Filipino Language Concepts

Language Concepts

• Language serves as a vital instrument for communication, facilitating the expression of thoughts and feelings
• Language is composed of meaningful sounds, symbols, and rules

Word origin

• The word "wika" originates from the Latin term "lingua," meaning "tongue."
• It evolved into "langue" in French and "language" in English

Language Definitions

• Paz, Hernandez, and Peneyra (2003) define language as a bridge for expressing needs
• Henry Allan Gleason, Jr. describes it as a systematic arrangement of sounds
• The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as a communication system involving sounds, words, and grammar

National Language

• The Philippines has a rich diversity of languages and dialects
• A common language is essential for unity among Filipinos

History of National Language Selection

• The selection of a national language was intensely debated during the constitutional convention of 1934
• Lope K. Santos proposed basing the national language on an existing native language

Amendment to the Basic Law

• The 1987 Constitution stipulates that Filipino is the national language of the Philippines
• Former President Corazon Aquino supported the use of Filipino in government

Official Language and Language of Instruction

• According to the 1987 Constitution, the official languages are Filipino and English
• Regional languages serve as auxiliary official languages

Language of Instruction

• The K to 12 Curriculum designates "Mother Tongue" as the official language of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3
• MTB-MLE (Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education) is implemented to improve learning outcomes

First Language, Second Language, and More

• First language is the language learned from birth
• Second language is acquired through exposure to the environment
• Third language refers to additional languages learned while growing up

Monolingualism, Bilingualism, and Multilingualism

Monolingualism

• It involves using only one language in a country (e.g., England, France)

Bilingualism

• It involves the use of two languages as if they were native
• Bloomfield and Macnamara offer various definitions

Multilingualism

• The Philippines is a multilingual country with over 180 languages
• MTB-MLE aims to promote multilingual education

Language Variations

Definition of Language Variation

• Language variation refers to differences in language that arise from interactions among people from diverse places and cultures
• The existence of variation is inevitable and results from the experiences and environments of speakers

Examples of Language Variation

Dialect

• It refers to the variation of language used by a particular group from a specific place
• Examples include Tagalog in Morong, Tagalog in Manila, and Tagalog in Visayas
• Dialects may differ in tone, vocabulary, and sentence structure, but speakers can still understand each other

Idyolek

• It is an individual's unique way of speaking, even if they use the same dialect
• It reflects the speaker's distinct characteristics
• Examples include the unique style of Marc Logan and the "pabebeng" idyolek of Pabebe Girls

Sosyolek

• It is language variation based on people's social status or level
• Examples include the language of educated versus uneducated individuals, and "gay lingo."
• Sosyolek reflects social stratification and may contain jargon from various professions

Pidgin and Creole

• Pidgin is a new language that emerges from the interaction of people with different first languages
• Creole is a pidgin that becomes the first language of a community after prolonged use

Register

• It refers to the appropriate use of language based on the situation and the person being addressed
• Formal language is used in formal occasions, while informal language is used with friends and close acquaintances

Importance of Studying Language Variation

• Studying language variation is essential to understand the differences in language within society
• It helps broaden knowledge about the culture and traditions of different groups
• It emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding among people from different walks of life

Uses of Language in Society

Essence of Language

• Language is a social tool
• Example: The story of Tarzan and his learning of animal sounds
• The significance of interaction in language acquisition is important

Importance of Connection

• People learn language through interaction
• A person without interaction with the community may have difficulty learning to speak

Categories of Language Functions (M.A.K. Halliday)

Instrumental

• Responds to people's need for interaction
• Example: Business letters, advertisements

Regulatory

• Controls the behavior of others
• Example: Directions, cooking steps, instructions

Interactional

• Communication and interaction with others
• Example: Joking, storytelling

Personal

• Expression of opinion and feelings
• Example: Writing a diary

Heuristic

• Seeking information
• Example: Interviewing, reading books

Informative

• Providing information
• Example: Writing a term paper, report

History of the National Language

Period of the Natives

• Negrito, the first to migrate to the Philippines from Borneo and resided in the mountains and forests of Bataan, Zambales, and Northern Luzon
• Indones came from Southeast Asia with greater civilization than the Negrito and resided in Luzon and Mindanao, including the Ibanag, Kalinga, and Apayao
• Malays arrived on boats and many remained pagan while others became Mohamedan, with their own languages derived from Austronesian

Spanish Period

• The goal was to instill Christianity in the natives and divide the islands and communities for more effective governance
• Missionary friars (Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Recollects) wrote dictionaries and grammar books for the natives
• The use of native languages ​​in trade was suppressed

Period of the Philippine Revolution

• Nationalism sparked after 300 years of colonization
• The use of Tagalog in the newspapers and decrees of the Katipunan became more widespread
• The Constitution of Biak-na-Bato declared Tagalog as the official language

American Period

• English was introduced as the language of instruction
• Act No. 74 established public schools
• Vernacular instruction recommended the use of vernacular as an auxiliary language

Japanese Period

• Promotion of the National Language
• English was banned and the use of Tagalog was strengthened
• Military Ordinance No. 13 declared Tagalog and Japanese as official languages

Period of Independence to the Present

• Commonwealth Act No. 570 declared Tagalog and English as official languages
• Department Order No. 7 (1959) replaced the term for the national language from Tagalog to Filipino
• The 1987 Constitution declared Filipino as the national language, with Article XIV, Section 6 promoting the enrichment of existing languages ​​in the Philippines

Challenges and Progress

• Present situation shows the continued progress of the Filipino language despite challenges
• Executive Order No. 210 brought back monolingual teaching in English