Restore Our Filipino Language Even In Your Most Simple, Little Way
By asiacevillar
@asiacevillar (643)
Philippines
April 11, 2012 4:06am CST
Sometimes it's just so discouraging to see our fella Kababayans hardly pronounce even a mere, common Tagalog word especially when it's in its present progressive form or tense; More people in our locality nowadays prefers more on using an English word or phrase instead of using their own vernacular ( even if they're aware that their listeners or audience could not understand or appreciate what they are saying )which is very common in Media, say interviews, press cons, text messages, advertisements, inaugurations, school programs, senate impeachment trials etc.- are few examples which I think at times is killing, smothering and sacrificing our very own language.
I am cognizant and I must make it a point however, that over the years as the contemporary lifestyle and technology progresses, so is our language- The way we speak, read, pronounce and even the way we spell a very simple, common word has been obviously changed much worse, at the same time is compromised
. It may be because of the influences, stimulus a person esp. a child has around the family, or may be as a result of the lifestyle a person has or the nature of the job he's/ she's in.
When we are in our Elementary/ Grade school years, we had this occasion called "Buwan Ng Wika" if you can only remember, It was one good tool for us to further consolidate and solidify our identity as Filipinos through which we were able to develop our skills in Filipino Language. I hope DepEd would always continue holding such very important activities.
I hope we should at least sometimes make our part, it may be so unimportant to any of you reading this but let's just think that our language is becoming too "kawawa" na masyado. Instead of using an English phrase when it is not so necessary, pls use naman our very own language. There's absolutely nothing wrong of using the English language as it is also a very vital tool for us to compete to the communication 'mojos' of the world, We can always teach our kids (if you already have one) English language but let's not forget to also teach them more on our beloved "Wikang Pambansa".
I am cognizant and I must make it a point however, that over the years as the contemporary lifestyle and technology progresses, so is our language- The way we speak, read, pronounce and even the way we spell a very simple, common word has been obviously changed much worse, at the same time is compromised. It may be because of the influences, stimulus a person esp. a child has around the family, or may be as a result of the lifestyle a person has or the nature of the job he's/ she's in.
When we are in our Elementary/ Grade school years, we had this occasion called "Buwan Ng Wika" if you can only remember, It was one good tool for us to further consolidate and solidify our identity as Filipinos through which we were able to develop our skills in Filipino Language. I hope DepEd would always continue holding such very important activities.
I hope we should at least sometimes make our part, it may be so unimportant to any of you reading this but let's just think that our language is becoming too "kawawa" na masyado. Instead of using an English phrase when it is not so necessary, pls use naman our very own language. There's absolutely nothing wrong of using the English language as it is also a very vital tool for us to compete to the communication 'mojos' of the world, We can always teach our kids (if you already have one) English language but let's not forget to also teach them more on our beloved "Wikang Pambansa".2 people like this
5 responses
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
11 Apr 12
I think bilingualism should be taught to children even when they are young. The kids can learn both equally. The problem is that Filipino society frowns upon or makes fun of people who cannot talk straight and proper English. This pressures parents to give preference to teaching English to their kids rather than Filipino. I lived all my life in the Philippines and I didn't see anything wrong with raising English-speaking children. I thought it made the kids cool or something. Little did I know that I was giving in to the pressures of society. Now I have been living in North America for almost a year. I see so many Chinese, Indian, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Japanese, etc children (elementary age kids) who speak their native language fluently to their families but can speak English just like native English speakers. I feel sad that I don't see that many Filipino kids who are that way. Indeed even abroad, Filipino language is second best. I resolve that when I have kids, they will be bilingual so that they are equipped to face globalization at the same time they are grounded to their Filipino roots.
@asiacevillar (643)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Hi jonnifc,
So true and I agree with you on that. Like what I've said, there's nothing wrong with teaching or exposing our kids the English language even at their very tender age but to also not to forget to teach them more also with their very own language, I see and met a lot of people who, were more adept to English rather than with their native language. I mean there should be a balance between two certain things esp. when one is still living within the walls of his/her country.
Thank you for your response. Have a nice day!
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Sad to know that Fil-ams of this generation are generally english speakers and doesn't know their language any more. though some are teaching them tagalog still, but if it's not required they will have a terrible time studying them. anyways, it's a choice whether this generation would choose to remember the language or not
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
I would understand if the kid grew up in a different country. Maybe it's acceptable that they don't know how to speak any Filipino dialect. But if the kid was born, grew up and still living in the Philippines, it's unforgivable. The parents should be to blame for that because they allowed it to happen. The home is the first school of a child, and the parents the first teachers. I hope the next generations realize how important their native language is. Take care y'all!
