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richie
Lv 7
richie asked in TravelAsia PacificPhilippines · 8 years ago

Why can't Filipino media use proper words?

I was just watching a news program. The anchor reported that Angelina Jolie got rid of her "dalawang dibdib". As far as I know, people only have one "dibdib", women have two "suso".

So why can't they say "suso", it's in serious news context anyway. Would that word really offend people? Are Filipino viewers not mature enough to hear those words and automatically think of sex? Even in medical programs, doctors would talk about reproductive organs as "ari" and not as "titi or puke". In the US, everyone can say 'vagina' or 'penis', even in comedy programs.

I know that Filipino culture is conservative, but are those words (even when used in the right context) a question of morality and not propriety?

5 Answers

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  • Qwerty
    Lv 5
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I agree with you. I think it is time for them to use the proper words to describe in exact, direct meaning. Dibdib use also like nag isang dibdib means marriage which if you are not really born or grown up to the language it may get confusing. Nothing wrong to say dalawang suso because suso is the right word for breast, it may sound rough because of sexual image but it's time to be open minded to the sexual nature. People take the word suso seriously as a dirty word & rude , some perceived it in malicious perception. If the word suso, puke, titi, bulbol are use openly in public conversation without malice an d in un-offensive way like in medical term translation, science , or in funny joke in media then when people always heard it, they become immune to the words, they just laugh at it without malice.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    It's all a matter of affect. It can be no longer that the Filipinos hate Tagalog. We're merely adapting. Spain colonized the Philippines for 300 or so years. It is unimaginable to not pick up whatever from them and of course be in contact with any of them if we did not be trained their language. Also, a few of our words were of english foundation. So what? Many languages are influenced through one other nation's language. Identical to how many English words come from Latin. Even some words the English(British) language has some French origin. Boondocks is an English word influenced with the aid of the Tagalog phrase "Bundok"

  • 8 years ago

    the reason is because people want to sound formal and sort of professional. reporters and anchors want to be professional so diverting the real word works for them and they dont want to be penalized by the MTRCB for improper language either. So they say things like ari ng lalaki instead of titi or ari ng babae for puke. dibdib is used for suso, but "nagpapasuso" is still okay as it pertains to breastfeeding. to sound professional, they say nag-dadalang tao instead of buntis, nagtatalik instead of kantutan. see the difference if you use the words that we would normally use, it wouldn't sound professional on TV

  • ?
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    yes.. Suso would be offensive. It would be the last term to use. There was this song, titled Ang Ganda Mo, and it features such words as suso and although it's popular to pedicab drivers, it received negative response in general. I think the lyrics of the song were altered to make it sound more acceptable to the public.

    The Philippines is that conservative. Only pokpoks ruin this image.

  • 8 years ago

    Pretty sure "suso" is equivalent to "boobs" or "tities". As well as "tite" and "puke" are equivalent to "d*ck" and "p*ssy", which are obviously considered profane language.

    I don't think there are proper Tagalog words to describe a penis or vagina... That's odd. I never really thought of that. Just like there aren't any decent words in tagalog to describe homosexual men and lesbians. Both "bakla" and "tibo" sound disparaging. How sad.

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