I gave these notes to the Supreme Court, for its study.
Source:
Andrew Gonzalez, FSC, and Wilfrido V. Villacorta, THE LANGUAGE PROVISION OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. Manila: Linguistic Society of the Philippines, 2001, 383 pp..
pp. 58-60
NOTE ON THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE
By
Ernesto Constantino, Ph. D.
Professor of Linguistics
University of the Philippines
The term “Filipino” refers the Ph8ilippine national franca, i.e. the language used all over the country as a medium of communication. Filipino in thus the language that functions as the actual Philippine national language.
As present, Filipino is a language used typically by two (or more) persons whose native languages are not the same. For example, when a Sebuano and an Ilocano meet, say in Manila, Baguio, Zamboanga or Davao, they will most likely or most often speak to each other in Filipino.
The term Filipino was first used to refer to the national lingua franca in the 1971 Constitutional Convention which adopted the UP national language proposal, called the “universal approach.” The UP started using the language as a medium of instruction as early as in 1971. In 1973, the UP Department of Pilipino and Philippine Language.
Filipino is different from Pilipino which in accordance with the 1935 Constitution is based on only one language, Tagalog. Filipino, on the other hand, is based on the language usage, similarities and peculiarities of the different Philippine ethic groups.
Furthermore, by virtue of Commonwealth Act 184, the vocabulary of Pilipino was “cleaned” or “purified” of many borrowed words which were replaced by obsolete, archaic or very seldom used Tagalog words, or by “coined “ terms based on “pure” Tagalog elements. As a results, Pilipino not only became “purer” than Tagalog but it also became a somewhat artificial or “ hothouse” language which was developed almost exclusively by the so-called Tagalistas.
On the other hand, Filipino is based on the natural use of the spreading lingua franca by Filipino is enriched not by “pure” Tagalog words or “coined “ terms, but by words coming from foreign contact languages, like Spanish and English, and all the different Philippine languages. Unlike Pilipino, which is based almost exclusively on the speech of the Tagalog, Filipino is based on the speech of the various Philippine ethic groups.
At this stage of the development of Filipino, this language bears more similarities with Tagalog than with any of the other Philippine languages. One can that at the present time the similarities between Filipino and Tagalog are greater that the similarities between, say, Sebuano and Hiligaynon. However, as Filipino continues to develop further, its similarities with Tagalog will decrease as its similarities with the other Philippine languages continue to increase. In short, Filipino and Tagalog will continue to develop as separate languages in the same way that Sebuano and Hiligaynon, or Chavacano and Spanish, have developed as separate and district languages.
At present, Filipino is used almost exclusively as a lingua franca throughout the entire archipelago. But as a natural and living language, it can be made to perform all the functions that a natural and a living language, like English, French, German and Japanese, can be made to perform, like as a medium of instructions, research, science and technology, and as a literary language. As a matter of fact, Filipino started some time ago to perform these functions. For example, in the UP, Filipino has been used as a medium of instruction in all subjects and as language of research, science and technology since 1971.
pp., 132-141
2.2 MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES MEETINGS
2.2.1. Meeting with Resources Persons
Republic of the Philippines
1986 CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION
Quezon City, Metro Manila
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES CONSTITTUIONAL COMMISSION OF 1986, HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM H, BATASAN PAMBANSA COMPLEX, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA ON JUNE 18, 1986.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Hon. Wilfrido V. Villacorta - Chairman
Hon, Lugum L. Uka - Vice- Chairman
Hon Serafin V. C. Guigona - Member
Hon. Lino O. Brocka - “
Hon. Minda Luz M. Quesada - “
Hon. Ponciano L. Bennagen - “
Hon Cirilo A. Rigos - “
Hon. Florangel Rosario Braid - “
Hon. Jose Martin L. Gascon - “
Hon. Efrain B. Trines - “
MEMBER ABSENT:
Hon. Christine Tan
RESOURCES PERSONS:
Director Ponciano Pineda
Institute of National Language
Dr. Bonifacio Sibayan
President, Linguistic Society of the Philippines
Dr. Andrew Gonzalez
Secretary, Linguistic Society of the Philippines
Dr. Alfonso Santiago
President, Linguistic Education Council
Dr. Ernesto Constantino
Linguistics Department, UP
Prof. Efren Abueg
President, Kapisanan ng mga Profesor ng Pilipino
Prof. Jesus Ramos
President, Pambansang Samahan ng Wika
Dr. Demetrio Quirino, Jr.
