Posting Postponed This Weekend (Aug. 4-5)

...to allow everyone to focus on reviewing posts and comments in preparation for the 1st long exam on Tuesday. Kindly check back on Sunday for my comments.

Good luck, everyone!

Update (Aug. 4): Going over all of your posts and comments now and noting errors I see along the way.  I need to be cryptic because I don't have all day.  Therefore, if you see "tense consistency" or "tense" in reply to your comment, go figure. ;) In any case, errors are pointed out in their order of appearance.  See you on Tuesday!


Update (Aug. 5):  Going over the entries and comments, I notice that you guys commit the same errors over and over, and so I realize it's rather pointless to comment on the grammar of your entries and comments from day 1.   After all, at the time, you didn't know any better because we hadn't discussed the common errors Filipinos usually make. (That last sentence implies that NOW YOU DO KNOW and therefore should not make the same mistakes from hereon.  It also means that should any of your comments appear in the test, you would know how to correct them. Wink.)  


Good luck!

English Language vs. Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education Program as Medium of Instruction

Medium of instruction is defined as the language used in teaching. In the Philippines, where there are more than 100 languages used across the country, medium of instruction has always been an issue. A lot of people argues of what language should be used in studying. This entry talks about two house bills discussing what medium of instruction is best for the Philippines. Would it still be the English language?

Back in 2003, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commanded the Department of Education to return English as the medium of instruction in all public and private schools in the Philippines. Surveys conducted before affirmed that between 2003 and 2007, the literacy rate of Filipinos have been firmly decreasing. This is when the House Bill 5619 or Consolidated English-Only Bill also known as The Gullas Bill became popular. Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas believes that this bill can help Filipinos raise their English proficiency and become more competitive because students' mother tongue will be used as the medium of instruction in their early years in school, from preschool to Grade 3 to be specific, but from Grade 4 to all levels of college, English should be the language of interaction. It also aims to modify the current Bilingual Education Program (BEP) of DepEd. BEP requires the use of Filipino language as the medium of instruction in academic subjects like Social Studies, Physical Education, Values Education, and Home Economics. According to Gullas, exposure is the key to mastery but the use of Filipino language somehow limits the learning exposure of the students in learning English thus, mastery is not attained.

On the other hand, previous studies found out that learning is faster and more effective with mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction. 70% of minority language students can hardly speak and comprehend English hence, it is hard for them to master their lessons. If they use language that is more familiar to them from preschool to Grade 6, however, it would be easy for them to understand what they are studying and can possibly appreciate their own cultural and language heritage. This is what Multilingual Education (MLE) is all about. MLE, also named as first-language-first education, refers to learning subjects including Math and Science with the use of students' mother tongue or first language. As they build a strong foundation in their mother tongue, they will be gradually introduced to different languages, specifically the English language.

In my own opinion, I actually think both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program would be of great help to students because they can easily develop their skills, cognitive and linguistic skills to be specific, if they are taught in a familiar language. After building a strong foundation with the use of their mother tongue, they can eventually learn different languages like English. The English language is important because it helps one country to compete with other countries around the world. The only thing that hinders me from totally agreeing to Multilingual Education Program is that studying subjects like Math and Science would be difficult with the use of first language because there are mathematical and scientific terms that do not have counterpart in other languages. Lastly, I guess, acquiring English language would not be that easy because of the fact that students were used to their mother tongue as medium of the instruction for so many years. It would be difficult for them to adjust. How about you, guys? Which do you prefer? The English Bill or the MLE Bill?

Source(s):

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/197190

http://www.sil.org/asia/philippines/ovw_mle.html

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/special-report/06/09/08/legislators-push-english-medium-instruction

Memories: i.e. and e.g.

Short cuts make long delays. Abbreviations are short cuts, too and they caused a little misunderstanding to me when I was a kid. The abbreviations I'm referring to are called "i.e." and "e.g.". The way I've reacted the first time I've seen an "e.g." in a sentence was like this:


 Renz likes to pair ketchup with almost any dish, e.g., adobo, paksiw, and dinuguan.


 "Wait! What is the meaning of this?" I cried

"E.g.? Adobo? Paksiw? Dinuguan?

The meaning of the word “e.g.” was still a big mystery to me that time. Feeling some inner urges, I researched about that word only to know that it means “example”. I once daydreamed about this matter:

“This issue seems to b clear. Why did you object?” asked the judge.

“It is clear enough to me that “e.g.” cannot possibly mean “example”, Your Honor” answered Phoenix.

“What!? How can that be possible?”  replied the judge.

"It's possible because the word "example" doesn't have the letter "g" in it. How can "e.g."  be a short cut for "example" then, Your Honor?"

I am still calming myself from the "e.g. shock" when another sentence with a different abbreviation suddenly appeared from an essay I'm reading:


Joe is planning to declare his love to a certain classmate,i.e., a crazy idea.


