Filipino language scraped; Korean language to be introduced?
“He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish.”___ Jose P.Rizal
The Commissions on Higher Education (CHED) issued a memorandum on the removal of Filipino and Philippine Literature from the college general education subjects, and the Supreme Court upheld it as constitutional. In short, Filipino subjects shall no longer be taught in college curriculum. According to CHED, it is to avoid “duplication” since Filipino subjects and literature were already taught from elementary to high school.
However, the decision was slammed by government officials. it garnered negative reactions from the public, some saying that language is part of the nation’s identity and removing it from the curriculum is an insult. Many employees and professionals may also lose their jobs in case the memorandum is enforced. A motion for reconsideration was filed by Filipino language advocates, thus, the Supreme Court put the memorandum on hold. Colleges and Universities can still include the subjects if they wish to do so.
On the other hand, the Department of Education (DepEd) is under fire for it’s pilot program to include Korean in grade school curriculum. But DepEd defends that it is an elective subject, which means students can choose whether to take it or not. DepEd has been teaching foreign languages like French, Spanish, Nihongo(Japanese) and Mandarin since 2009.
The above situations were ironic at best. Let Filipino language go but keep English. Why? For global competitiveness. Sure. But then again, why? Do Filipinos really doesn’t need to study Filipino language in higher education? Is it true that there is no economic gain in teaching Filipino in college? But if you ask students which subject they like the most, how many would answer “Filipino?” Let’s not kid ourselves. Not many Filipinos, college graduate or not, are even familiar with standard Filipino terms. It’s not uncommon to hear a conversation like’
A: “What is preposition in Filipino?”
B: “I don’t know.”
Most needs translations in English. It is ironic that people can identify the grammatical errors in English, but not in Filipino sentences. Tag-Lish remember? Many of us can’t speak either in straight English or straight Filipino.
Next, feel free to ask any Filipino you know to name any Filipino author they are familiar with. How about Filipino novelists? Any Philippine Literary piece? I wonder how many of them can drop a name or a title within a minute.
Then ask them their favorite Oppa. Ask them who BTS, Twice, Red Velvet are. You’ll be surprised.Not all people may be interested by many. But save for entertainment, what has Filipinos gained?
There is nothing wrong liking a different language or culture. But if you can’t even love your own, how can your own prosper? The national heroes and ancestors fought bravely in order to gain independence and establish an identity with the expense of their lives, language included. What has the recent generation done for it? For the country?
It is bittersweet that institutions look into the future with great visions, to include the Philippines in the play in a bigger field. But with such big picture, they somehow forget their own backyard. What motivations do younger generation have to be interested in their native language if what they all hear are foreign tongues? How can you expect them to like their local dialect if in their minds, it is instilled that English, or any other language, can propel them on top? Going further, English has become a measure of intelligence, instead of being just a tool for communication. Sad, indeed.
Let’s discuss with aimtalk teachers (request with the link of the article)
- The country’s national language should be taught even in college. Agree or disagree? Why?
- Does removing the country’s own language in the curriculum mean losing the identify? Why or Why not?
- What languages do you think are the most beneficial to learn? How so?
- if you could change something in your country’s education system, what would you change? Why?
Vocabulary
uphold(v): support a decision
depilation(n): repetition
slam(v): criticize something strongly
garner(v): collect something like information or support
on hold: pending
under fire: being attacked with severe criticism
be familiar with: know well about something
prosper(v): grow and develop in a successful way
instil / instill(v): gradually but firmly establish a belief, idea, or attitude in mind
propel(v): move something forward
