UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino’s tackle English-only coverage

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — Implementing an English-only coverage in colleges shouldn’t be new within the Philippines, nevertheless it stays a priority that have to be addressed by strengthening and intellectualizing the Filipino language, in accordance with the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino – College of the Philippines Diliman (SWF-UPD).

This assertion got here in response to the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao’s latest announcement of its English-only coverage, which drew flak on-line.

SWF-UPD Director Jayson Petras advised INQUIRER.internet on Thursday that even with out formal written insurance policies, many colleges within the Philippines have been imposing English-only insurance policies.

“Kung tutuusin, hindi siya isang bagay na bago sa atin. Napakalakas lang ng loob ng Pamantasan ng Cabuyao na talagang ibalandra nila ito sa atin at itakda talaga ito na nakasulat at ilagay siya sa Fb web page na pwedeng makita ng publiko,” Petras mentioned in a Zoom interview.

(If you concentrate on it, that is nothing new to us. Pamantasan ng Cabuyao was simply daring sufficient to publicly announce and formally implement it, even posting it on Fb for the general public to see.)

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“Hindi lang sila ang gumagawa nito. Napakaraming mga eskwelahan ang nagpapatupad na midday pa man ng English-only coverage o kaya ng talagang higit na pagpapahalaga sa wikang Ingles,” he added.

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(Pamantasan ng Cabuyao shouldn’t be the one one doing this. Many colleges have lengthy been implementing an English-only coverage or prioritizing the English language.)

Petras, who can be a Filipino professor at UPD, defined that the coverage is rooted in systemic points, together with the widespread perception that English is superior attributable to its dominant use in numerous sectors, notably in schooling and authorities establishments.

“Resolve na sila doon sa ideya eh na ang Ingles ay wikang intelektwal, ito ay kailangan para maging globally aggressive,” he mentioned.

(They’re already satisfied that English is an mental language, that it’s essential to be globally aggressive.)

He identified that this mindset is mirrored in sure academic insurance policies, such because the elimination of Filipino and Panitikan as core faculty topics underneath CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, which cited redundancy as these topics are already taught in senior highschool.

A mirrored image of society, a necessity for motion

Petras emphasised that the problem lies in making the general public perceive that Filipino is simply as necessary as English or some other language.

“Repleksyon kasi ng nangyayari sa lipunan din naman ‘yung mga katwiran, ‘yung mga polisiyang ganito, na ibinalandra lang sa atin ngayon ng Pamantasan ng Cabuyao. Kumbaga kino-concretize nila, pero totoong nangyayari naman ito sa senaryo ng ating lipunan,” he mentioned.

(These simply mirror what is occurring in society. Pamantasan ng Cabuyao merely made it extra concrete, however in actuality, that is already occurring throughout totally different sectors.)

“Kasi kahit na sabihin mong mali sila, o mali ‘yan, o hindi ‘yan pagmamahal sa wika, pero sa totoo lang, ‘yun naman talaga yung repleksyon ng ating lipunan,” the SWP-UPD director underscored.

(Even when we are saying they’re unsuitable and that this isn’t love for our language, the reality is, it mirrors our society.)

Given this actuality, Petras careworn that it’s essential to transcend educating Filipino in colleges and as an alternative assist folks notice that the language is integral to nationwide id and tradition.

“Ang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga estudyante ko sa wika, kung ikaw ay nagtuturo ng wikang Filipino, hindi ka lang talaga instructor ng wika. Na mayroon kang say sa iba’t ibang mga usaping panlipunan dahil might implikasyon ito sa mismong mga sitwasyong pangwika natin,” he defined.

(I all the time inform my college students that when you train Filipino, you aren’t only a language instructor. You could have a say in numerous social points as a result of language has broader implications.)

He additionally emphasised the significance of networking to raised perceive the contexts and causes behind the idea in English’s superiority, additionally making it simpler to resolve.

“Makipag-ugnayan, alamin kung saan nanggagaling, kasi sa ganoong paraan, mas ma-aaddress natin o mabibigyan natin ng tamang tugon kung ano ‘yung mga kailangan para matiyak ‘yung paggamit ng wikang Filipino,” he mentioned.

(Interact with folks, perceive the place they’re coming from as a result of that method, we are able to higher deal with and reply appropriately to make sure using Filipino.)

“Hindi lamang siya usapin ng, “Aawayin ko ‘yung mga nag-iisip na English lang ‘yung importante.” Kasi hindi tayo dapat bumubuo lamang ng ating mga kaaway — bumubuo tayo ng ating mga alyansa.”

(This isn’t nearly arguing with those that assume English is the one necessary language. We should always not simply create enemies; we must always construct alliances.)

He urged lecturers and policymakers to combine Filipino alongside English in public areas, similar to public signage, to make sure wider publicity to each languages.

“Sa ganung paraan kahit na ‘yung pang-araw-araw lang na publicity na ito, meron kang dalawang natututuhan kaagad – dalawang napaghuhusayang wika at nabubuo sa isipan ng mga estudyante na parehong mahalaga ‘yung wika na ‘yun kasi pareho nilang nakikita,” in accordance with Petras.

(That method, even in every day publicity, persons are studying and enhancing in two languages, and college students will perceive that each languages are necessary as a result of they see them used equally.)

“‘Yung mga ganitong transfer, importante ‘yan para maisulong ‘yung wikang Filipino hindi lamang sa pagtuturo, sa curriculum, kundi palawak ng palawak. Na kahit ‘yung hindi nag-aaral sa eskwelahan, basta nakikita nila ‘yun, ultimately tutularan nila ‘yan,” he added.

(These initiatives are essential in selling Filipino, not simply in educating and the curriculum, however in a broader sense. Even those that are usually not at school will see it and ultimately undertake it.)