Comments for Issues about the Spanish Language http://tresculturasspanish.net To inform and debate Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:37:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Chris http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1315 Chris Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:19:24 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1315 The reinstatement of Spanish as the third official language of the Philippines has it's pros and cons. I believe that most of the Filipinos' fluency in the English language is gradually deteriorating. It seems like English programs in schools, especially in public schools, is mediocre. If English is not being taught well enough in schools - evident by the mass' inability to use and speak the language, what more with Spanish - a completely foreign language? The reinstatement of Spanish as one of the official languages of the Philippines will give Filipinos more edge in the international scene. I agree with Daniel and his wife's observation - it seems that Philippines is one of the few nations that do not embrace its history well. I have met a lot of Filipinos born and raised here in the United States who are more passionate about the history of the country that I do. Spanish - if officially declared as the third official language, along with English and Filipino should be taught in the same intensity as the Sciences. The reinstatement of Spanish as the third official language of the Philippines has it’s pros and cons. I believe that most of the Filipinos’ fluency in the English language is gradually deteriorating. It seems like English programs in schools, especially in public schools, is mediocre. If English is not being taught well enough in schools - evident by the mass’ inability to use and speak the language, what more with Spanish - a completely foreign language?

The reinstatement of Spanish as one of the official languages of the Philippines will give Filipinos more edge in the international scene.

I agree with Daniel and his wife’s observation - it seems that Philippines is one of the few nations that do not embrace its history well. I have met a lot of Filipinos born and raised here in the United States who are more passionate about the history of the country that I do.

Spanish - if officially declared as the third official language, along with English and Filipino should be taught in the same intensity as the Sciences.

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by leopoldo http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1300 leopoldo Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:17:19 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1300 i come from a family of mixed blood. my maternal side comprise of middle eastern, spanish and japanese ancestry while on my paternal side, spanish and austronesian ancestry.spanish has been a part of our family's medium of communication but now it has gone.i really wanted to bring back that heritage sine it is not just a part of our history. it is the spring board of our identity.remember that there is no such thing as pure filipino race. the philippines is the only country in asia which do not have its own racial identity. sorry but it is true.look at the east asians. they can be recognized with their physical features and their language.so as with the sout asians. but what about us? we cant even recognize ourselves.may let this be a way for us to bring back the old times.spanish is closer to our hearts and let us join together and explore our beginnings. i come from a family of mixed blood. my maternal side comprise of middle eastern, spanish and japanese ancestry while on my paternal side, spanish and austronesian ancestry.spanish has been a part of our family’s medium of communication but now it has gone.i really wanted to bring back that heritage sine it is not just a part of our history. it is the spring board of our identity.remember that there is no such thing as pure filipino race. the philippines is the only country in asia which do not have its own racial identity. sorry but it is true.look at the east asians. they can be recognized with their physical features and their language.so as with the sout asians. but what about us? we cant even recognize ourselves.may let this be a way for us to bring back the old times.spanish is closer to our hearts and let us join together and explore our beginnings.

]]> Comment on Please submit your comments by Pierre Bédard http://tresculturasspanish.net/please-submit-your-comments/#comment-1297 Pierre Bédard Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:23:41 +0000 #comment-1297 It's about time Spanish regains its rightful place in the Philippines. We have thousands of Filipino immigrants here in Manitoba, Canada, and I am always amazed at how similar they are to Mexicans due to obvious cultural links. Also, I believe Filipinos would find it very easy to learn Spanish since the sounds of Tagalog (and other local languages) are much more similar to Spanish than they are to English. Many Filipinos coming here are shocked to learn that the English they speak is considered insufficient or at such a basic level that language-upgrading courses are needed for some professionals to be able to work in their fields. It’s about time Spanish regains its rightful place in the Philippines. We have thousands of Filipino immigrants here in Manitoba, Canada, and I am always amazed at how similar they are to Mexicans due to obvious cultural links. Also, I believe Filipinos would find it very easy to learn Spanish since the sounds of Tagalog (and other local languages) are much more similar to Spanish than they are to English. Many Filipinos coming here are shocked to learn that the English they speak is considered insufficient or at such a basic level that language-upgrading courses are needed for some professionals to be able to work in their fields.

