Tagalog

A language of Philippines

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Wikang Tagalog

Autonym

Tagalog

User Population

20,000,000 in Philippines (2005 UNSD). Ethnic population: 22,500,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 25,132,430 (as L1: 24,970,430; as L2: 162,000).

Location

Widespread; Manila, most of Luzon, and Mindoro.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Classification

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog

Dialects

Lubang, Manila, Marinduque, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Puray, Tanay-Paete, Tayabas.

Typology

Prepositions; no articles; ergativity; tense and aspect; comparatives; 16 consonant and 5 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Abellen Ayta [abp], Bogkalot [ilk], Calamian Tagbanwa [tbk], Caluyanun [clu], Central Bikol [bcl], Central Bontok [lbk], Central Sama [sml], Eskayan [esy], Inagta Alabat Agta [dul], Isinay [inn], Kalagan [kqe], Kalanguya [kak], Kamayo [kyk], Limos Kalinga [kmk], Lubuagan Kalinga [knb], Majukayang Kalinga [kmd], Manide [abd], Northern Bontok [rbk], Rinconada Bikol [bto].

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1905.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Tagalog

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage. Tagalog script [Tglg], no longer in use.

Other Comments

Used as basis for the development of Filipino [fil]. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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American Samoa

Language NameTagalog

User Population

1,200 in American Samoa (2015 World Factbook).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Australia

Language NameTagalog

User Population

111,000 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Austria

Language NameTagalog

User Population

5,580 in Austria (2003 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Bahrain

Language NameTagalog

User Population

39,500 in Bahrain (2013).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language NameTagalog

User Population

431,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Location

Scattered, in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cayman Islands

Language NameTagalog

User Population

1,850 in Cayman Islands (2015 World Factbook).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Hong Kong

Language NameTagalog

User Population

190,200 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 28,200 in China–Hong Kong (2016 census). L2 users: 162,000 (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Macao

Language NameTagalog

User Population

19,000 in China–Macao (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Taiwan

Language NameTagalog

User Population

149,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census). Based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cyprus

Language NameTagalog

User Population

9,110 in Cyprus (2013 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Denmark

Language NameTagalog

User Population

12,500 in Denmark (2019 census). Based on immigrant population.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Finland

Language NameTagalog

User Population

4,010 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Germany

Language NameTagalog

User Population

23,000 in Germany (2017 census). Based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Greece

Language NameTagalog

User Population

9,800 in Greece (2011 census). Based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Guam

Language NameTagalog

User Population

36,000 in Guam (2015).

Location

Widespread.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Filipinos have been resident on the island since the 17th century. Today, the vast majority are US citizens and permanent residents (2019 Guampedia).

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Ireland

Language NameTagalog

User Population

5,850 in Ireland (2006 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Israel

Language NameTagalog

User Population

20,000 in Israel (Leclerc 2018a).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Japan

Language NameTagalog

User Population

499,000 in Japan (Leclerc 2013).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kuwait

Language NameTagalog

User Population

176,000 in Kuwait (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Libya

Language NameTagalog

User Population

12,600 in Libya (2016).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NameTagalog

User Population

29,000 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Northern Mariana Islands

Language NameTagalog

User Population

15,500 in Northern Mariana Islands (2005 UNSD).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Filipino

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Filipinos comprise the largest ethnic group in the Northern Marianas Islands workforce (1998 Pacific Islands Report).

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Norway

Language NameTagalog

User Population

22,800 in Norway (2019 census). Based on immigrant population.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Oman

Language NameTagalog

User Population

89,900 in Oman (2017).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Palau

Language NameTagalog

User Population

2,230 in Palau (2015 World Factbook).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Qatar

Language NameTagalog

User Population

115,000 in Qatar (2016).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saudi Arabia

Language NameTagalog

User Population

929,000 in Saudi Arabia (2018). Based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Tagalog speakers only came in large numbers in early 1970s to fill jobs offered by Saudi enterprises, especially in construction, auto industry, medical professions, engineering and domestic workers. It could be problematic whether Filipinos will ever establish a permanent, on-going stable presence in Saudi Arabia, despite their large population.

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Singapore

Language NameTagalog

User Population

155,000 in Singapore (2018 J. Leclerc).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Spain

Language NameTagalog

User Population

32,600 in Spain (2017 census). Based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Arab Emirates

Language NameTagalog

User Population

303,000 in United Arab Emirates (2016).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameTagalog

User Population

72,200 in United Kingdom (2011 census). England and Wales 70,300, Northern Ireland 1,910.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameTagalog

User Population

1,610,000 in United States (2015 census). Ethnic population: 2,650,000 (2010 census).

Location

California: all major cities; Hawaii; Illinois: Chicago area; New York: New York City area; Nevada: Las Vegas area.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Most also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ethnologue

Tagalog

Primary tabs

A language of Philippines

Also spoken in:

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