Professional English to Filipino Language Translation in the Philippines

The art of translation is integral to effective communication and building bridges between people across the globe. It is a catalyst for sharing knowledge, preserving cultural heritage, and developing a global economy. To achieve all of these, accomplished and adept professional translators and translation services are crucial. With Lexcode, you will surely fulfill your translation goals. Lexcode bridges the gap between citizens of different nations and their respective languages with its multitude of highly skilled translators and up-to-date linguistic resources. 

Languages are integral to a country’s identity, and all countries have an official national language. But a single country could still be teeming with different languages and their unique dialects, akin to having dozens or even hundreds of voices in one body. Now, how can different bodies with their unique voices communicate with one another? That is where translation can come into play. It turns languages into bridges and opportunities to make new connections, and it makes a country’s voice clearer and easier to understand. 

According to Filipino writer Galileo Zafra, translation can foster the development of a national language. Translation becomes a means through which Filipinos can possess foreign knowledge, experience, and ideas in their language. In a multilingual society such as the Philippines, translation is also an avenue that incorporates the contribution of different cultures, reflected in their distinct tongues, into the national consciousness and the international knowledge base. 

The Storied Complexity of the Filipino Language

Filipino is the national language of the Philippines and is designated as an official language along with English. It is a standardized variation of the Tagalog language, an Austronesian regional language widely spoken throughout the country. Through the decades, the Philippine government took steps to initiate and sustain the use of the Filipino language as a medium of official communication and language of instruction in the educational system. However, the number of languages spoken in the entire country is more than the sum of the languages of the countries that once conquered the islands (Spain, the United States of America, and Japan). The Philippines is home to more than 180 languages, thanks to it being one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries—a melting pot of cultures and identities if you will.

When the Spaniards first came to a certain archipelago from the Old World and christened it “the Philippines” (in honor of King Philip II), its people had no national language. It was composed of various tribes and island communities from different regions, each with its distinct language. The Spaniards then launched a campaign for these people to learn Spanish and make it the island nation’s official language, among other things. They did this while also learning about the Philippines’ different languages, so the local languages remained distinct. Even with a bit of Spanish in the mix, the Philippines’ many languages survived the many events the centuries would bring. In the nineteenth century, a growing number of well-educated Filipinos gained mastery of the Spanish language. Eventually, these enlightened men and women would lead a successful rebellion against the Spaniards, who had rejected any notion of letting Filipinos govern themselves. Spanish was still the official language of the Philippines, and some citizens were not happy about that, as they believed that the national language of a newly liberated Philippines should derive from one of its local languages. Thus, Tagalog was chosen. 

However, Tagalog was not officially deemed the national language because representatives from parts of the Philippines that did not speak Tagalog raised objections to it. The tongue was the first choice because it was, and still is, spoken by those who lived close to the government capital. With that said, the national language had to be acceptable to all the masses, and Tagalog didn’t fall into that category at the time. Ideally, the country’s national language should have incorporated the other languages spoken throughout the country. In 1937, a compromise was made when the Institute of National Language was assigned to remove the regional variations of Tagalog and streamline them. Come 1959, schools in the Philippines were required to teach a standardized version of Tagalog—Pilipino. By the early 1970s, over half of Filipinos could now regularly communicate in Pilipino. Then, efforts were made to develop the Philippines’ national language further following former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos’s dream of a “New Society.” After he was deposed, the 1987 Constitution changed Pilipino to Filipino, reflecting how the more contemporary citizens preferred many Spanish and English-derived versions of words. The Filipino alphabet now included Western letters (c, f, j, x, and z). Thus, Pilipino became the former name of the Filipino language.

Tagalog y Filipino and the World

In centuries past, Tagalog was just another regional tongue. Now, Tagalog is spoken by about two-thirds of native speakers of the population of the Philippines and is regarded as a national language. You could be asking yourself, “If Filipino is the standardized version of Tagalog, then aren’t they the same language?” Yes and no; Tagalog is a Filipino language, but it is not Filipino, the national language. Tagalog is simply the basis for the national language, and it is also a rich language on its own, with different variations across different regions.

It is not a surprise that Filipino also has a considerable number of Spanish and English loanwords (adopted words). Spain occupied the Philippines for over 300 years, while the United States of America colonized the island nation for almost 50; this was more than enough for Filipinos to assimilate the two languages. Other languages also make up Filipino, such as Chinese and Malay. Regardless, although most Filipinos can understand English even if they don’t necessarily speak the language, learning the native tongue is a must to connect with them. If you don’t have time to learn, then translation is the key.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle you will have in communication is translation, as many native Filipino words are difficult to translate to other languages. More than 100 million Filipinos live in the Philippines, and another 12 million Filipinos live and work abroad. With a population that comprises more than 1.4 percent of the world’s population, the Filipino language presents a golden opportunity for any business to expand its reach. And to effectively penetrate the Philippine market, Filipino translation is essential. 

