Here's why:
* Affixes: Tagalog makes extensive use of prefixes, suffixes, and infixes to create new words and modify existing ones. A single root word can be built upon with many affixes.
* Compounding: Tagalog freely combines words to form new ones. This can lead to incredibly long sequences of morphemes.
Examples of long Tagalog words:
* "Kakaiba-iba" - This word, meaning "different, various", uses reduplication for emphasis and is considered long by many.
* "Magpapakabait-baitan" - This word, meaning "pretending to be good", uses reduplication and multiple affixes.
* "Pinagkakaguluhan" - This word, meaning "confused, in a state of chaos", demonstrates the extensive use of prefixes and infixes.
Ultimately, it's more accurate to say that Tagalog allows for the creation of extremely long words through its flexible morphology. It's less about finding a definitive "longest word" and more about appreciating the language's ability to express nuanced meanings through complex word formation.