English and Filipino (formerly spelled Pilipino), which is based on Tagalog, are the nation’s official languages. About 55 % of the population speaks Filipino. English is commonly used for educational, governmental, and commercial purposes. Spanish, formerly an official language, is spoken by a dwindling minority of the population. About 80 languages and dialects are spoken in the islands, of which about 10, belonging to the Austronesian language family, are of regional importance.