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Observer http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1225 Observer Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:20:38 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1225 @micko: I totally agree. Some people have an obsession with past atrocities, that it prevents them from seeing 'clearly' of the future. Let's face it, the Spanish language is part of the Filipino identity...Like it or not... @micko:

I totally agree. Some people have an obsession with past atrocities, that it prevents them from seeing ‘clearly’ of the future. Let’s face it, the Spanish language is part of the Filipino identity…Like it or not…

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by micko http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1216 micko Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:08:29 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1216 I am a filipino with a spanish descent and grew here in the philippines. Regarding with this issue I agree with this proposal because for me it would be embracing our whole culture as filipinos. I think we would never be known today as filipinos if the spaniards hadn't invaded us. hey, just look in the bright side what advantages can it do to us. Let just move on from the past and think for the future. I am a filipino with a spanish descent and grew here in the philippines. Regarding with this issue I agree with this proposal because for me it would be embracing our whole culture as filipinos. I think we would never be known today as filipinos if the spaniards hadn’t invaded us. hey, just look in the bright side what advantages can it do to us. Let just move on from the past and think for the future.

]]> Comment on Some more facts about Spanish in the Philippines by J.A. Carizo http://tresculturasspanish.net/2008/08/23/some-more-facts-about-spanish-in-the-philippines/#comment-1090 J.A. Carizo Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:56:14 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/?p=49#comment-1090 i beg to disagree on your analysis of point 1. let's just take the idea of economic factor as a hindrance to the immigration of Spaniards in the Philippines at its face value. second, i also don't agree with Ostler comparing the fate of the Spanish and Dutch languages. for the information of everybody, about 50 of the 87 languages and dialects in the Philippines are influenced by the Spanish language. the highly influenced one is the 'chabacano' in the southern part of the archipelago which is internationally known as 'kitchen spanish' being a grammatically wrong spanish language. similarly, a large percentage of the vocabulary of the 'bikol' language has roots in the spanish tongue. thus, there are linguists who blame the spaniards for the death of the indigenous languages in the philippines. with regards the re-introduction of the spanish language in the philippine educational system, well, it could be because of the following: 1. the past laws of the Philippines, including jurisprudence, are written in spanish. and these are still being used in the current legal system. 2. considering that a large percentage of the existing languages in the archipelago are influenced by the spanish language, it might as well be proper that the filipinos also learn the original language and not the 'kitchen tongue'. 3. the philippines and spain shared a lot of historical and cultural experiences and now they are reviving them once again. hope this clarifies the issues. thanks and keep blogging :) i beg to disagree on your analysis of point 1. let’s just take the idea of economic factor as a hindrance to the immigration of Spaniards in the Philippines at its face value.

second, i also don’t agree with Ostler comparing the fate of the Spanish and Dutch languages. for the information of everybody, about 50 of the 87 languages and dialects in the Philippines are influenced by the Spanish language. the highly influenced one is the ‘chabacano’ in the southern part of the archipelago which is internationally known as ‘kitchen spanish’ being a grammatically wrong spanish language. similarly, a large percentage of the vocabulary of the ‘bikol’ language has roots in the spanish tongue.

thus, there are linguists who blame the spaniards for the death of the indigenous languages in the philippines.

with regards the re-introduction of the spanish language in the philippine educational system, well, it could be because of the following: 1. the past laws of the Philippines, including jurisprudence, are written in spanish. and these are still being used in the current legal system. 2. considering that a large percentage of the existing languages in the archipelago are influenced by the spanish language, it might as well be proper that the filipinos also learn the original language and not the ‘kitchen tongue’. 3. the philippines and spain shared a lot of historical and cultural experiences and now they are reviving them once again.

hope this clarifies the issues. thanks and keep blogging
:)

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Elsie Boclog http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1006 Elsie Boclog Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:10:05 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-1006 I am a pure blooded Filipino and I was born in the contemporary era where Spanish is no longer included in the educational system. As a Filipino, I also agree that Spanish will be reintroduced in the educational system here in the Philipinnes. It's not to reminisce their 300 years of colonization but to open doors for future opportunities. I am a pure blooded Filipino and I was born in the contemporary era where Spanish is no longer included in the educational system. As a Filipino, I also agree that Spanish will be reintroduced in the educational system here in the Philipinnes. It’s not to reminisce their 300 years of colonization but to open doors for future opportunities.