@einerb (97)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
I agree with you my friend even in a discussion like this I feel guilt inside me. Sana maging International Language na ang Wikang Pilipino para sila naman ang mag tiyaga mag post sa ating lenguahe. Tayo nga sa ating bansa, hindi rin masyado mag ka intindihan dahil iba-iba rin ating lenguahe. Kita mo pag mag type tayo sa computer in tagalog, kada salita may corrugated line sa baba dahil wrong spelling daw.
@asiacevillar (643)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Well, I understand what your point is but unfortunately your proposition in my view is just too unfeasible and impossible. I'd say that it is "Malabo pa sa tubig kanal" na mapasunod natin sila sa hangarin nating maging international 'tong lenggwahe natin. When especially in some other countries especially here in Asia, where english language is rarely even heard or used then how much more is the Tagalog, our wikang pambansa?
. I think you ponder on that, pal.
Nevertheless, I still appreciate your view. I hope people must realize my point now, I'm now becoming like a preacher here.
.
Thank you for responding. Have a nice day!
. I think you ponder on that, pal.
Nevertheless, I still appreciate your view. I hope people must realize my point now, I'm now becoming like a preacher here..
Thank you for responding. Have a nice day!@einerb (97)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Well taken my friend, we've truly seen the point na malabo talaga because of our western mentality. May iba mahilig mag pa "as if". We just have to hope na mas dumami pa ang maging concern at mapagmahal sa ating wika, as what some says it is the trend now.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
A lot of people seem to forget that one can master two languages without having one suffer. I am one of those and have been the brunt of so many jokes when I was in grade school because they thought I couldn't speak in Tagalog because on the first day of school (I was a transferee) I spoke to my teacher in pure, straight English. Even now, I cringe and want to bash people's heads when I hear them speaking with an American accent when they are just buying from a convenience store.
I hope that schools can revive the love for tagalog or any dialect that we have. I remember there was a year that it was proposed that all textbooks would be written in tagalog. It was just shelved because whoever wrote the drafts seemed to go overboard and wrote it in the old style tagalog that is quite hard to understand.
Your discussion reminds me of our national hero, Jose Rizal who said "Ang di magmahal sa sariling wika, ay parang banyaga sa sariling bansa" (whoever doesn't love their own language, is like a alien in their own country). I guess even after years of being liberated from our colonial masters, there is still a trace of that colonial mentality in us that anything foreign is better.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Hello asiacevillar, Speaking tagalog is not a problem i always speak tagalog since i rarely speak that much 
. what would really make me proud is when i speak my native tongue or pangalatong since my origin is Pangasinan, both of my parents were. in fact, i dreamed of learning other natives language's so that you won't feel being backstab but actually understand them backstabbing you
(joke) it would be a great honor and proud to learn at least two to three Filipino dialect.
. what would really make me proud is when i speak my native tongue or pangalatong since my origin is Pangasinan, both of my parents were. in fact, i dreamed of learning other natives language's so that you won't feel being backstab but actually understand them backstabbing you(joke) it would be a great honor and proud to learn at least two to three Filipino dialect.@asiacevillar (643)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Good. But that takes a very long, treacherous way to run especially if you're only isolated to the area where you grew up. You have to live at least a year in a different place with a different culture and where a different dialect/language is spoken, for you to get familiarized with them and to be adept to the rudiments of their language.
Thanks for responding to this discussion. Have a nice day ahead!
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
11 Apr 12
I have always taught my kids Tagalog even when they were still little children. They also speak the Ilocano dialect. I have never taught them Englishh unlike most parents nowadays who would insist in their children talking in English but the kind which we call as "broken English" or Taglish. I may be guilty sometimes of speaking in Taglish but it is very rare. Me and my children can speak fluent English but we never do so not unless there are foreigners who don't really understand our language. I still prefer to talk in Tagalog as I am more able to express my thoughts in the native tongue. It is good to be able to converse in English and write in English but we are in the Philippines so let us do it the Filipino way.
@asiacevillar (643)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Hi yahnee,
I totally agree with your thoughts and I commend you for being that kind of mom to your children. Actually it was my humble proposition that "when it is not that necessary, let's use our own language". We often see it on television esp. in news where a reporter/interviewer asks using Tagalog but the interviewee responds in English, well there's nothing wrong with that instance but I hope they should also at least try to realize to use our own language when speaking in English is not really necessary.
