Why am I learning Tagalog?

Let’s get straight to the point: I’m learning Tagalog because my wife is Filipino so I expect we’ll take many trips to the Philippines over the years, and I’d like to actually talk to people - not just smile, nod, and pretend I know what’s going on.

Also, we’re going to have a baby boy this year (wild!), and I want him to grow up speaking Tagalog - not just hearing it from my wife while I stare blankly into the void, pretending I understand what she’s talking about.

It’s not just “for love” - it’s for belonging

I’m not just learning Tagalog to impress people (although let’s be honest, that’d be a bonus). I’m doing it because language carries culture, and I want to be in that world - not hovering awkwardly outside of it.

Our son will be half-English, half-Filipino, and I want to be able to connect with his whole identity - not just the half he gets from me.

But also, Tagalog is REALLY hard

I’m sick of those ‘Become fluent in [insert language] in 90 days’ videos. Or the one where someone “surprises locals” with the three terribly pronounced memorised phrases.

It sets ridiculous expectations, and makes you feel bad when you don’t hit those unachievable expectations.

Then there’s me, multiple years into Tagalog and I’m probably just about at an intermediate level. This is why I’m choosing to reclaim the acronym LLM. No, not Large Language Model - I’m talking Language Learning Moron™, and I’m not talking about morón the Filipino snack! I’m talking moron as in stupid, that’s me, that’s the vibe here.

So here’s the deal

This blog is my journal. My attempt to make sense of it all - the wins, the failures, the wtf is “nakakapagpabagabag” moments. I’ll help you avoid my mistakes.

So, if you’re also learning Tagalog, a fellow Language Learning Moron™ - or just Tagalog-curious - stick around, you’re in good company.