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Some more facts about Spanish in the Philippines « Issues about the Spanish Language http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-932 Some more facts about Spanish in the Philippines « Issues about the Spanish Language Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:24:12 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-932 [...] Spanish in the Philippines Posted on August 23, 2008 by Luis Pinel Late last year I wrote a post here about the proposal of reintroducing the teaching of Spanish in the school system of the [...] [...] Spanish in the Philippines Posted on August 23, 2008 by Luis Pinel Late last year I wrote a post here about the proposal of reintroducing the teaching of Spanish in the school system of the [...]

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Lon http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-913 Lon Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:16:18 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-913 I think there's a slight chance of possibility that Spanish will be reinstated as an official language in the Philippines. As of now, only a number of Filipinos speak it and during the colonial period, most of Mindanao and the mountainous areas of Luzon wasn't penetrated by Spanish influence. A more possible situation that would happen is it being a required subject or offered as an elective in high school and universities. Although I think it's doubtful, I actually support the reinstatement of Spanish as one of our official languages because it will help us understand our culture and history better. Filipinos, unaware of their Spanish heritage, are more Hispanic than they think. There are a lot of words from the Philippine languages that are borrowed from Spanish (time and money are usually spoken in Spanish). Filipinos hold fiestas, eat caldereta, and take siestas as well. They go to La Union for swimming, take a walk at the Plaza Salcedo, Plus, I think Filipinos will find it easy to pickup the language because of common words and considerably, the interest in learning it (Spanish telenovelas, Filipinos intending to work at Spanish-speaking countries). I hope they push through with this. =) I think there’s a slight chance of possibility that Spanish will be reinstated as an official language in the Philippines. As of now, only a number of Filipinos speak it and during the colonial period, most of Mindanao and the mountainous areas of Luzon wasn’t penetrated by Spanish influence. A more possible situation that would happen is it being a required subject or offered as an elective in high school and universities. Although I think it’s doubtful, I actually support the reinstatement of Spanish as one of our official languages because it will help us understand our culture and history better. Filipinos, unaware of their Spanish heritage, are more Hispanic than they think. There are a lot of words from the Philippine languages that are borrowed from Spanish (time and money are usually spoken in Spanish). Filipinos hold fiestas, eat caldereta, and take siestas as well. They go to La Union for swimming, take a walk at the Plaza Salcedo, Plus, I think Filipinos will find it easy to pickup the language because of common words and considerably, the interest in learning it (Spanish telenovelas, Filipinos intending to work at Spanish-speaking countries). I hope they push through with this. =)

]]> Comment on Spanish to be reintroduced as school subject in the Philippines by Luis Pinel http://tresculturasspanish.net/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-907 Luis Pinel Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:43:53 +0000 http://tresculturasspanish.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/spanish-to-be-reintroduced-as-school-subject-in-the-philippines/#comment-907 Hola Lon, I haven't read or heard anything else on this issue. However there seems to be quite a lot of interest from the public on this important subject, judging by the number of responses to this post. I don't have a complete knowledge of the history of the Philippines, however I agree with Pepe (see above) that Spanish can be used as a lingua franca in that country. English and French are used in that role in several parts of the world. The particular African models listed by him seem to be suitable for a country with diverse native language groups such as the Philippines. I'll be adding anything new about this issue as soon as get to know it. Hola Lon,

I haven’t read or heard anything else on this issue. However there seems to be quite a lot of interest from the public on this important subject, judging by the number of responses to this post.

I don’t have a complete knowledge of the history of the Philippines, however I agree with Pepe (see above) that Spanish can be used as a lingua franca in that country. English and French are used in that role in several parts of the world. The particular African models listed by him seem to be suitable for a country with diverse native language groups such as the Philippines.

I’ll be adding anything new about this issue as soon as get to know it.

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