Comments on: English Usage in the Philippines and other Cultural Differences of Respect

By: Erika

Erika — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 06:59:51 +0000

I enjoyed reading this. it seems like you got really confused at first. but it’s good that somehow you managed to get used to it. I’m glad that you like the Philippines.

anyway, about the “dai” and “dong”, maybe it’s in the provinces of Cebu? because here in Manila, we usually call the street vendors or strangers “manang”, “manong”, “kuya”, “ate”… it depends on the age and gender…

we call the younger looking female vendor as “ate” and the older one “manang” and the same goes with the male… the younger one “kuya” and the older would be “manong”.

anyway, thanks for this article, I enjoyed this alot.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:06:26 +0000

Tropicalpenpals,
You are correct. Even words have been eliminated to lips pointing, eyebrows and finger wiggling.

By: Tropicalpenpals

Tropicalpenpals — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:57:19 +0000

Hi Bruce,
Its one of the main reasons im in the Philippines is that the family unit and respecting elders hasnt been abandoned.

Regarding the English language its also shortened words even in Cebuano from phrases to single words or like the eyebrow or lip gestures. Suppose its the laid back nature of the islands..lol

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:21:53 +0000

yez,bruce, blame them for that..LOL

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:36:02 +0000

Evelyn,

You got the traits from the Spanish? So I need to blame them for the ease Filipinos get angry? hahaha

By: evelyn

evelyn — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:49:42 +0000

yez,bruce,it is for respect.
because if you don’t call the elderly there some titles of respect,they are upset and sometimes get mad at you for not being respectful..hahaha
we got those customary acts from the spanish traits..as you know,spaniards have ruled the phil for more than 300 years..

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:27:15 +0000

Evelyn,
It took me years to understand first, second and removed. It also bothered me, a child of a cousin is a cousin, so it does not show age or family tree connections. Here also for respect, friend, children of friends call you Antie or Uncle. Our house helper calls me Uncle.

By: evelyn

evelyn — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:24:38 +0000

not only that,bruce, there we call the sons/daughters of our cousins as nephews n nieces..here they are called first cousins once removed

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:48:40 +0000

Steve,
I will email you so you have my email address. Thanks

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:47:09 +0000

Lhurey,
Thank you for the history lesson. I did not know where it started. Thank you also for visiting and commenting.