This document is a foundational linguistic analysis published by the Institute of National Language, the government body established under the Philippine Commonwealth to select and develop the basis for a national language. Released in November 1937, it is one of the earliest official publications supporting the scientific study of Tagalog morphology, specifically its affixes. The paper fulfills a mandate to make a comparative critical study of Philippine affixes and presents a systematic framework for analyzing Tagalog parts of speech. Its publication immediately preceded the historic proclamation in December 1937 by President Manuel L. Quezon, who, upon the Institute's recommendation, declared Tagalog as the basis for the national language of the Philippines. The work by linguist Cecilio Lopez demonstrates the structure and potential of Tagalog to be a sophisticated national lingua franca, making it a critical item in the history of Philippine language planning and national identity formation.
Preliminary study of the affixes in Tagalog