Philippine Association for Technological Education
Prof. Teresita G. Maceda
Department of Filipino, UP
Dr. Panfilo D. Catacataca
Surian ng Wikang Pambansa
Ms. Aurora E. Batnag
Surian ng Wikang Pambansa
Prof. Eufracio C. Abeyant
Department of Anthropology, Up
- CALL TO ORDER
There being a quorum, the Chairman called the meeting to order at 2.21 P.M.
- APPOVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of the previous meeting on June 17, 1986 were approved.
- DISCUSSION OF THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE ISSUE
The Committee discussed thoroughly the national language issue, with the resource persons expressing their views and sharing the results of their research studies.
View/Comments/Positions
a) Director Ponciano Pineda of the Institute of National Language proposed that Pilipino, with an “F”, should be written into the Constitution as the national language of the Republic. He said that since 1940 to 1986, Pilipino has dominated the scene as the national “lingua franca”, a language of government, a language of media, and a language of society. And whenever you go throughout the country now, Pilipino, with a “P”, is already the medium of communication of the people. Besides, he said, so much time, money, talent, etc. have already been spent for and invested in the development and propagation of Pilipino.
b) Dr. D4emetrio Quirino, Jr. of the Philippine Association for Technological Education apprised the Committee that he was one of the principle authors of the 1973 provision of the Constitution and said that the national language to be developed was to be Filipino, “ F”, to distinguish it from the language at the time that was Pilipino, “P”. But the 1971 convention repudiated that national Language supposed to be. That is why the provision was that: “The National Assembly shall take steps towards the development and formal adoption of the common national language to be known as Filipino, “ “F”, to distinguish it from the alleged national language at that time to be Pilipino, “P”. And as a concession, the convention put subsection 3(3) as “xxx” until otherwise provided by law, English and Pilipino will be the official languages.”
c) Dr. Bonifacio Sibayan, President of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines, read before the Body their position on the language issue, to wit:
1. The official languages of the Philippines are Pilipino and English.
2. The national language of the Philippines is Pilipino Steps shall be taken by the Institute of National Language to modernize Pilipino through enrichment of lexical items from other Philippine languages and to cultivate Pilipino as a language for the domains of higher education, government administration, legislation, and judicial processes.
3. The Constitution shall be promulgated in Pilipino and in English.
He explained that national language, as differentiated from an official language, is a language that must unify the people and must be a language of identity. He said that English is an official language, but it cannot be a language of identity except in very restricted areas.
As a language of identity, he said, that language must cut across the various Philippine native or ethic languages. He explained further that there is a also a language outside the home which is called the “lingua franca” or the common language. Before it was English, but now it Pilipino, he said.
He explained further that Pilipino is quite Different from Tagalog as Pilipino has browed from English and from many other languages.
d) Dr. Ernesto Constitution of the Linguistics Department of U.P. submitted the following proposed constitutional provisions on the national language issue.
1. The Constitution shall be officially promulgated in Filipino and translated into the regional languages of the Philippines, English and Arabic. In case of conflict, the Filipino text shall prevail. It was explained that Filipino was meant to include the universal features of the different Philippine languages, while Pilipino is based on Tagalog which excludes other Philippines languages.
2. Filipino shall be the official language, with the regional languages and, unless otherwise provided by law, English as auxiliary language.
3. A National Language Commission shall be established consisting of language experts, language teachers, linguists, and writers, to develop and propagate the national lingua franca and other Philippine languages.
4. Filipino shall be the medium of instruction in all schools. The regional languages and, until necessary, English shall be auxiliary languages.
e) Dr. Alfonso Santiago, President of the Language Education Council (LEDCO), submitted a resolution requesting the members of the Constitutional Commission that the projected Philippine Constitution be written and promulgated in the national language.
It was stated that “what we have to maintain the English language in the3 Philippines as an official second language, serving as tool especially in the field of education and diplomacy, nonetheless we Filipinos must also accept the reality that it more effective for a people- oriented government to use medium the indigenous national language for the attainment of national unity call of involvement and participation of the common citizen.”
The resolution further said that” even the projected Philippine Constitution is written and Promulgated in the national language, it will be without prejudice to other official versions, such as in English, languages, as may be found necessary.
f) Commission Braid brought up the idea of having simultaneous translators who can procedure simultaneous translations of the proceedings in the CON-COM both in Pilipino and English.
IN THIS CONNECTION, director Pineda volunteered the services of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa, with the cooperation of LEDCO, Linguistic Society, U.P. Linguistics [Department], KAPPIL and the Pambansang Samahan sa Wika.