Compared to my example about "e.g." , this example is funnier, isn't it? No more violent reactions everyone. Soon, I found out that "i.e." is used to clarify a statement and it has  the same meaning with the phrases: that is, which is, in other words, and in essence.

Here is a tip if you're going to use "i.e." or 'e.g." in a sentence: always make sure to use commas before and after the abbreviations or else your sentence will be considered wrong. Okay?

That's it for this blog. Hoped you liked it as much as I did!






Sources and Acknowledgements:

9gag.com and Yahoo.com for the pictures

Of course, Thank you my friends and classmates for providing me the inspiration that I need.
 

Hagseub Yeong-eo, Ppillipin-ui deo Jaemiissneun! (Learning English, More Fun in the Philippines!)

Isn't odd that there so many foreigners here in the Philippines, particularly the Koreans? It's like every time I look around a public place, I see a bunch of Koreans walking around, and so, I heard they are here to study English. As I had these things in my thought, questions suddenly started to pop inside my head; why study here in the Philippines? Why study particularly English? Do we get benefits whenever they go here?

There was this one time, I inquired to one of the professors of The University of the Philippines who taught English to Koreans in the past, as to why Koreans choose the Philippines to study. According to her, Koreans choose to study English in the Philippines because the cost of education is cheap and Filipinos are more fluent in the language than any other countries, considering that English is not the native language of Filipinos. In my opinion, the two countries are not too far apart, so, why would the Koreans go out of their way to study somewhere farther when the Philippines is already within their grasp. In addition to that, Filipinos are known for being gentle and patient, which I think are the reasons why the Koreans go to the Philippines instead of other countries to study.

Why English in particular? Why do these Koreans travel out just to study English? Well, the main reason is English is widely known as the universal language. It is important to know English because it is a bridge that connects every country in the world. Not to mention, Koreans are competitive which is why learning English is not just a need anymore but already a necessity to compete with other countries.

After everything that I have written above, the Koreans do not hog all the benefits. Of course, there is still what we call a "give and take" relationship. In example, the Korean come to the Philippines as tourist to study, while the Philippines gain extra income from these tourists. Teaching English to tourists also enhances the English language usage of the mentors, at the same time; the mentors learn another language in the process. See, having all these Koreans is not all bad.  

Image sources:

http://ofwnow.com/wp-content/uploads/image/_2011/jan/korean%20studies%20english.JPG

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Students+Face+Crucial+Exams+University+-kFpiVIF5Pzl.jpg

Translation tool:

http://translate.google.com/

Speaking in Jargon

This is really common. Seriously, I always encounter people who talk this way. Mostly people who have studied in highly acclaimed schools or some boastful frustrated English speaker. 

Anyways, jargon is defined as language characterized as pretentious vocabulary and convoluted syntax and is often vague in meaning. Or a type of verbosity, even gobbledygook, where one uses queer sounding and affected words; and uncommon scientific or mathematical terms to show their intellectual prowess from the rest.

I can accept it if it were that way, but it isn't. When they talk, it’s always a bunch of physics side notes here, a serving of incorrect algebraic formulas there, and grandiloquent sprinkles. And that in the end, what they said doesn't make any sense to you, so you just nod like you understand.

Jargon can take form as a terminology or an explanation in a simple conversation or essay. Such as, tech jargon.

Scientific or academic jargon.

Or even conversational jargon.

Another thing, is that this way of talking is now, as the colloquialism suggests, “trending”. Popularized by internet memes, status updates, and downright mockery or insults when commenting. Also, people have this notion that by talking this way it makes other people think you're open-minded, or out of the norm.

I want to clarify that I am not against people who talk this way. Some of them might have a tendency to become incomprehensible when writing or explaining because of their line of work, or educational background.

However, my point is that someone might have difficulty in understanding one’s statement. So the solution is that one needs be concise; whenever talking to somebody, or when writing.

(This is Albie Gimena's blog.)

I value and respect my mother tongue, the Filipino language. This is what has been taught to me during my first few years of childhood. However, we face global competitions these days; we must be realistic and must learn to use the universal language, the English language.

As well all know, foreign investors keep coming to the Philippines to make big business transactions. If we stick to our language as medium of instructions there will be miscommunications and we may end up closing no business deals, at all. Thus, we can’t help boost our country’s economy.

Our Filipino women are doing great in the international beauty pageants and I am proud to say, I love to watch our girls, without an interpreter, answer intelligently questions in straight English with substance, poise, and confidence.

We are flattering to know that we are one of the leading countries, all over the world, who speak English so well and it should be an honor for us.

Thanks for those foreign settlers who lived with us years ago – and taught us the English language. They were patiently imparting to us the ABCs and to the Filipino mentors we had long ago, who taught our countrymen.

I am not saying after all, we will completely forget using our language. We can still use them especially when we communicate with countrymen, who are less fortunate, not to know and understood the English language. Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, said “ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa malansang isda.” It is important for all of us, to love our native language.

