Page 218 - Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines

Magkaiba ang disenyo ng mga blusa namin.
Our blouses have different designs.

Mga Tala Sa Kultura

Bargaining is often expected when shopping in stalls, popular markets such as
Divisoria, and tiangges (open markets inspired by traditional markets). Although
department store prices are usually fixed, most stores will allow customers to
bargain. This is called tawaran, and interestingly, the root word tawad also means
to forgive. When we want to bargain, we can say, “Puwede ho bang tumawad?”
(Can I bargain?) or “Patawad naman po.” In another context, the latter sentence
can also be translated into “Please forgive me” although it would actually be
phrased differently: “Patawad na po” (literally, Forgive [me] already).
The word tawad appears to have these two meanings in early dictionaries. In the

1860 work by Juan Jose de Noceda and Pedro de Sanlucar, Vocabolario de la lengua
tagala : compesto por varios religiosos doctos y graves (Manila: Imprente de
Ramirez y Gibaudier), the word tawad (spelled as tauad) is listed as the Tagalog
equivalent of both concertar regateando (to haggle or to barter) and desagraviar
(to make amends). In A Tagalog English and English Tagalog Dictionary, 1904
(Manila: Imp. de Fajardo y comp.) by Charles Nigg it is defined with the following
meanings: bid, immunity, and pardon. It also appears to have these two meanings in
Pedro Laktaw’s Diccionario Tag’alog-Hispano published in 1914 (Manila: Islas
Filipinas). These dictionary entries indicate that this indigenous word probably has
always had two meanings.
What does it then say about Filipino culture when you have the same word for
bargaining and for asking forgiveness? I believe that we need to contextualize this
word and how it is used in phrases and sentences with other phrases that convey
respect and politeness. For example, “Mawalang-galang na ho,” which translates
to “excuse me” but literally means “Without respect...”. Or the more formal
“Ipagpatawad po ninyo pero...” which also means “Excuse me,” but also literally

means “Forgive me but...” Thus, by using the same word for “forgive” in
bargaining, Filipinos wish to convey respect and formality.

Dayalogo: Pagsusukat ng Damit (Fitting a dress)

Read the following dialogue. Then try to make a role-play later using this as your

guide. Remember that the conversation approximates everyday Filipino in the
Metro Manila area. Thus, although some words in English may have translations in
Filipino, for exampe “sukat” for “size” they are taught but may or may not be used
in your dialogue practice.