ENG 126 & 127

CRITICAL E SSAY

Impact of Colonial Mentality

to Filipino’s Language
and Identity
Fatima Alarde
Antonette De La Peña
Ainie Tabua

Colonial Mentality • Philippines • English

Language • Identity
 The Philippines have experienced an extensive history of colonization
under the rule of Spain, Japan and the United States which consequently have
significant implications and consequences for having these ties. According to
Caronan (2005), the definition of civilization overruling the Philippines’ own
determination of development was both projected by Spanish and American
colonizers. This definition still exists in the Philippines today through what
scholars define it as the “colonial mentality” or “internalized oppression'' as
what other scholars call it. Filipinos have developed internalized oppression or
colonial mentality even though colonialism happened ages ago, it leaves an
impact and effect towards Filipinos. The feeling of “internalized oppression” is
like the feeling of a broken hearted person because everything that has
happened might be forgiven but it will never be forgotten, it leaves an
invisible scar that only those who were oppressed or broken can feel and it
will always appear not easy to handle. It is an internal and eternal struggle
that has been passed on from one generation to the next because over the
centuries, intermarriages and acculturaturation still exist.

The Philippines may be considered a country that is very deeply

ingrained with their colonial mentality, especially in today’s youth. The
country’s pop culture, media, and lifestyle are the factors where colonial
mentality is reflected. Instead of the country that is deeply rooted in their
patriotic pride, their sense of identity, and their traditionalism, the country’s
people seem to be ashamed of its flaws and inability to cope with other more
developed countries. Filipinos seem desperate to escape their ties to their
traditions and culture. In this essay, we will explore how colonial
mentality/internalized oppression passes on in today’s generation and
evaluate whether using English language makes us less of a Filipino. This
paper will give clarification on the sense of identity of the Filipinos in regards
to having a colonial mentality and how it is reflected in their everyday lives.
 Colonial mentality is defined as the perception of ethnic and cultural
inferiority, a form of internalized oppression, that is “a specific consequence
of centuries of colonization under Spain and the U.S. and it involves an
automatic and uncritical rejection of anything Filipino and an automatic and
uncritical preference for anything American” (David and Okazaki, 2006a). In
the Philippine context and in the lense of American colonization, Filipinos
tends to fit on the standards of western style and little by little the Filipino
culture has been denied like skin color matters because for some, having
whiter skin is what being beautiful is all about that is why people of the
Philippines have been obsessed with whitening and beauty products, they
even avoid staying longer under the heat of the sun to achieve whiter skin. It
has been an automatic response for the Filipinos to patronize western
practices rather than local practices and products, they may have thought
that ascribing to American culture feels superior and that the consciousness
of being Filipino is to replicate Americans because they have colonized the
Philippines. However, this idea implies that colonial mentality has affected
the attitude and perceptions of the Filipinos towards their identity. They may
consider themselves as a Filipino because they were raised and born in the
Philippines but their practices and the culture they patronize is touched by
the nature of Spanish rule and American domination.

Filipino scholars defined the term colonial mentality as superiority,

pleasantness, or attraction that is associated with any cultural values,
behaviors, physical appearance, and objects that are American or Western. In
addition to these, the colonial mentality rejects anything that is Filipino, and
it is a form of internalized oppression (David and Okazaki, 2006a). According
to David and Okazaki (2006b, p. 241), colonial mentality is an individual-
difference variable and can be manifested in various ways such as (a)
denigration of the Filipino self (feelings of inferiority); (b) the denigration of
the Filipino culture and the perception that anything Filipino is inferior; (c)
discriminating against less-Americanized Filipinos; and (d) tolerating
historical and contemporary stereotypes that lead to the acceptance of
oppression.
 The American colonialism in the Philippines left traces or marks
towards the Filipino langauge, one of the most used and romanticized traces
is the usage of English language. An example of this is how Filipino code
switches English and Tagalog which is known as Tag-lish (Tagalog plus
English). Of course, in the international arena, being proficient in English is
an effective advantage, but so many Filipinos prefer to stick with English in
conversations rather than Filipino, this observation is seen in the Philippines
advertisements and public posters.

