The Philippine National Language [Part 3 of 3 series]

The Clearing Point

R. CHAM G. ZUÑIGA VI, Ll.B., MLGM, Ph.D.

The Philippine National Language

[Part 3 of 3 series]

Unknown to some, Martin Gomez, then a student of the Ateneo de Manila University, presented and registered Filipino with the International Organization for Standardization (IOS) as the Philippine Language. Consequently, on September 21, 2004, Filipino was added to the registry of languages of the IOS. It was coded under registry number IOS 693-2. Such action of Gomez in registering the Filipino paved the way for the promotion of the Filipino language.

In June 2007, Ricardo Maria Nolasco, then Chairman of the Commission on the Filipino Language acknowledged that Filipino was simply Tagalog in syntax and grammar. This is contrary to the intent and spirit of Republic Act No. 7104 that provides that the national language be developed and enriched by the lexicon of the country's other dialects.

Are "Tagalog," "Pilipino" and "Filipino" different languages?

Are language and dialect synonymous? One yardstick for distinguishing a language from a dialect is: different grammar, different language. Nolasco categorically said that "Tagalog," "Pilipino" and "Filipino" are not different languages as he elaborated the relationship between Tagalog and Filipino. He further stressed that they are mutually intelligible varieties, and therefore belong to one language. They share identical grammar. They have the same determiners (ang, ng and sa); the same personal pronouns (siya, ako, niya, kanila, etc.); the same demonstrative pronouns (ito, iyan, doon, etc.); the same linkers (na, at and ay); the same particles (na and pa); and the same verbal affixes -in, -an, i- and -um-.

One critic noted that it would be difficult to use Filipino at all times as there is no exact translation of some English words to Filipino. References were cited to the scientific and legal terms. As to its detail, it is better left to proper authorities.

During the impeachment trial of former Philippine President Jopseph E. Estrada, the definition of Filipino and Tagalog was put to challenge. It was Hilario Davide, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who was also the presiding justice of the impeachment court, that asked by Emma Lim, one of the witnesses, which language she preferred to testify in. When Lim answered "Tagalog", Davide reminded Lim that nobody could testify in Tagalog because it is not the official language of the Philippines.

Noticeably, while Filipino is the mandated national language, people in the provinces used their own dialect. Most of the languages or dialects used in the in the Philippines are Cebuano, Ilocano, Bikolano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Ilonggo/Hiligaynon.

And in spite that Filipino is the national and official language, English is still used in schools as the medium of instruction. English is widely use for educational, government and commercial purposes. In many instances, it is common to hear the mixture of English and Filipino words. This combination is called taglish.

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