The Committee created an ad committee, headed by Commissioner Braid, with Commissioners Gascon and Quesada as members, to get clearance from the CON- COM President because the groups has to occupy certain offices, etc.
g) Dr. Sibayan apprised the Committee that they did some research for the Ministry of Education on the evaluation of bilingual in the Philippines. Commissioner Bannagen requested a copy of a brief report of their study which can be cited during the deliberations in defense said they are writing it now and [that it] will be available sometime in July.
h) Asked the Chairman about the reaction of his group to the findings of Dr. Sibayan’s research group, Dr. Constantino said there is no doubt that Filipinos can understand the national language MUCH BETTER THAN English. But the use of questionnaires and similar research instruments does not usually yield reliable results, he said.
i) Dr. Quirino said he has no quarrel about having a national language, and there is still a sizeable number of Filipinos who cannot speak Tagalog or Pilipino. He asked that we do not override them because if we do that, instead of uniting our people we will be dividing them. He said we will lose nothing by going a little more slowly.
j) Commissioner Gascon said he supports the proposal of the U.P. Linguistics Department that ‘Filipino should be the official language with the regional languages and unless otherwise provided by law, English, as auxiliary language’. He said this should be incorporated into the regional languages. However, he said, he does not oppose [the statement] that Pilipino is our national language but the context is, it is a developing national language.
- CONSENSUS DURING THE HEARING
The Chairman enumerated the following consensus during the hearing:
a) Pilipino is widely understood throughout the country and is de facto nucleus of the national lingua franca.
b) According to research findings, Pilipino can be easily learned by non- Tagalogs.
c) There is need for one national language that will strengthen our national identify and national character.
d) The national language should not be developed in a purist way. It should welcome the contribution of all the languages of the country.
e) There is a need to developed also the different languages of our people and the regional lingua francas, as a recognition of the value of pluralism and in line with popular democracy.
f) The Constitution should be written in English and the national language.
g) The government should support fully the propagation of the use of the national language in the various intellectual and scientific domains in both schools and government.
h) There should be simultaneous reporting of the sessions both in Pilipino and English. Voluntary service will be provided by the Surian with the cooperation’s of LEDCO, Linguistics Society, U.P. Linguistics [Department], KAPPIL and the Pambansang Samahan sa Wika.
i) Support in other sectors of society should be given the national language to ensure that it is given its proper place in law, government and the professions.
5. ADJAOURMENT
there being no more matters to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:12P.M.
pp. 380-383.
APPENDIX
LANGUAGE PROVISIONS OF PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS
1986 Biak-na Bato Constitution
Article 8
El Tagalog sera la lengua official de la Republica.
1899 Malolos Constitution
Article 93
The use of the languages spoken in the Philippine in the Philippines is optional. It can be regulated by law, and solely as regards acts of public authorities and judicial affairs. For these acts, the Spanish language shall be used for the present.
1935 Commonwealth Constitution
Article 14 Section 3
The Congress shall take steps toward the development and adoption of a common national language based on one of the existing native languages. Until otherwise provided by law, English native. Languages.
1934 Laurel Constitution
Article 9 Section 2
The government shall take steps toward the development and propagation of Tagalog as the national language.
1973 Marcos Constitution
Article 15 Section 3
This Constitution shall be officially promulgated in English and in Pilipino, and translated into each dialect spoken by over fifty thousand people, and into Spanish and Arabic. In case of conflict, the English text shall prevail.
The Batasang Pambansa shall take steps toward the development and formal adoption of a common national language to be known as Pilipino.
1986 Freedom Constitution
Article 14 Section 6
The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.
Subjects to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.
Section 7
For purpose of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.
The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein.
Section 9
The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of representatives of various and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, and promote researches for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other languages.
1987 Aquino Constitution
Article 14 Section 6
The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.
Subjects to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.
Section 7
For purpose of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.
The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein.
Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis.
Section 9
The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of representatives of various and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, and promote researches for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other languages.
LAWS ON THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE
1936 The National Language Law (Commonwealth Act Number 184) authored by Norberto Romualdez had been passed in 1937. The National Language Institute had been established and by December of that same year, after discussion and consultation with Cebuanos (who proved the most resistant), Tagalog was chosen as the basis of the national language and in future books and textbooks was referred to as the National Language or Wikang Pambansa.
1991 The Congress established a Commission on national Language composed of representatives from different regions and disciplines who will work on, put together, and promote researches in Filipino and other local languages for their development, propagation and preservation.
