Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Today, Aug. 1, marks the start of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month). Theme for this year’s observance is “Filipino at mga katutubong wika: Wika ng kapayapaan, seguridad at ingklusibong pagpapatupad ng katarungang panlipunan” (Filipino and indigenous languages: Language of peace, security, and inclusive implementation of social justice).
The theme mirrors society’s aspirations amid a world of complexity and turmoil. It also responds to the constitutional mandate: “The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, and promote research for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other languages.” (Article XIV, Section 9, 1987 Constitution of the Philippines)
Parents of today’s millennial generation could recall how, during their grade school and high school days, they were required to “speak English” while inside classrooms and on campus. They also attended classes in Pilipino as part of their elementary education curriculum.
Fast forward to the post-EDSA People Power era and the enactment of a new Philippine Constitution in 1987 that, aside from the foregoing, enunciated two salient aspects of national language policy:
First: “The national language of the Philippines is Filipino: As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages… “
Second: “(T)he Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.”
Evidently, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, the lead agency in propagating the national language, recognizes the urgency of preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage by creating heightened consciousness of the indigenous languages. Moreover, the KWF is calling attention to the imperative of protecting and safeguarding our indigenous peoples as their inclusion in the mainstream of economic opportunity is an essential element in promoting peace and social justice.
Heightened awareness of Filipino cultural diversity gives impetus to integrate our indigenous peoples into the mainstream of society. Upgrading the quality of basic education is a vital foundation of this endeavor. In the new K-12 curriculum, Mother Tongue–Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) complements and reinforces the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and Indigenous Learning Systems (ILS). For gains to be sustained, the ranks of indigenous educators also needs to be increased, given the evident lack of educators who are proficient in the language of the indigenous peoples.
Finally, some observers deplore the widespread use of Taglish (combination of Tagalog and English) and slang in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms as these tend to dilute the propagation of Filipino and the mother tongues of our indigenous peoples.
Language is the essential element in communication. Broader and deeper understanding of the origins and culture of our indigenous peoples facilitates engagement. Respect for the diversity of their culture and mores enables them to reach out and link arms with other sectors of Philippine society. Communication enables the bridging of societal divides and builds social cohesion.
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