Need Professional Tulong (Help) with Translation?

It is important to note the history and evolution of the Filipino language for it to be properly decoded and get the best translation results. Filipino is one of the more unique languages as it uses foreign loanwords quite heavily, making it one of the easiest (and best) languages to learn. But because of its interesting linguistic quirks and peculiar words, it is somewhat difficult to translate literally. Search engine translators can be disastrous at translating Filipino terms, and free translation services are not always reliable because of the variation in dialects. However, professional English to Filipino translation services are sure to be up to the task. Accuracy is important when it comes to translation services, and conveying your messages effectively is important for your audience. This is why professional translation with Lexcode is necessary. 

The Internet is a big part of people’s daily lives, especially Filipinos, who are some of the most active online users in the world. Because most of the population are Internet users these days, the popularity of the Filipino language makes it an ideal language for localizing and finding new markets to expand one’s business regardless of size. Therefore, it becomes essential to seek professional English-to-Filipino language translation, especially if you are moving to the Philippines for work or otherwise. With help from our professional English-to-Filipino translators, you can maintain  assured clarity and quality of your intended message and eliminate the risk of misunderstandings.

Bridging the Gap Between the World and Filipino Markets

It’s not surprising that Filipino is a language with significant global reach and impact, which is why professional English-to-Filipino translation is integral to bridging the world and Filipino markets. Luckily, Lexcode offers language translation services that can help you connect with your Filipino-speaking audience. Allow our dedicated localization managers to handle your translation needs and update you on the process from start to finish. For two decades, Lexcode has been helping businesses expand their global presence by increasing their reach and engagement with international audiences. Lexcode transforms content through translation, localization, and copyediting. We utilize a global network of 5,000 linguistic resources. Lexcode also helps trade shows, conferences, and summits succeed by providing high-quality translation and interpretation. Our people, named Lexcodians, work from our offices in South Korea and the Philippines to serve our clients from around the world.

Our professional English-to-Filipino translation services cater to various needs, from translating legal documents to helping immigrants understand the local language. If you have prepublished written works you want translated from Filipino to English or vice versa, Lexcode’s translation services will work for you. Such services are needed in situations or sectors wherein a professional-level translation is necessary. 

Examples of those situations or sectors include:

Business/Financial

Translation of the Philippine languages into the English language and vice versa is needed, especially for international businesses wanting to enter the local consumer market in anticipation of the country’s rising middle class. Businesses can also form connections with Filipino consumers through cultural references in their advertising, for example. Professional English-to-Filipino translation services can provide clear and syntactic translations imbued with cultural relevance and sensitivity.

Culture/Entertainment

Films, music, literature, and numerous other art forms go beyond global bounds when effectively translated to reflect international cultures and sentiments. Today, the global media and entertainment industry generates more revenue than ever, with streaming services paving the way for international documentaries, films, and television shows to be made available to Filipino viewers. Translated music and literature from around the world also allow international artists to gain more exposure and royalties.

Diplomacy

In this day and age, international diplomacy is the most vital element of a sovereign nation’s external affairs. Therefore, world leaders and diplomats must present their ideas and thoughts in a language they are comfortable with. These ideas and thoughts must be translated in an expressive, culturally sensitive, yet accurate manner. If not, it can lead to serious diplomatic issues between two or more nations.

Legal

Accurate English-to-Filipino translation of law-related paperwork is needed in the Philippines to enhance access to justice. This applies to documents used in hearings or trials, such as trial transcripts. With our professional English-to-Filipino translation services, you can rest assured that your legal documents will be without error.

Understanding the history of and learning about the national language of the Philippines can help naturalize interaction and save you from unnecessary embarrassment, especially when you are involved in ordinary dealings with Filipinos from different regions. It brings about a more positive climate in the country and the colorful members of its population, who are known for their sensitivity and diversity. Being able to communicate in Filipino with professional translation services would be readily appreciated by Filipino consumers.

All the talk of a globalized society today can only be understood and acted upon if people from different nations and cultures make an effort to understand each other. In the most literal sense, understanding each other presumes the use of a common language. However, with the proper translation service, any language can be a common language.