Day 90 of 160

Day 90: Filipino for Diplomats

At a language school in Makati that teaches Filipino to embassy staff, Ramil (A), who is applying to be a teacher, finishes a polished answer for the director, Carmen (B), and a senior teacher, Carla (C).

How to study this lesson 3 steps
  1. Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
  2. Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense.
  3. Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Tagalog. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.

Dialogue

Audio for this lesson is coming soon. For now, read the dialogue and its translation.

Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day

  1. A

    Sa kabuuan po, ang wika ay susi sa pag-unawa sa kultura ng isang bayan, at ang pagtuturo nito ay isang dakilang tungkulin.

    In sum, language is the key to understanding a nation's culture, and teaching it is a noble calling.

  2. B

    Napakahusay po. O, tapos na ang formal part, relax lang po kayo.

    Excellent. Okay, the formal part is over, you can relax.

  3. A

    Grabe po, Ma'am, kinabahan talaga ako kanina. Halata po ba?

    Wow, Ma'am, I was so nervous just now. Did it show?

  4. C

    Medyo po. Wala pong nagsasabi ng "dakilang tungkulin" kapag relaxed.

    A little. Nobody says "noble calling" when they're relaxed.

  5. B

    Ito na po ang totoong test: paano ninyo tuturuan ang isang diplomat na umorder sa karinderya?

    Here's the real test: how would you teach a diplomat to order at a carinderia?

  6. A

    Simple lang po: ituturo niya ang ulam at sasabihing, "Ate, isa nga po nito, saka isang rice."

    Simple: he points at the dish and says, "Ate, one of these, please, and one rice."

  7. C

    'Yan po mismo ang hinahanap namin! Hindi "Nais ko pong bumili ng isang platong adobo."

    That's exactly what we're looking for! Not "I would like to purchase one plate of adobo."

  8. B

    Carla, mukhang may bago na tayong kasama. Welcome po sa team, Ramil!

    Carla, looks like we have a new colleague. Welcome to the team, Ramil!

  9. A

    Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtitiwala. Joke lang, salamat po talaga, Ma'am!

    I am deeply grateful for your trust. Just kidding, thank you so much, Ma'am!

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