Re: One language for the world

CONLANG@LISTSERV.BROWN.EDU writes:

>
>
>The situation is getting better, though.  In the early
>80s, out of the 5 evening newsbroadcasts in Manila,
>only one is in Pilipino.  After the EDSA Revolution,
>the situation has reversed.  Now only one out of the 6
>evening newsbroadcasts is in English, and it has the
>lowest rating of the six.  All AM stations broadcast
>in Pilipino.

I've noticed that when I watch Alas Singko Y Medya, whenever they show
protests, etc. most of the protest signs are in English instead of
Pilipino, or whatever language is in the region where protests are
happening.

>
>People here in America quite often ask me how it was
>learning English when I first studied it.  I really
>find this question difficult to answer because I have
>understood English ever since I started to remember
>anything.  So maybe I can say that I started to learn
>English and Tagalog at the same time, but it's just
>that English is the language I use for reading and
>Tagalog is the language I use for speaking. So I'm
>definitely more comfortable speaking in Tagalog, it's
>just that there are some things that are easier for me
>to express in English.
This is one of the fortunate things for Filipino immigrants to the United
States. Since most were educated in English in school they have a grasp of
it already. Not so much with very young children, but I remember my friend
Joselle who had just immigrated from there being able to speak English
already.
>
>
>This is very true.  Filipinos like to speak English,
>and they would use it on every possible occasion. Even
>when they are talking with a foreigner, or even a
>Filipino who grew up outside the Philippines, who
>understands Tagalog very well, they would still talk
>to him in English so they can practice their English
>and at the same time show off their English skills and
>make themselves feel more "cultured and
>sophisticated".
An interesting thing i've noticed here is, Older Filipinos prefer to speak
in their native languages to eachother. My dad often has to clarify things
for my grandmother in her language when he speaks to her (She's fluent in
English). Younger Filipinos who still know the language, do prefer
English.
>
>It's funny even my mom talks to my Chinese relatives
>in English even though it won't make any difference if
>she would talk to them in Tagalog since they don't
>understand a single word of any of the two languages!
>No wonder my American teacher in high school never
>really got to learn Tagalog (he only knows the usual
>touristy stuff like "good morning") even though he had
>been in the Philippines for 40 years!
I'm sure if I can ever get over there to visit, i'll be assaulted by
people wanting to practice English with me :) . Which is fine, although
i'd have my cousins around to help me out. My mother's friend who often
goes to the Tuscany region for vacation says even though he tries to
practice his Italian, they often want to practice their English with him.
>
>
>The
>only exception is Cebu City.  They are particularly
>resentful about Tagalog being the basis for Pilipino.
>Even when I flub on my Cebuano, they would still
>continue talking to me in Cebuano.  They feel they
>don't have to "go down" to the level of speaking
>Tagalog, unless the person doesn't understand Cebuano
>at all.
Hmm, I'm wondering what the situation is where my grandfather grew up, as
well as the city my grandmother grew up in. But, i'm not surprised
Cebuanos dislike speaking Pilipino since cebuano was one of the contenders
for the basis of Pilipino.

>


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All the simple things are simply too complicated for my life