While Filipino is a standardized version of Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, it has been heavily influenced by Spanish, the language of the Spanish colonial period. This influence is evident in vocabulary, grammar, and even pronunciation.
Here's why:
* Spanish Colonization: The Philippines was under Spanish rule for over 300 years (1565-1898). This extensive period led to widespread adoption of Spanish as the language of government, education, and commerce.
* Linguistic Influence: Spanish loanwords became integrated into Tagalog, and the grammatical structure of Filipino was also impacted by Spanish.
* National Language Development: When the Philippines gained independence, Tagalog was chosen as the basis for the national language, but it continued to incorporate Spanish elements.
While English is also widely spoken in the Philippines due to American influence, Filipino remains the language spoken by the majority of Filipinos.