Google Pilipinas, In English, Please

Google Pilipinas, In English, Please

Whenever I try to use Google from a computer other than my own, I am momentarily jarred when I see the Tagalog instructions. This is because the default setting for Google Pilipinas is to display the website in the Filipino language setting. I always have to change the settings to use Google Pilipinas in English. Nothing against Tagalog, but it's a strange transition given that most other websites I visit are in English.


It's a minor quibble - many users barely notice the difference because there are already very familiar with the Google interface - but it raises the question of why Tagalog is the default langauge. You may answer: because Tagalog is the national language, of course. Whatever the logic behind the decision may be, I'd much prefer the default language to be English.

For some reason, formal Tagalog just seems much more complicated than when used in real life. Consider the following Blogger warning for age-restricted content:

I know I'm not the best Tagalog speaker around, but that's a tough read. I shudder at the thought of having to read a technical manual written in Tagalog.

Of course, other Filipinos might prefer their websites to be written in Tagalog. I have no quarrel with that. I'm glad the localization benefits them. But what if a lot more Filipinos feel the same way that I do? Wouldn't it be beneficial to have English as the default language setting, if that's the case?

So what say you? Do you prefer Google websites in English or Tagalog? Sound off in the comments section below.

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