There is no single or general language of the Filipinas extending throughout the islands; but all of them, though there are many and different tongues, are so much alike that they may be learned and spoken in a short time. Consequently if one is learned, all are almost known. They are to each other like the Tuscan, Lombard, and Sicilian dialects of Italia, or the Castilian, Portuguese, and Galician in Espana. Only the language of the Negrillos is very different from the rest, as, in Espana, is the Vizcayan [_i.e._, Basque]. There is not a different language for each of the islands, because some of them--as, for example, Manila, and even Panai, which is more than four hundred leguas smaller--contain several languages; and there are languages each of which prevails in several islands. In the island of Manila alone, there are six different tongues; in Panai, two; in some others, but one. The languages most used, and most widely spread, are the Tagal and the Bisayan; and in some regions of the Pintados another tongue is also prevalent, called Harayan. The Tagal embraces the greater part of the coast and interior of the islands of Manila, Mindoro, Luban, and some others. Bisaya is in use through all the islands of the Pintados, although in some of the villages therein the Harayan is spoken. Of all these languages, it was the Tagal which most pleased me and which I most admired. As I told the first bishop, and, afterwards, other persons of dignity in the islands and in Europe, I found in this language four qualities of the four greatest languages of the world, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Spanish: it has the abstruseness and obscurity of the Hebrew; the articles and distinctions in proper as well as in common nouns, of the Greek; the fulness and elegance of the Latin; and the refinement, polish, and courtesy of the Spanish. Examples of all these characteristics may be seen in the "Ave Maria" done into Tagal; and, as that is a short prayer, and more easily understood than the others, I will place it here with its explanation in our vernacular, and with word-for-word equivalents. In this way may be seen the idioms and characteristic expressions of this language which will please some readers, and furnish information, both useful and curious. _The "Ave-Maria" in the Tagal language_ Aba Guinoo Maria matoa ca na. Hail Lady Mary, joyful thou now, Napono ca nan gracia, full thou of grace; An Panguinoon Dios na saio. the Lord God is with thee Bucor can pinagpala sa babain lahat. especially, thou blessed among women all. Pinagpala naman ang iong anac si Jesus. Blessed also be thy son Jesus. Santa Maria ina nang Dios Holy Mary, mother of God, Ipana languin mo cami macasalanan Let us be interceded for by thee, us sinners ngayon at cum mamatai cami. Amen, Jesus. now and when shall die we.