Languages of the Philippines
| Languages of the Philippines | |
|---|---|
Map of the dominant ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines.
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| Official languages | Filipino (Tagalog) and English |
| National languages | Filipino |
| Regional languages | |
| Main foreign languages | |
| Sign languages | Philippine Sign Language |
| Common keyboard layouts |
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There are some 120 to 175 languages and dialects in the Philippines, depending on the method of classification. Four others are no longer spoken. Almost all are Malayo-Polynesian languages, whereas one, Chavacano, is a creole derived from a Romance language. Two are official (English and Filipino), while (As of 2017[update]) nineteen are official auxiliary languages. Including second-language speakers, there are more speakers of Filipino than English in the Philippines.
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino enumerated 135 Philippine languages present in the country through its Atlas Filipinas map published in 2014.
The indigenous scripts of the Philippines (Kulitan, Baybayin, Tagbanwa and others) are no longer used; instead, Filipino languages are today written in the Latin script because of the Spanish and American colonial experience. The Arabic script is also used in Muslim areas in some areas in southern Philippines.
The 1987 Constitution declares Filipino as the national language of the country. Filipino and English are the official languages, with the recognition of the regional languages as auxiliary official in their respective regions, including Aklanon, Bikol, Cebuano, Chavacano, Hiligaynon, Ibanag, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kapampangan, Kinaray-a, Maguindanao, Maranao, Pangasinan, Sambal, Surigaonon, Tagalog, Tausug, Waray, and Yakan. Spanish and Arabic are to be promoted on an optional and voluntary basis.
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