In the present time, the use of English in the Philippine context has
been prevalent, that even newly raised and grown up children in today’s
generation in the Philippines were spoken dollars and that most of their L1 is
English. In fact, it is difficult to find an individual who speaks pure Tagalog
fluently, one will always use English loanwords and phrases in
communicating and conveying messages. To understand it clearly, the
concept of code-switching between Tagalog and English languages are most
commonly used by Filipinos especially in informal settings like talking to your
friends or whoever that someone you can talk casually with. Formally,
English has been used as a medium of instruction in the education system, it
has been taught since elementary and most of the textbooks used were
written in English, there are also instances in the classroom that English only
policy has been imposed and whoever speaks their mother tongue will pay
fines. Moreover, in looking for a job, applications and resumes are written in
English and even during job interviews English is the medium used.

Due to this phenomenon, many people would question their sense

of identity of being a Filipino because more and more people were drawn to
becoming fluent in speaking, understanding and communicating in English as
this will make them competent in the international market. It is not our fault
that we used English more often than other Philippine languages because
adapting the language of the colonizers is one of the Philippines'
consequences under the history of colonialism. In order for us to understand
why English is prevalent in today's generation, we must look back at how the
Philippines assimilated with the colonizers as a way of surviving and being
felt not to be discriminated against for being illiterate with their language,
culture, way of living and style.
 American colonization does not only refer to English language and
how it is continuously used from the day of colonization up to the present
time. It does not only refer to language that they brought to the periphery
(colonized) but rather it is a total package that includes their language and
culture. This is what colonial mentality is all about, it is a general concept
that talks about the entire impacts of colonization towards the colonized.
According to Decena (2014) colonial mentality is the perception of ethnic and
cultural inferiority and a form of internalized racial oppression. The physical
traits are reminders of colonialism, pervasive within the Filipino community
including the frequent use of the English language and the denial of the
Filipino language. Because of the colonial relationship between the United
States and Philippines, Filipinos are accustomed to American culture and
English language (Salazar, Schludermann, Schludermann, and Huynh, 2000).

In connection with the idea of colonial mentality, we have the

concept of discrimination which was associated with the term oppression.
Discrimination is simply distinguishing a particular thing from another. Now
when we talk discrimination as a social issue, we always tend to refer in
distinguishing between population groups defined by specific characteristics
such as race, religion, national origin, gender, political opinions, class, and
sexual orientation, and also treating groups differently as a result. For our
own purposes, discrimination then now is the denial of rights, opportunities,
or even freedom to one or more groups that other groups in the society enjoy.
A type of discrimination that is carried to its extreme is what we called
oppression. Oppressed people are not only discriminated against, but are also
subject to physical and psychological brutality, and even occasionally
genocide and sometimes for disobeying or displeasing those who are in
power, and also to discourage to change their conditions that is sometimes
out of pure hatred. Now what is internalized oppression? It is a concept in
social justice in which an oppressed group uses the methods of the oppressing
group against itself. Internalized oppression occurs when one group perceives
an inequality of value that is relative to another group, and desires to be like
the more highly-valued group. It may also exist among immigrants and their
descendants because if the host community devalues a foreigner’s ethnic
origin, native language or culture, and immigrant may feel inferior. This can
result in self-hatred which manifests itself in an exaggerated conformity to
dominant norms.
 So how does internalized oppression pass on in today’s generation?
It is because when people are targeted, discriminated against, and oppressed
over a period of time, they often internalize or believe and make part of their
self-image the myths and misinformation that society communicates to them
about their group. For example, exploited peasants might internalize the ideas
that they cannot do any other kind of work, that their lives were meant to be
as they are, and that they are worthless than those people with wealth or
education. Women might internalize the stereotypes that they are not good
at Math and Science, or people of color might internalize the myth that they
are not good workers. Filipinos might internalize that speaking English,
sounding and looking like foreigners, and being on trend will make them feel
less and worthy. When people from targeted groups internalize myths and
misinformation, it can cause them to feel that in some way they are
inherently not as capable, intelligent, worthy, beautiful, etc. as people outside
their group. They will then turn the experience of oppression or
discrimination inward. Internalized oppression still exists up until today
because of the misinformation and myths that were internalized and passed
on by generations and also we lack something and that is supporting and
taking pride in celebrating our own culture because we often support and
fantasize the Western culture.

