My Reflections (Just for the second semester, really)

Yes, and  another semester passed by – what can I say? I had a lot of happy moments, even sad ones and lo, I did even achieve something just before the finish line. Today, I was one of the ‘accidental’ contestants for the solo singing contest of U.P. Namnama held at the Vigan Cultural and Trade Center. I was having a noon siesta when Sir Jeron suddenly called on my poor old Nokia phone directing me to see him at once and join the U.P. Namnama contest. What can I do? I had to jump from my daydreaming moments to rush from Santa to Vigan. Well, to cut the story short, I ended up joining the contest and happily ended it up with another gold medal. Thanks for the all the ISNHS support, despite having my scheduled review  for the second grading exam totally gone blue, not to mention I just came from a three-day seminar on Journalism held at Pangasinan. Don’t even tell me I got enough rest. I just wish exams for tomorrow would be like singing and please, help me pray for some considerations hehehe…

So second semester for me is another history learned and worth remembering for. High school life is really full of challenges and I do believe on what most often say that it is actually the happiest stage of ones life, in terms of personal development, academic growth and social enhancement. It added up again another ounce of better perspectives and brighter hopes. Though ups and downs seemed inevitable and roughly made a normal balance, it is a priceless experience. I take pride in everything I do and though I made some mistakes, I believe it is all part of growing up. Second semester is what I made and second semester made me better for the third semester. It is always a moment of joy when I recall that somehow I have made it through all the hardships and not to mention those mind blogging investigatory projects and no-weekend-rest (until now) because of our Journalism  training and seminars. Frankly, don’t knives get sharper when often used? I love everything about second semester and I look forward to completing the third – with even better results.

And yes, I love ISNHS!

              

Digital Literacy Through English Proficiency

I was just wondering what is the connection between being so skilled, or at least, having a basic technical know-how in the realms of digital computing has something to do with being proficient first in the English language? Yes, you heard me right and again, how does one ordinary end-user be required first to be knowledgeable in English before tapping the keyboard? It is by profound requisite that for someone to become technically able in the field of computing, one must also be academically proficient, at least, in the English language? Now, how is that so? It sounds like English 101 book should also come with the computer’s manual. I may be right, after all most manuals are written in English.

To make the issue more confusing, take this simple test yourself. Get your cellphone and scribble some text messages for your friend of at least 150 characters. Now notice how you abbreviate those words, misspell almost everything just to shorten the craft and even go beyond to creating your own words and lingos which are out of this world but, surprisingly, your friend understands the message. What is even more mind boggling is when your friend replies with an even longer message without any vowel from the English alphabet at all, and yes you do understand too – without even blinking. But this malpractice of texting using ‘alien words’ has created difficulties among students and the general public of using the correct and grammatically accepted English words. Errors such as misspelled words in formal letters and other written communications were unconsciously made out from the hobby of using such words in texting. So technology can sometimes make a sharp mind dull after all. What about using the computer, does it make us dull too or sharpen our minds? For me, it could do both. One notable thing is that almost everybody could write a nice composition without any worries of misspelled words because some software applications like MS Words and the like could automatically correct the spelling of the words you type. It’s hassle-free but indeed it lessens your vocabulary as you would no longer be able to write on paper without worrying if your words are spelled right. On the other hand, the urge to maximize the use the computer needs also an appropriate knowledge of certain language, not necessarily an expert and in our case – the English language.

Now to coin achieving digital literacy through English proficiency is somewhat unsubstantial in terms of general implication. It is somewhat a misleading information if used for global push. The theme can not be used worldwide but works wonderfully in localized zones where English language is a common tongue. To put it simply, digital computing using English applications can not find its way out in countries or regions where people doesn’t read, write, speak or understand English. This is the main reason why hardware and software developers have localized their services according to language. No wonder why most applications require the user to choose language of use before installing the application itself. It is a basic language interface. The use of English language in the Philippines is indispensable. It is a basic tool. Proficiency to it even dictates your understanding on how computers work. The reason behind this is simple. Computer manufacturers have made every bit of instruction and interface in computing to be more user-friendly and English-command-executory. This is why we see plain English language in every software applications rather than program algorithms and machine languages. If you do not know how to read and do not understand what you are reading, then you are at a lost. One example header command is the word ‘Menu’. For an ordinary person it would surely mean something else from a restaurant. But this word constitute something where various commands and set of instructions are enclosed –in plain English. So how to expand your knowledge on English language? One sure way is to BLOG, and I mean digitally.