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Filipino English
I am compiling a list of English words used by Filipinos where the meaning has been changed. Some changes are minor and some are almost opposite in meaning.
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Fancy – Fake
In Filipino use it is generally only understood as an adjective and is often used to refer to cheap imitation jewelry. “That is just fancy”
When used an adjective in English meanings includes highly decorated, executed with skill, superior quality, excessive or exorbitant price or a special breed.
Salvage – To Murder someone
In Filipino use it is used as a Verb to describe murder of someone as in he was “He was salvaged”
In English it usually refers to the recovery of something after it has been subject to some loss such as recovery of a ship, crew or cargo after a shipwreck. It is the act of saving imperiled property from loss or refers to the property to be saved.
Slang – Any accent not understood by a Filipino
If someone has an accent or pronounces a word in a way that is not understood by a Filipino they will say “your so slang”.
In English slang are actual Words and expressions used by a particular culture or sub-group that are not considered part of the formal language. At the very least slang is not appropriate for formal occasions and is often vituperative or vulgar.
Note: It is ironic that everyday Filipino language is full of slang terms which make it harder for us to learn. A Filipino will not accept the English definition of slang.
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Commute – The act of taking public transportation
In Philippine English, the act of commuting means to exclusively take public transportation.
In general English usage however, to commute refers usually just to people travelling to and from something, in many cases to their workplaces.
I’d like to know meaning the word “besos dako dako dako”
“Tomboy” in the West means a girl who acts like a boy or who enjoys doing boy-type activities or sports. It generally has nothing to do with the young girl’s sexual orientation. In the Philippines, “tomboy” generally means “lesbian”.
“Slippers” in the Philippines are what we would call “flip flops” in N. America. What we call “slippers” in N. America are generally just used in the house and would not be suitable to wear outside the house.
I think the simpler way is to admit they dont have a solid grasp of English as they keep claiming. If the meaning has changed, then its not really English is it?
I’ve been here for years and never heared of the salvaged or slang usages you mention. Mostly what I get is they have few personal posessive pronouns because the culture has little use for privacy and personal space. To them, theres nothing wrong with looking in wiondows or telling everyone whats in your trash or things that modern cultures to be vulger intrusions on privacy. They have a strong family tribe mentality and their language reflects that. Mine, hers, theirs, he, she…. no direct translation.
They understand the words but the grammar is regularly wrong, I’m not talking about western high school ‘regulation & rules’ course requirements but more like we understand it because of intuition and reasoning of higher problem solving cultures that give us the ability to understand the meaning even when its said all wrong.
. It fair to say they understand English, but have poor usage grasp… especially in the call centers they brag about so dearly. The reason we moved those here instead of India is because of Indian accents – but their understanding is leagues better than a Filipinos. We simply have trouble understanding through their accent.
Filipinos are reversed – an accent we have little trouble with but the grasp is all fouled up.
Cebuano, on the other hand – we get those people here that speak Cebuano and relativly good English, but cannot have a conversation with other Filipinos outside of Cebuano. One business owner here flat out says she can barely understand Tagalog because it was so different.