Historical Context:
* Spanish Colonization: For centuries, Spanish was the official language of the Philippines. This created a linguistic divide, with the elite speaking Spanish and the majority of the population using various regional languages.
* American Occupation: After the Spanish-American War, English became another official language, further fragmenting the linguistic landscape.
* National Identity: The desire for a unified national identity became increasingly important as the Philippines moved towards independence. A common language was seen as a crucial element of national cohesion.
Linguistic Factors:
* Tagalog's Preeminence: Tagalog, spoken in the region around Manila, emerged as the most prominent and widely understood language among Filipinos. This was due to its role as the language of commerce and education in the early 20th century.
* Evolution of Tagalog: The language itself underwent significant changes, evolving into a more standardized and codified form. This process was led by prominent Filipino writers and intellectuals.
* "Pambansang Wika" (National Language): The 1937 Constitution recognized the need for a national language and tasked the Institute of National Language (Surian ng Wikang Pambansa) with selecting one. They chose Tagalog, with the intention of making it accessible to all Filipinos.
Political Considerations:
* Post-Independence: In 1946, the Philippines became independent. The newly formed government recognized Filipino, based on Tagalog, as the national language.
* Unity and National Development: The government saw a national language as a tool to promote unity and cultural development. It was envisioned as a language for education, government, and the arts.
Evolution of Filipino:
* Formalization: Filipino has continued to evolve and be formalized over time, incorporating elements from other Philippine languages to make it more inclusive.
* "Filipino" vs. "Tagalog": While based on Tagalog, "Filipino" has become a distinct language, reflecting the diverse linguistic heritage of the Philippines. It's now officially recognized as the language of government, education, and the media.
Overall: The choice of Filipino as the national language was a deliberate effort to address the need for a unifying language and to promote national identity. It's a dynamic and evolving language that continues to reflect the rich linguistic diversity of the Philippines.