Filipinism

“Filipinisms” are English words or phrases resulting from the literal translation of Filipinos of English terms. They may not be necessarily grammatically incorrect but may not be comprehensible and causes confusion when applied in conversations with native English speakers.

    The term “Filipinisms” is something what we can’t call “proudly Pinoy” or consider as a plus factor in experiencing “more fun in the Philippines”. Filipinism is evolved from Filipino localization or acculturation of the English language which resulted to the creation of words, phrases or terms that in some way maybe grammatically incorrect or foreign native English speakers. In short these Filipinisms are colloquial English words and phrases that are unique in the Philippines.

    We have compiled a number of popular Filipinisms that will guide Pinoy employees of foreign-owned entities (and even students enrolled in international schools) when it comes to minimizing errors and being more familiar with how the Americans and Brits express the same thoughts in English for a more professional approach.

Some of the most common words that are considered a result of Filipinism are as follows:

FILIPINISM- WHY IT’S WRONG -IT’S BETTER TO SAY…

1.      Free subscription of- Preposition use -Free subscription to

2.      Come again?- Mistaken as a sexually explicit term (‘cum again’) -I’m sorry I didn’t get quite get that / Excuse me? / I’m sorry would you please say that again?

3.      It’s for free- Inappropriate word use (for) -It’s free. / It’s free of charge. / We’re sending it to you for free.

4.      Hold your line/For awhile…- Sounds absurd (Hold your line), Caller would expect a longer waiting time (for awhile) -Would you mind if I put you on hold for a second? / Please hold

5.      Open/close (for appliances, office equipment and lights)- It’s like referring to an item for repair -Turn on/off

6.      Yes, I’ll wait. (in response to “Do you mind waiting?”)- Confusing mainly because of the “YES” word -No, not at all. / No, I don’t mind at all.

7.      Anything?- Sounds vague -Is there anything I can do for you? / How may I help you?

8.      I’ll ask her an apology.- Confusing/illogical -I’ll apologize to her. / I should make an apology.

9.      We accept repairs.- Sounds unprofessional, too inviting -This shop repairs cars/cell phones.

10.  Tuck out- Term not recognized in American/British English -Untuck

11.  He was salvaged.- Misuse of the word “salvaged”, which means saving something from being destroyed -He was assassinated.

12.  She delivered her baby yesterday.- Subject-verb confusion -She had her baby yesterday. / Dr. Smith delivered her baby.

13.  Xerox (action word)- It’s a brand of photocopying machine -Photocopy

14.  Oppositor- Term not recognized in American/British English -Opposition member

15.  Hand carry- Term not recognized in American/British English -Carry-on luggage

16.  It’s traffic today.- Misuse of the word “traffic” -Traffic is heavy.

17.  Senatoriable- Term not recognized in American/British English -Senatorial candidate

18.  I failed in Accent training.- Inappropriate use of “in” -I failed accent training.

19.  My brother is taking up law.- Use of “up” – too casual -My brother is taking law. / My brother is studying law.

20.  Where are you studying?- Word choice (“studying”) is too casual -Where do you go to school? / What school do you go to?

21.  Pass by my office before you go.- Inappropriate word choice (“pass”) -Drop by my office before you go.

22.  We have one participant only.- Redundant term (“one only”) -We have one participant.

23.  I talked to her already.- Misplaced adverb, used as filler and “talked” sounds too informal -I already spoke with her. / I have already spoken to her.

24.  Actually- Commonly used filler, or used as an answer to replace “yes” -Word should be used to explain a justification of a different thought or a known fact – The boss is actually very lenient. / Nobody knows what actually caused the fight at the party.

25.  As per Paul, all request forms should be signed by him.- Incomplete sentence -As per Paul’s instructions, all request forms should be signed by him.

