Love our own Language
Language is always tied up to
one's culture and, of course, his identity. However, the Filipinos cannot even
speak anymore of cultural identity, with some social scientists even talking of
a "damaged culture”. Even if English is becoming to be the world's
dominant language, it is still necessary for the Filipinos to speak their
national language or their regional language. After all, it is the only
language that can really, in essence, capture the feelings and sentiments of
the people, and can represent their true spirit as Filipinos. Also, language
can help promote unity within the country and develop a sense of belongingness.
It is admitted that by knowing
English, thousands of Filipinos have found jobs abroad. But, most of these
works subject Filipinos to servitude to foreigners as domestic helpers,
care-givers and nurses. Is this the Philippines' idea of competitiveness? True
competition is when the Filipinos become capitalists, entrepreneurs, traders,
school owners, building contractors, and exporters of Philippine goods in other
countries.
The Philippines' national hero,
Jose Rizal, expressed the utmost importance of loving one's country through
loving one's language, among others. He wrote in Filipino: "Ang di
marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mas masahol pa sa malansang isda." He
said that it is difficult to consider one as a nationalist if he was ashamed of
his own language. This is an important matter for one who does not give value
to his native language, whether national or regional, to be aware of. It is sad
to note that, in today's times, there are many Filipinos who admire their
countrymen who are very good in speaking the English language but consider
those not good in English as not as intelligent or not as knowledgeable as the
others.
Yes, it is important for the
Filipinos to be able to communicate very well in English. But, everyone who
thinks of himself as Filipino has also the responsibility to love the country
of his birth and, naturally, his own language. It is only in their language
that the Filipinos are able to distinguish themselves from other peoples of
Asia, especially now that it is already possible to change the color of the
skin and the shape and features of the face. In a sense, it is only the
language that seems to be the remaining link to the Filipino spirit and his
potential towards a lasting national identity.