Although highly Americanized Filipinos may also be discriminated

against or ridiculed by other Filipino Americans by labeling of the highly
Americanized ones as “White-washed,” “coconuts” (brown on the outside, but
White on the inside), or “sell-outs,” it is unlikely that such attitudes and
behaviors are due to colonial mentality. It is more likely that Filipinos who
hold such attitudes are reacting differently to colonization or oppression. That
is, instead of internalizing and accepting their alleged inferiority as
individuals with colonial mentality are argued to have reacted, individuals
who ridicule the sellouts are believed to be doing so because of their extreme
pride for being Filipino. Thus, this type of within-group discrimination is not
considered as a manifestation of colonial mentality, which generally means
the perception of inferiority toward one’s ethnicity or culture (David and
Okazaki, 2006a).
CONCLUSION

Colonial mentality is defined as the perception of ethnic and cultural

inferiority, and a form of internalized oppression, a specific consequence of
centuries of colonization under Spain and US. In the context of the
Philippines and in the lens of American colonization, Filipinos tend to fit in
the standards of Western style and little by little the Filipino has been denied.
Therefore, we conclude that colonial mentality or internalized oppression is
still prevalent until today because it is passed on by generation to generation
simply by targeting, discriminating, and oppressing someone or a group of
people over a period of time, oppressed people will often internalize or believe
and make part of their self-image, the myths and misinformation that society
communicate to them about their group. In the present time, the use of
English in the Philippine context has been prevalent and considered as an
asset especially in the international market, English is now considered as the
economic language, we dwell in speaking English for work, finances,
education, and whatnot.

With all being said, it is still not an excuse to not teach the young
generation our local languages because these languages shape and reflect our
identity and we cannot afford to let these languages die. American
colonization does not only refer to English language and how it is
continuously used but rather it is a package that includes their language and
culture. Colonial mentality is the general concept that talks about the entire
impacts of colonization towards the colonized. Thus the physical traits are
reminders of colonialism and the sense of identity of some or even mostly
Filipinos of having a colonial mentality is still prevalent. We can see how
Filipinos are very fascinated with having white skin and how are we so
obsessed with whitening products, we tend to patronize Western practices
rather than local practices and products for the reason that we thought that
ascribing to American culture feels superior and this is because of the myths
and misconceptions we heard and wrongly learned.
 Intermarriages and acculturation are two factors that affect Filipino
identity and development of the sense of colonial mentality. Over the years,
people are becoming more accustomed to choosing what they want,
especially the kind of culture that they want to participate in and portray
themselves. In line with this, discussions on language and identity among
Filipinos are still on the top list that needs to be addressed and colonial
mentality in this sense plays a big role. With the presence of colonial
mentality in the attitudes of the Filipinos, the consciousness of the people
regarding their identity is arguable because what was being registered in the
mind affects one's behavior. If a person thinks that it was the colonizers fault
that we keep on questioning our identity and keep using their language as
imposed by them, most probably that person will never understand that
colonialism in the country is part of growth and development. This paper
concludes that it is the perception and attitude of the Filipinos that needs to
be changed because the concept of colonial mentality matters only on how a
person conditioned his/her mind because at the end of the day, we become
what we think.
References

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Decena, A. (2014). Identity, Colonial Mentality, and Decolonizing the Mind:

Exploring Narratives and Examining Mental Health Implications for
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Retrieved: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/769/

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