26.  Sewer- Term not recognized in American/British English -Tailor (male) or seamstress (female)

27.  Dine in/Take home (when ordering food)- Term misuse -For here/To go

28.  I felt kind of tired.- Inappropriate term (“kind of”) -I felt rather tired.

29.  As to the project…- Inappropriate term (“as to”) -Regarding the project…

30.  Thank you for that/this one.- Sounds confusing and impolite -Thank you for the information. / Thank you.

31.  Currently, I live there right now.- Redundant (“currently” and “right now”)
-Currently, I live there. / I live there right now.

32.  Could you repeat that again, please?- Redundant (“repeat” and “again”), inappropriate use of “please” in a sentence that is obviously a command
-Could you repeat that?

33.  Bottomless- Term not recognized in American/British English -Refillable

34.  C.R. / comfort room- Word not found in the English dictionary -restroom, powder room, bathroom, shower room, toilet

35.  I commute to work every day. Getting a car is just too expensive, not to mention fuel too.- Misuse of the word “commute”, which means to travel to a certain place on a regular basis regardless of the vehicle -I commute to work either by car or bus.

36.  Fall in line- Term not recognized in American/British English -Get into line / Line up / Make a line

37.  Fill up this form- “Fill up” means pouring something until completely filled
-Fill out this form

Other Examples:

Filipinism – Foreign

Next next week – Week after next
Cope up – cope with
Napkin – Tissue
Connected with – Associated with
Aircon – air conditioner or AC
Na – already e.g. I got “na” the results
Fall in line – Stand in line, form a line
Rubber shoes – Sneakers
Course – major

    Another good example of Filipinism is the phrase “major major” as popularized by Miss Philippines Venus Raj, 4th runner-up in Miss Universe 2010. While the term “major major” may not necessarily be grammatically incorrect, it cannot be understood by native English speakers. The term was a result of the Filipino habit of repeating words to put emphasis or increase superlative intensity of a word like “sobra sobra”, puti-puti, bait-bait, among many others. Hereunder are more examples of Filipinisms that are most commonly used in the Call center industry.

    Filipinism is not wrong nor is it a bastardization of English. In the call center industry, however, Filipinism needs to be avoided because the great majority of the clients of multinational call center companies are Americans. And Filipinism might obstruct understanding during communications, which is apparently a critical aspect of the call center operations. In short these mistakes are taken as a big no-no in business communication, especially by corporations with staff dominated by foreigners who are exceptionally fluent in American or British English (e.g. call centers, five-star hotels and international banks).

     The easiest way to avoid Filipinism in English communication is to identify the common terms or phrases that are used by Filipinos in English, which is not actually used by Americans and practice using the American terms for the same. For instance, use “toilet” instead of “CR”, pardon instead of “come again”, “to go” instead of “take-out”, and “tissue” instead of “napkin”, etc. Obviously, it would practically be impossible to think and identify all the filipinism that we use. In most cases, we might not even be aware of which terms belong to such category. Hence, conversing with your American boss, an American friend or an Americanized Filipino (someone who grew up in the states), would also help so that one would know what Filipino English sounded odd to them.

Another alternative way to avoid Filipinism is to actually learn American English communications by exposing oneself to the American culture. This can be facilitated by watching American films/ movies, reading American books, listening to American music or just chatting to some stranger in America via the Internet, among other means. This will help familiarize oneself in the culture of the American English language.

     The first time I learned about Filipinism, I was like "Holy Cow" because I can't believe that all this time I've been using most of them. I'm really thankful to my parents who Americanized me, because it was helpful as a fresh start not only for college but also in my life. America made me who I am right now and it also saved me from some of Filipinism words, I love America but I'm also proud to be a Filipino, after all everything has good in it.

Source/s:

http://americanenglish.ph/…/using-filipinisms-a-native-eng…/

http://www.callcenterbeat.com/filipinism-vs-american-expre…/

http://www.callcenterbeat.com/filipinism-examples/

http://www.callcenterbeat.com/how-to-avoid-filipinism/