Tagalog Style, Aim for Readability
Tagalog style depends on the audience. More and more Filipinos speak and listen to Tagalog in their own way, and it's always a challenge to know exactly
- Which style is more idiomatic
- What is the best affixation for a word or phrase
- Which stress and pronunciation is correct for a specific part of speech
- How appropriate is the adaptation of an expression by a sub-group and/or a milieu
On the one end, texting has made the user of Tagalog less demanding in terms of correct spelling, grammar and usage. Broadcast media's use of Tagalog is almost always unchallenged. Publishers of genre literature come up with books that use Taglish quite liberally.
On the other end, Tagalog books from the academic presses are quite a challenge to read. Some people from the academic institutions nominate what should belong to the 'canon' of Philippine literature. Their preferences go beyond merely celebrating Tagalog per se, but whether the end product in this language "will stand the test of time." Genre books are often excluded in this canon. Yet, more Filipinos read books using popular Tagalog.
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In between are the students who are the primary readers. When they are tasked to read Filipino literature in Tagalog, the books have got to grip them at once, or they will have a less fulfilling reading experience.
This means that there's a huge challenge out there for writers of Tagalog books or literature on how to effectively use this language.
For starters, how about
- Aiming for readability, without neglecting the aural quality?
- Using the more popular choices, but being vigilant about which exact words, expressions and figures of speech to use?
- Striving for originality with full respect to structure?
- Relating with the readers with sensitivity and aiming for quick rapport?
Some examples here are choice picks for their excellent Tagalog style. What is your pick?
