Reaction Paper on
“Should we even have a ‘national language’ in the first place?”
Lian Jane Reyes
I agree with his view because Tagalog is not superior to other Philippine
languages, and we should be better at recognizing these differences. Why not
keep developing and conserving our regional language, which our ancestors
used and where we have a story and history to share, rather than create a
national language? But before that, what does the Filipino language exactly
mean?
The term "Filipino," used in the 1973 and 1987 Philippine constitutions
to designate the country's "national language," whether de jure or de facto, is
irrelevant. Filipino has now come full circle to prick the nation's conscience
and lay its burdensome responsibility at the feet of our national planners and
the academic community. Since 1935, "Pilipino" (or "Filipino," its more
acceptable twin) has been flung around in the conflicts between proponents
and opponents as each side shoots off volleys of linguistic know-how or even
garbage, as the case may be, while the great majority watched with joy or
disinterest. So, instead of a single "national language," the Philippines' endemic
languages, including Tagalog, should be recognized as treasured regional
languages. And every indigenous Philippine language must be recognized as
the regional lingua franca.
I agree with his point of view because he makes several valid points,
such as the multiculturalism and acceptance of the Philippines. In other
words, inclusive nationalism triumphs over heritage and bloodlines in favor of
freedom and other principles and ideals that serve the people. Multiculturalism
is not Regionalism; but rather the acceptance of differences rather than their
rejection.
“Should we even have a ‘national language’ in the first place?”
Lian Jane Reyes
I agree with his view because Tagalog is not superior to other Philippine
languages, and we should be better at recognizing these differences. Why not
keep developing and conserving our regional language, which our ancestors
used and where we have a story and history to share, rather than create a
national language? But before that, what does the Filipino language exactly
mean?
The term "Filipino," used in the 1973 and 1987 Philippine constitutions
to designate the country's "national language," whether de jure or de facto, is
irrelevant. Filipino has now come full circle to prick the nation's conscience
and lay its burdensome responsibility at the feet of our national planners and
the academic community. Since 1935, "Pilipino" (or "Filipino," its more
acceptable twin) has been flung around in the conflicts between proponents
and opponents as each side shoots off volleys of linguistic know-how or even
garbage, as the case may be, while the great majority watched with joy or
disinterest. So, instead of a single "national language," the Philippines' endemic
languages, including Tagalog, should be recognized as treasured regional
languages. And every indigenous Philippine language must be recognized as
the regional lingua franca.
I agree with his point of view because he makes several valid points,
such as the multiculturalism and acceptance of the Philippines. In other
words, inclusive nationalism triumphs over heritage and bloodlines in favor of
freedom and other principles and ideals that serve the people. Multiculturalism
is not Regionalism; but rather the acceptance of differences rather than their
rejection.
