Our famous national hero, Dr, Jose Rizal, once said 'Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay daig pa ang malansang isda'. How true this adage is depends on a case to case basis, I think. I mean it doesn't apply in all cases or circumstance at any given place or locality but generally in a certain country where majority speaks one common language - this matters. Our national language is Filipino and I should be posting using Filipino here instead, but since technicalities require an academic English, so English language then is used. Well, Filipino language is a predominant language here in our country. Even in abroad, such is very obvious where Filipinos recognize each other of same race simply upon hearing someone speaking Filipino. Despite language globalization and ethnic differences, we are all united with one common tongue. Here in Ilocos, Yloco is the local language, yet per observation, many local residents assumed talking Filipino during free conversations and public speaking engagements. The mixing of local tongue and national language seemed inherent and contagious. Although English language counts to be easily understood even by a third grader, the Filipino language stands widely used in the country. In deed we are all united in one tongue and hopefully gain genuine peace through common understanding.
Speaking in a language commonly used in a locality saves a lot of hassles. It creates an atmosphere of common air and defers unnecessary misunderstanding. It is also creates a bond of familiarity and removes the feeling of strangeness. So how do we employ better understanding then? Well, a famous philosopher also said that when you are in Rome, you should also act as a Roman. Implied and true enough, learning the basic language of the area or place where you want to visit always gives you the edge of avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Here in Ilocos, the freedom of speech is widely recognized to the extent that new generation parlance and lingos fuse up ethnic words. Keeping in mind our mother tongue also gives us unprecedented advantages - it's a basic foundation of who we are! Ket anya pay ngarud ti makunak, agpapatang tayon a ti Iloco para lahat ay masaya, gets niyo?
