Dr. Lacsamana’s essay examines the synergy that exists between Filipino, the national language, and the other major regional languages in the country. In describing this synergy, the historical-inductive approach and the discourse analysis method were used in examining the many historical events accompanying the creation of a national language and the institutionalization of Multilingual Education in the Philippines. Given this trajectory of analysis, the essay also interrogates the many assumptions or hypotheses articulated in the many debates and fora regarding the question: “How can the regional languages help in the intellectualization of the national language?”
By way of a conclusion, the essay answers this question by quoting the language scholar, Jerzy Smolicz when he said: “Ethnic languages rather than other values (such as race or religion) offer better prospects for peaceful and successful mobilization of democratic states. Language has a more inclusive character, inasmuch as it is not used as a barrier to prevent the integration of outsiders.”
To read his full essay, go to http://go.uap.asia/LacsamanaKWF.
Banner photo by Victoria Strukovskaya on Unsplash.
Leave a Reply