We, Filipinos, should know where and when to use two different languages. It is just a matter of responsibility.

Images from www. google.com

Mutual intelligibility versus mutual imbecility

I’ve always wondered why English has its reputation for being the highly regarded language of the universe. Why not the language structure of the high-class Brits that is similar to American English?  What about the intricate Latin, or maybe the poetic language of the Japanese? Like any other universally accepted concept out there, being recognized has its banes and boons. English has had its share of somewhat drastic alterations. Take for example the many faces of English in the Philippines where it is considered as our secondary language.

We’ve walked this planet long enough to have noticed that conversations using the universal language as a medium aren’t constant. More often the changes in the lingo have turned from acceptable transformations to a just plain rude way of communication. With the various twists the Filipinos have done to the English language, I would rank the Conyos and the Carabaos as the most amusing if not the most annoying transformations of the English lingo.

According to UrbanDictionary.com, “conyo” is used in our country as a semi-derogatory term for people who seem to be high-class and vain about their social status and speak in Tag-lish, or Tagalog mixed with English. This certain topic went viral on various social networking sites because apparently people found the language of the not so elite to be humorous.

You can admit that it made you smirk one way or another; I won’t judge you. The “Yaya” fever isn’t something I approve of but anyway that’s a completely different topic.

The Carabaos on the other hand are Filipinos who speak in “carabao English”. The term is used to classify people who speak English even though they have little grasp of the language. Here’s something I found on the Net that will best differentiate the Conyos from the Carabaos.

If that letter isn’t a crime against the most basic laws of grammar then I don’t know what is, and if you read through every single word on the photo then I apologize for putting you through all of that.

The whole point of showing you all this is not to discriminate nor categorize these speakers in a negative way. It is to point out that it may be comical to speak in “conyo”, in “carabao English”, or in any other Filipino-made type of the language, but it contradicts the fact that English is a tool for mutual intelligibility in our country. Perhaps speaking in “Yaya” form or sharing similar writing skills with “The sexiest Girl of D.M.” is a phase before we become natural speakers of the real English language. If so, then let’s hope that after that a decade or two there will be less of the mutations and more of the correct expression of the language of the world.


(Images from: www.twitter.com, www.google.com )

Beware Netizens, Grammar Nazis are Around

Before I start my Blog, I would like to explain what Grammar Nazis are. According to KnowYourMeme.com, Grammar Nazis also known as Grammar Police are one of those so called “trolls” of the internet. These are people who think that it is actually their duty to correct any grammar and spelling errors around the Internet.

What are their objectives for doing so?  Are they infesting the web?

In my own understanding of Grammar Nazis, their objectives for doing this are not only to enhance others’ writing skills but also to earn self-gratification in the process. They are correcting us to make us look like fools.   They believed that grammar measure one’s intelligence.  We do not realize that sometimes following the rules in grammar will express what we really want to convey.     Despite these cons, these “trolls” are playing big role in making us cautious of our grammar and spelling.  They would not surface if we are watchful of our English usage.  They remind us of how important we should take English language seriously.  The problem with us is that we do not really care about our grammar, as long as the readers understand what we mean. But sometimes others would not understand what we have written unless we use good grammar.  That is when the Grammar Nazis come and bring us heaps of embarrassment.

Though often times this Grammar Nazis are annoying somehow they can help in reducing internet slang which is very prominent nowadays and we will become more wary on the things we post in the web. 

Images from: www.Google.com.

What Happens When You Ignore Mr. Dictionary

      This is a lachrymose blog, in case you do not know what lachrymose means, by all means find a dictionary and look it up.  Go now, I am serious. This blog will still be here when you get back. I promise.

       For those of you who already know the word, bravo. For those of you who ran off and found the meaning, commendable and for those of you who did not know and did not look for it either I will just tell it to you. Lachrymose means mournful or tearful, now that all of you know what it means let us get straight to what this blog is about.

       As a student, I encounter the dictionary in an everyday basis, but now I question myself if whether I paid much attention to it.

       I still remember the first dictionary I had, it was small and red with poor paper quality, and I rarely opened it until I graduated from elementary and threw it away for a new, much thicker, and scholarly one. Then again I let it sit on my desk for three years before I opened it again and realized how much knowledge I missed in all those years I neglected to even open my rusty old dictionary.

       I face dilemmas such as; until now I do not know all the pronunciation symbols in my dictionary so I always depend on the Internet to tell me how a particular word is pronounced. I have trouble in my spelling and my diction is greatly affected because of my poor vocabulary. My hobby, which is reading, is also difficult because I sometimes find simple words to be clueless and I have to repeatedly consult my dictionary. 

       I am clearly suffering the consequences of my actions, so I could conclude that ignoring the "wordy" book should never be in one's to-do list.

Images from: www.Google.com.