THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE IN MY CULTURAL IDENTITY

One great thinker made the following statement,

"Language defines a person."

I do subscribe to this quotation without qualm. Indeed, my Mother Tongue, Filipino, reflects my identity particularly in the cultural aspect. It depicts my customs and lifestyle. It portrays my values and beliefs. It reveals my history and ancestry. It represents my ideals and aspirations as a Filipino. And it identifies my place of origin.

In the Filipino language, one may observe that there is a frequent usage of "po" and "Opo". These two words right here are used when talking to parents or someone older than you. It signifies courtesy. One is considered rude if he/she disregards these two when interacting with the above-mentioned people. It's customary. It's the Filipino style of life.

Values such as hospitality and loyalty are also emphasized in the Filipino language. To show hospitality, Filipinos have this expression " Kain tayo", which means " Come. Let's eat." To show loyalty on the other hand, Filipinos say " Kung saan ka masaya, susuportahan kita." It's English equivalent would be " Whatever makes you happy. I'll be here to support you."

Furthermore, Filipino people tend to be more fate-oriented most of the time. And this is very apparent in the language. If pressures and problems come in, they face it with the expression "Bahala na!" which is tantamount to "What will be will be!"

History and ancestry are also seen in the Filipino language. It's being a mixed language is what proves it. Filipino is 30% Spanish, 10% Malayo and Bahasa, 5% Japanese, 5% English and 50% Tagalog and other dialects in the country. This comes into being because of the immigration of the Malays and Indones as the first inhabitants of the islands of the Philippines and the colonization of the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese.

The Filipino language also represents my ideals and aspirations as a young Filipino. It reveals my passion for simplicity and diversity as it reveals it's own.

And finally, this Mother Tongue of mine is what makes me a true-blooded Filipino as it confirms the fact that I am a proud aborigine of the one-and-only Pearl of the Orient Seas, the Philippines.