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regionalresolutionextinctionfederalismelectiontyrannysilenceletterrevivalsolfedsolfed2storymediatagalizationlocalEnglishschoolmulticulturalismregionalismhopemartialsakarWelshRandyDavidJedPensarProfessor AgcaoiliJoeMax|
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| Let's Use Our Own Local Languages |
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In a message dated 8/27/2004 11:52:47 AM Pacific Standard Time, Tigerway@optonline.net writes: So that regional peoples will not be left out, the local language or dialect should also be promoted not as an elective but as required study during the first five years of school. In the fifth grade, Tagalog and English should begin to be taught, with the grammatical structures compared to the local language that has been studied in the first four years. Thus, the first four years of local language study is used as a foundation for the additional language studies in Tagalog and English, and won't be wasted. In high school, all local language studies should be dropped, with English and Tagalog taking primacy. By then, the local language will have gained momentum, and will not be forgotten by the local populace as folks grow old. Subjecting the people to three languages to study appears onerous. But, it will improve student's brains. So, just do it. English may have to be introduced earlier than that since the learning process especially in languages is faster at a younger age. However, it should just be taught as a subject then and not as medium of instruction for all subjects. The medium of instruction in the primary grades should be the local (indigenous, that is) language. Concurrently, there should be a subject in the curriculum for it along with such traditional subjects as the "three R's" from first grade through high school where it should be a required course and then in college as an elective course outside its own department if it has one. In this case, while we are able to conserve our languages, we are at the same time able to "intellectualize" them by uplifting them from their "street language" level to Shakespearean or Athenean stature. This is the ideal concept I have, though it sometimes fluctuates in that depending upon my mood on a particular moment I am either constrained or carried away as regards when to really wind up local language instruction - something which has not even materialized and is yet a pipe dream to all of us in UNT. Regarding Tagalog, I think since it is now well-known all over the archipelago by people 50 years old and younger, owing to almost a century of its being taught in schools and then further strengthened by radio and television, it should now be withdrawn from the schools in areas where it is not indigenous. It is time for our "captive nations" (permit me to borrow Danny Martinez's expression) to be released from the clutches of another language. Even the U.S. gave us independence once it felt that we were ready for self-government. In the same way, now that we already know Tagalog, we feel that it should also be withdrawn and make way for local language learning. The issue here in DILA is not just whether it should be English or Tagalog in schools. Rather, it is whether we can have our own local languages replace them both, at least in the primary grades. Actually we don't need a national language to achieve unity. We are already united as Filipinos in more ways than one. A national language just makes some people lose their appetite for nationalism. Without a national language, all peoples in the Philippines would become more harmonious in their relationship with one another. What do you think of this, folks? CabaleRn |
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