linguistic heritage and contributes to feelings of alienation from the national identity. This political aspect of language use further reinforces our preference for Cebuano.
Media Representation: Underrepresentation in National Discourse
The dominance of Tagalog in media and popular culture often excludes Cebuano narratives. As Cebuanos, we may feel underrepresented or misrepresented in national discourse. This lack of representation in mainstream media further solidifies our preference for our native language over Tagalog and contributes to the linguistic divide.
This is why I am a huge supporter of Cebuano shows, literature, and media that aim to promote our language and culture. We need to have platforms that showcase our narratives and experiences, allowing us to celebrate our identity and share it with the rest of the country.
The Way Forward: Embracing Linguistic Diversity
If you've reached this far, I just want to point out that this sentiment is not about rejecting Tagalog but rather about feeling more at ease and confident in our native language. We don't harbor ill feelings towards Tagalog speakers. Our reluctance to speak Tagalog stems from the challenges we face in mastering a language that's not part of our daily lives. Many of us make sincere efforts to communicate in Tagalog when necessary, even if it means speaking in broken, hesitant phrases.
Despite these challenges, many Cebuanos, including myself, continue to make efforts to improve our Tagalog skills, recognizing its importance for better communication with fellow Filipinos from other regions.
To my fellow Cebuanos, I ask: Do you relate to these experiences? And to our Tagalog-speaking countrymen, we hope this provides insight into our perspective. Let's work together to foster understanding and appreciation for all Philippine languages, creating a more inclusive linguistic environment for everyone.
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