Wouldn't One Language Be Better

[Travis]

I often wonder if the whole country would advance much faster if they had just one language nationwide? I know Filipino is the national language but no other country speaks it & wouldn't the country be better off if it decided to use a language that many nations spoke such as Chinese Spanish or English cuz those are the top 3 languages according to http://en.wikipedia....native_speakers

[softail]

I get the impression that that is what they are trying to do, use English as the unifying language. There is a need for a single language rather than regional languages, to have so many different dialects in a single country is nothing but a problem. I am sure that if the United States had a multitude of different languages being spoken that it wouldn’t be as powerful country is it is. One reason that my wife doesn’t want to move to Cebu is because she is Tagalog and she doesn’t want to deal with the language problem. Doug and Sally

[Mr Lee]

I get the impression that that is what they are trying to do, use English as the unifying language. There is a need for a single language rather than regional languages, to have so many different dialects in a single country is nothing but a problem. I am sure that if the United States had a multitude of different languages being spoken that it wouldn’t be as powerful country is it is. One reason that my wife doesn’t want to move to Cebu is because she is Tagalog and she doesn’t want to deal with the language problem. Doug and Sally

First, I too think the country would do better and prosper if everyone learned English from birth, but then that is my language so of course I am bias but English and Spanish or even English and Chinese would probably help the country to prosper faster. Of course all just IMHO. Next, Doug you can tell your wife that is not a problem because I know of a number of people who moved to Cebu with their wives who spoke only English and Tagalog or Wari Wari and the wives get along just fine. I have even seen salespeople in stores that did not speak a lick of Cebuano because they came from Manila and my friend Mike S who now lives in Cebu and who used to be very active on this forum and others, married a lady who is in that situation and we talk all the time and see each other when we are in Cebu and his wife loves it in Cebu and gets along fine and while she has picked up some Cebuano, she said she really does not need it there, so do not let that be the only reason that you do not at least try Cebu. Cebu is surely not for everyone and most people would feel more comfortable in a country or area where their own language is spoken but if all types of foreigners can move to Cebu and other parts of the Philippines and survive on there own and not speak any of the language at all, then surely you and your wife will get along fine because both English and Tagalog is also pretty common everywhere in the city, but in some of the provinces and areas where some people may have not had much schooling then it might not be spoken much if at all, so worry not and just give it a try if you so desire. 

[Mik]

English is the language of business here. .

[Demeter]

English is used at schools as the medium of instruction. Children who go to learning centers are taught in English and are taught the English names of things. Most affluent parents start sending their kids to school as soon as they turn one year old; 1 Play Group 2 Toddler3 Nursery 1 4 Nursery 2 5 Kindergarten 1 6 Kindergarten 2 7 Grade1 (Elementary) Kids who started schooling early can understand English better than those who did not even attend Kindergarten. As to speaking the language, they don't have much opportunity unless the parents themselves speak to their children in English but that doesn't mean they couldn't speak the language. Being able to speak English very well is some kind of a social status symbol here. And Softail, I don't think your wife will have a hard time getting along with people here in Cebu. Filipino, being the national language, is spoken here too. It is one of the subjects taught at school and it's mandatory. Cebuanos are very flexible. If we see that the person we are talking to doesn't understand Cebuano, we can easily switch our tongues (LOL) by speaking Tagalog. Try coming here and you'll see that it's not much of a problem. Even kids will talk to you in Tagalog, if they really have to.

[Singers]

I often wonder if the whole country would advance much faster if they had just one language nationwide? I know Filipino is the national language but no other country speaks it & wouldn't the country be better off if it decided to use a language that many nations spoke such as Chinese Spanish or English cuz those are the top 3 languages according to http://en.wikipedia....native_speakers

Travelllller, :th_thsmilies-29057:English IS the language of International BUSINESS.French is spoken by Internatiol Diplomats and Froggies. (Whoever they might be!)Spanish is the fastest growing language in the Americas. 1st Language in Florida I have read somewhere but I cant confirm.?Chinese is the choice of language for trading with China but the fastest growing language in China is English.!I recently advised a (My Daughter she says) Chinese politicians daughter from Shanghai, MBA - S'pore, LLB -Bond Uni-QLD.on her next language course -- I advised Spanish she liked French -- she is now fluent in Spanish - her politician mother thought best for Internation trade with English first. Her English is perfect with a slight "brogue" ???.:mocking:People love to speak their "own" dialect. So be it. It is "comforting".The PI has to look at the most useful language to help prosper and IMO that is English - but not as "bastardized" by the Singaporian's .UK Tom