"Ang paggamit ng wikang banyaga bilang isang wikang panturo ay sagabal sa pag-iisip dahil dapat munang masanay ang mag-aaral sa mga bagong tunog, tono, at balangkas ng pangungusap. Nahihirapan siyang ipahayag ang kanyang mga saloobin at ito'y pumipigil sa kanyang pag-iisip. KAYA, MAKIKITA NATIN NA MARAMI SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN ANG HINDI SANAY NA MAG-ISIP NG MALALIM. Hindi nila ganap na maunawaan ang mga aklat at peryodikong nakasaulat sa Ingles. Hirap na hirap ang marami sa atin na nag-iisip sa wikang Ingles pero hindi rin sila makapag-usap ng mahusay sa sarili nilang wika dahil ito ay napabayaan."
- Constantino, Renato. Ang Paggamit ng Ingles Pumipigil sa Pag-iisip nang Malalim (1990)
This quote was attached to an e-mail message I received regarding some concert for the benefit of some detained former Communist leader. It theorizes that the use of English as a medium of instruction has stifled critical thinking because Filipinos are unfamiliar with the sound patterns and the nuances of the language. Since usage of the native language has been neglected in favor of English, Filipinos are likewise unable to express themselves well in their native tongue.
This is a sweeping generalization from a noted expert on Philippine history. While it may be true that discussions in the classroom, or say in town meetings across the country, tend to be more lively and colorful when conducted in the vernacular, I am not convinced that adopting a foreign language as a medium of instruction in our schools should be blamed for whatever is wrong with our system.
Contrary to Constantino’s assertions, there are immense benefits to using English as a medium not only in schools, but in business, politics, the arts and media. You see, the language is probably the richest among the world’s major languages, a treasure trove of words, because it draws from a variety of sources, from dead languages like Latin to modern ones especially French, Spanish and yes, Tagalog. Thus, the vocabulary expands, allowing the user endless possibilities and flexibility to express his ideas and thoughts. Because it is so rich, it facilitates the creation and exchange of ideas. So how can its usage stifle critical thinking?
English is not just a foreign language. It does not have that status anymore. It is a global language, overtaking French and Spanish in importance. It is no longer the prized ownership of the British, it has been adopted by various peoples and made it their own as well, giving rise to different varieties like, American, British, Indian, Jamaican, etc and all sorts of hybrids and patois, like Singlish (Singaporean English), Taglish (Tagalog peppered with English), among others.
I don’t think I am less of a Filipino now because I chose to write this blog in English. I really believe that you should express yourself in the language you are most comfortable with, be it Tagalog, Bisaya or English. In my case, I speak Bisaya/Cebuano to my family, Tagalog to my friends, and English to my Filipino and Singaporean work partners. My Tagalog has a Bisaya ring to it, the annoying staccato I just can’t do anything about it anymore; I trip over my Bisaya phrases a lot of times, committing a lot of grammatical errors in the process; and of course English, which I use for work.
You see, the choice of language is not really the cause of the problem. It might be something else, like motivation and other social factors which may explain the lamentable “state of mind” among the youth today.
- Constantino, Renato. Ang Paggamit ng Ingles Pumipigil sa Pag-iisip nang Malalim (1990)
This quote was attached to an e-mail message I received regarding some concert for the benefit of some detained former Communist leader. It theorizes that the use of English as a medium of instruction has stifled critical thinking because Filipinos are unfamiliar with the sound patterns and the nuances of the language. Since usage of the native language has been neglected in favor of English, Filipinos are likewise unable to express themselves well in their native tongue.
This is a sweeping generalization from a noted expert on Philippine history. While it may be true that discussions in the classroom, or say in town meetings across the country, tend to be more lively and colorful when conducted in the vernacular, I am not convinced that adopting a foreign language as a medium of instruction in our schools should be blamed for whatever is wrong with our system.
Contrary to Constantino’s assertions, there are immense benefits to using English as a medium not only in schools, but in business, politics, the arts and media. You see, the language is probably the richest among the world’s major languages, a treasure trove of words, because it draws from a variety of sources, from dead languages like Latin to modern ones especially French, Spanish and yes, Tagalog. Thus, the vocabulary expands, allowing the user endless possibilities and flexibility to express his ideas and thoughts. Because it is so rich, it facilitates the creation and exchange of ideas. So how can its usage stifle critical thinking?
English is not just a foreign language. It does not have that status anymore. It is a global language, overtaking French and Spanish in importance. It is no longer the prized ownership of the British, it has been adopted by various peoples and made it their own as well, giving rise to different varieties like, American, British, Indian, Jamaican, etc and all sorts of hybrids and patois, like Singlish (Singaporean English), Taglish (Tagalog peppered with English), among others.
I don’t think I am less of a Filipino now because I chose to write this blog in English. I really believe that you should express yourself in the language you are most comfortable with, be it Tagalog, Bisaya or English. In my case, I speak Bisaya/Cebuano to my family, Tagalog to my friends, and English to my Filipino and Singaporean work partners. My Tagalog has a Bisaya ring to it, the annoying staccato I just can’t do anything about it anymore; I trip over my Bisaya phrases a lot of times, committing a lot of grammatical errors in the process; and of course English, which I use for work.
You see, the choice of language is not really the cause of the problem. It might be something else, like motivation and other social factors which may explain the lamentable “state of mind” among the youth today.
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