INTRODUCTION
The Philippines has a very diverse language history as it has a very rich community. The
language of the Filipino people has been influenced by many other languages from different countries probably because of its geological location. The first island of the Philippine archipelago emerged on the surface for about 60 million years ago, according to the Tectonic Plate Theory (Malicdem, 2013). However, the Philippine islands were only inhabited by settlers at least 30,000 years ago. This was when the Indonesians migrated to some of regions of the country bringing with them the earliest language the country had encountered until the next millennia. After several centuries, the Malays and the Chinese have traded with the native settlers of the Philippines, which also happened to have introduced new sets of languages into the country. Later on, Islam was introduced and then, came the Spanish colonizers, the Americans and the Japanese (Nations Online, 1998). All the different cultures including the language the foreigners brought with them have carried out an influence to the Philippine languages in one way or another.
language of the Filipino people has been influenced by many other languages from different countries probably because of its geological location. The first island of the Philippine archipelago emerged on the surface for about 60 million years ago, according to the Tectonic Plate Theory (Malicdem, 2013). However, the Philippine islands were only inhabited by settlers at least 30,000 years ago. This was when the Indonesians migrated to some of regions of the country bringing with them the earliest language the country had encountered until the next millennia. After several centuries, the Malays and the Chinese have traded with the native settlers of the Philippines, which also happened to have introduced new sets of languages into the country. Later on, Islam was introduced and then, came the Spanish colonizers, the Americans and the Japanese (Nations Online, 1998). All the different cultures including the language the foreigners brought with them have carried out an influence to the Philippine languages in one way or another.
The language of a country is one of the best basis for the history of a nation. It can be
used to trace the origin of its people. Studies on the language of a certain place have led to the understanding of the culture and historical events of a country. The evolution of the language in the Philippines is a phenomenon that had started even before the earliest colonizers had set foot on land. In studying this, the Filipino people can have a glimpse of where they really come from.
used to trace the origin of its people. Studies on the language of a certain place have led to the understanding of the culture and historical events of a country. The evolution of the language in the Philippines is a phenomenon that had started even before the earliest colonizers had set foot on land. In studying this, the Filipino people can have a glimpse of where they really come from.
