On English in the Philippines?

I can not give you a Philippine answer; but being an American I am very impressed that people in the Philippines can speak english so good. I wish I was as talented to speak both languages as most of you are. I appreciate that you can speak both languages. Thanks.

I think the difference lies in the timing. Sometimes, there really isn't a need to speak in English but Filipinos choose to speak with it nonetheless. WHY? Because especially in public, they feel speaking in English makes 'em look elite (don't take my word for it though). Bottom line is, where attention goes, energy flows - it doesn't matter if people start getting annoyed by it or look as if "wow, that person really must be smart." At least for me, it's really about our colonial mentality. Hope that made sense.

Oh, I was told by a friend to speak in English or Taglish (Tagalog-English) because it was so "bakya" (uncool) by speaking in fluent Filipino. I responded that the Filipino language is beautiful and that we, as Filipinos, should be happy to use our national language. He told me that I might be mistaken for an activist. I said that what others may think may be so, but it is about time that we promote the usage of our language. Personally makes it a point to speak in as pure Filipino as possible in daily conversations, including telephone calls. It sometimes throw the people answering the calls off-balance. They generally had grown accustomed to it, although there are still instances when it is necessary to repeat myself in order for them to realize that they are hearing it in Filipino. I don't mind others speaking in English as there are some kababayans who need to speak in English in order to be understood. For example, some people who grew up in Visayas are more comfortable in English than in Filipino. But I do find it annoying if my family uses English in order to assert their "suavity". For example, they speak with accents galore amongst us but once we are in Manila, they suddenly become English speakers. Aba!

Sometimes Filipinos' natural capability to speak English fluently gets overused. They use it even in highly unnecessary circumstances. Even a conversation which best requires Tagalog still transpires in English. So the best way to answer this question is this: Minsan talaga "OA" lang mga Pinoy. Pwede naman Tagalugin, mag-I-Ingles pa. Pero minsan nmn okay lang gumamit ng Ingles, especially when the situation calls for it. Just for formality's sake, I guess. Wag lang tayo maging OA talaga. May oras at lugar para sa paggamit ng Tagalog at Ingles, dapat marunong tayo mag discern. Yun lang.

Ako, Ako, I know the answer to your question! :p "If you call someone and ask the receiver in Tagalog, she or he might rudely respond but if you speak in English, the receiver will be calm and as polite as possible.".... ksi, there's a tendency to assume that the caller at the other end of the line who talked in English has either 1) achieved a higher education, OR 2) belongs to the upper class of the society therefore more powerful, than the reciever who do not speak english ordinarily so the reciever gets intimidated, ergo, obliged to be polite. Only people who had good education OR people from the upper class, through exposure, are the only ones who can speak english very well. Ako I don't get annoyed when people speak in english in public for as long as they can speak fluently, wag lang trying hard like "you know naman eh, um, yeah..." natututyuan ako ng dugo dun. And do it in appropriate places, cuz it would be funny if you're making a bargain in english with some vendor in a wet market "manong it's expensive make it lower na lang"... unless you're Kris Aquino :p

people think that if you have your own language then use it instead of using other languages. it's like when you're in the philippines,speak in the vernacular because everybody understands you and use english ony when there is a need to do so. something like that..=) tenk u po for the thumbs up..=) ay..followed by a thumbs down pala un..=)

If you speak English, maybe the person on the other end of the telephone will think that you are a rich "kano". That is, you are American. They seem to like and hold "Kanos" in high esteem. I don't know why some Filipinos become annoyed when other Filipinos speak English, except that they will not usually speak English among themselves. They are not accustomed to doing so. Therefore, maybe they are simply more comfortable when a Filipino simply speaks their native language. I am never annoyed if I hear any Filipino speak English in public.

I am not Filipino, but an American ex-pat living in Asia. I think it is great that people in the Philippines can speak both languages (their native tongue and English). I'm glad my girlfriend speaks English to me because I don't understand much Tagalog. People everywhere like to "show off', and one way to do this is to speak English. I think Tagalog sounds very melodious. Filipinos should be proud both of their native language and their ability to speak English. When two Filipinos are speaking, I think they should use their native language; when there is another person present, they should speak English. It may be wrong, but often I wonder what people are saying (about me??) when they privately speak a language I cannot understand. There is a Korean comedian who has a routine: "There the people who speak three languages - they are called trilingual. There are people who speak two languages - they are called bilingual. There are people who speak one language - they are called Americans!".

Oy! I personally agree of your opinion about filipinos who getting annoyed or "natatawa" if you speak english (barok) to them... Filipinos like anyone must face the fact that "ayaw lang nila napapahiya" right?