Press Release
August 19, 2008

English proficiency must not be at Filipino language's expense -- Loren

Proficiency in English, one of the international languages of commerce and trade, is important if the Filipinos are to become globally competitive.

Senator Loren Legarda however cited yesterday the importance of loving our own language and dialects as part and parcel of their national heritage.

Legarda made this statement as the country starts with the celebration of the Linggo Ng Wika, with many schools undertaking related Filipiniana activities.

"Love of one's own language is love of country. Thus, we must not only be proficient in English, but also in Filipino," she said.

Legarda also batted for the preservation of the numerous dialects spoken in the country. "Language is dynamic and ever-changing. But there's a need to preserve Filipino and our dialects in their pure forms, which are being adulterated as in the case of 'taglish,'" she said. The senator said that scholarly studies should be undertaken on dialects spoken by indigenous Filipinos or 'lumads' which are in danger of being lost.

Legarda specifically pointed out at dialects without written forms as possible subject of studies. "We just have to be creative like archiving them in audio form for future reference," said Legarda as she urged more writers and musicians to use the Filipino language in their compositions. She cited the works of noted singer-composer Grace Nono, who had incorporated folkloric songs in her music like salidumay, lawang sebu and tu pasak ta.

Numerous contests in schools are held in the month of August like the oratorical, singing and writing contests in Filipino. These are usually held coinciding with the commemoration birth anniversary of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, who is also the Father of Philippine Language.

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