Leo James English in his Tagalog-English dictionary defined the word “tayo” as follows: we “inclusive of person addressed”. It takes conscious effort to leap from “ kami” to “tayo.” In the course of our lives, we are used to using “we” in the sense of kami, especially when talking of family and friends. We make the transition to “tayo” when we become part of a group and speak of the aspirations and interests of the group. This is the sense in which the opposition speaks of “we the Liberal party” or we in the yellow cult. Learning to use “ we” in the sense of “tayo” is a choice.

Source: Manila Times December 31, 2017 17:37 UTC