Respect the mother tongue

There are people who have become addicted to watching televised congressional hearings in the same way they watch their favorite telenovelas, or every episode of the Walking Dead or Game of Thrones.  Many viewers view these hearings as entertainment – full of comedy and drama. I have tried to listen and sincerely pay attention to some of the privilege speeches and debates that happen on the floor of Congress and the Senate.

Debates, hearings and privilege speeches are vital parts of the legislative process in a democratic society. We measure the dynamism of our legislative chambers by the level of quality of these debates and speeches. Any objective observer listening to the majority of our senators and congressmen must come to the conclusion that we seem to have sunk to new “lows” in the level of our legislative process. Hearings have become filled with personal innuendos and questions are asked that reveal obvious ignorance or lack of research by our legislators. It is no wonder that viewers find hearings as comedies or zarzuelas.

In recent weeks, I have been viewing the congressional hearings in the United States and the Question Hour in the United Kingdom. In a recent hearing on Russian interference in the 2016 American elections, Republican and Democratic legislators were obviously at loggerheads. The Republicans were clearly trying to defend Trump while the Democrats were exploiting the finds that seemed to indicate that Trump had lied and that there was possible collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign staff. While the debates were fierce, the language used was couched in a manner that appeared logical and not personal insults. There was no obvious demeaning of each other’s character.

The Question Time in the United Kingdom is an hour set aside during a parliamentary session when the opposition can ask questions directed at the Prime Minister and the Cabinet members of the ruling coalition. The questions can often be sarcastic and pointed and so are the answers. There is often a lot of shouting and loud applause after each question and answer episode. Again, there were no personal attacks and attempts to demean each other’s character.

As a college student in La Salle, I remember attending a few sessions in the Philippine Senate which was then located in Manila, just a jeepney ride from our campus. This was during the pre martial law years. I remember listening, with awe, at the privilege speeches of senators like Jose Diokno, Lorenzo Tanada, Ninoy Aquino and Raul Manglapus. I have books of the compiled speeches of Senator Claro M. Recto that are still quotable in this modern era.

As I listen to our senators and congressmen I have wondered why their speeches and words have failed to inspire people. I want to assume that their motivation is as sincere as our past leaders. I have wondered why, for example, Senator Manny Pacquiao has become a social media joke every time he participates in a Senate debate. As an elected Senator, he certainly has the right to participate.

Recently, I have begun to believe that the mastery of language and the ability to communicate is a critical asset that every senator should possess. Familiarity and proficiency with language means understanding the rules of grammar; but, mastery means a level of expertise beyond proficiency. Mastery of language requires knowledge of various nuances of a phrase; and, the tone used can also change the meaning of a phrase or even a whole speech.

If this is true, then our senators must express themselves in the language which they have completely mastered. They must communicate in the same language that they use for thinking and speaking to intimate friends.  If they do not have mastery of the English language, then why communicate in this language? Why must Senator Pacquiao insist on speaking English if he can communicate better in Filipino or the Bisayan language? As an aside, I have always wondered why our international beauty contestants are expected to speak English fluently while other countries do not have the same expectations.

The ability to speak English is not a measure of a person’s intelligence. Call center agents may have the ability to speak English with an American accent; but, they are not necessarily more intelligent than another person who may not speak fluently but has mastery over other talents like science or agriculture.

In international and regional conferences, translators are provided whenever there is a request. If a Senator speaks in Filipino and there are those who cannot understand our national language, then let them request for a translator. I would much prefer to criticize Senator Pacquiao for his lack of logic and for his self contradicting statements than for his lack of the mastery of the English language. I can still remember the speeches of then Senator Soc Rodrigo in Filipino.

There was a time when the language of the Western world was Greek, then Latin, then French and now English. Some day there will be another lingua franca for the world. But throughout the whole history of civilization, people always had a Mother Tongue which best expressed their emotions and cultural identity. If we lose our Mother Tongue, then we will lose our cultural heritage, our cultural identity and our national spirit. I sincerely hope that we as a people, including our leaders, will never consider our Mother Tongue as an inferior language to a secondary functional language.

Summer creative writing classes for kids and teens

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on April  1, 8, 22, 29, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3 (1:30pm-3pm).  Wonder of Words Workshop (6 sessions) on May 8, 10, 12, 15, 17 and 19 (1:30-3:30pm for 8-12 years old/ 4-6pm for 13-17 years old).  Classes at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

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