Kahrylle Francheska M.

Mansubre AB English Language 1A

Activity 1. Write about the spread of ‘New Englishes’ in Southeast Asian countries. Be
concise but clear in your discussion.

The presence of New Englishes in Southeast Asian countries can be deemed as

somewhat of an influence of British (or American) colonial past. Though they are not
historically continuous forms of English, they spread in multilingual societies, where
English there is considered as a “second language” or “additional language”. Moreover,
these forms of English are typically present in almost every field of the society in a
multilingual setting, from public to private life; spoken by people of different ages,
professions, and places of residence. It also commonly develops in states where English
is taught in primary education and is the medium of instruction. New Englishes and its
spread can be seen as a result of modernization and technological advancements, as
well as other sociopolitical and sociolinguistic dynamics.

Activity 2. What is the role and status of English in the Philippines? Do some quick
internet research to find out how English came to have an official status in the Philippines.
Then, be able to write a paragraph about it.

Unlike most postcolonial nations, the Philippines inherited English from the
Americans rather than the British. Accordingly, with American endeavors to make English
the second language of the Philippines, within just a few decades, English had become
a fundamental part of the Philippine society, and not even independence from the United
States could undo the developments of linguistic assimilation that stuck through the
country. Thus, presently, English plays an important role as one of the country’s
languages, utilized as a medium in different forms of communication such as the print
and broadcast media, as well as its vibrant artistic and literary scene. Furthermore, even
in the country’s educational system – the status of English is evident as one of the two
primary languages used as a medium of instruction and taught as a subject from primary
school to tertiary level.
Activity 4. In NOT MORE than two (2) paragraphs, briefly discuss your answers to the
following questions: (a) David Crystal (2003) says that “a language achieves a genuinely
global status when it develops a special role that is recognized in every country.” What is
the special role of English in the Philippines? What are the factors that led English to take
on its national status? (b) How do you feel about the role and status of English in the
Philippines?

As a result of the Philippines being a colony of the United States between 1898
and 1946, even after the country’s declared independence the threads of linguistic
assimilation couldn’t be severed. Hence, up until now English remains to be an integral
part of local life and culture in the Philppines, serving as a means of communication in a
variety of different fields. It’s a dominant language in both public and private lives of
people in the Philippines: it is used not only as a tool for learning and a medium of
instruction but also in commerce, law, politics, print and broadcast media.

English will always be a language that possesses great influence in the Philippines,
from our ability to speak, read and write the language to its roles in society. As English is
a global language, I feel as though its advantageous to be able to fully have
comprehension as well as proficiency in English. Though despite English having roles
and status in the Philippines, I know that as Filipinos, we’ll always make use of our mother
tongue as a part of our identity and a direct access to our cultural heritage – which I doubt
will ever be forgotten despite the changes that time will bring. English is and will remain
as common working language that can connect us to the rest of the world.

Activity 5. What are your key takeaways from this lesson? Explain briefly.

English is a language that possesses roles in different fields as well as for those
who consider it as a “second language”; it gave language new variants that led to the rise
of “New Englishes”. It can fully partake in public functions in the societies which use them,
e.g., in education, the media, politics and in most domestic functions. Despite its functions
there would appear to be no country in which a New English has replaced any native
language that may be present.