“Sa aking mga kabata”

Language = identity

Group 11

BSMT 3.1

Manese, Bradley Jayce F.

Lauresta, Jhon Carlo

Liwanag, Marcus Owen

Velarde, Johnmark

Toledo, Honey Kenth

Sucia, John Kenneth

Pagal, Harold

De Silva, Antonio
“Sa aking mga kabata”

There are recent controversies about the Filipino language and how people neglect the

importance of it. The Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands with over 170 dialects. There are

possibilities of extinction of languages, we can lose them one by one. How we can stop it? By

recalling our national hero José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda's poem “Sa aking

mga kabata” we will remember the importance of the Filipino language to us Filipinos and to

our country and how a language is a nation’s identity. This paper also discusses some of the

controversial issues pertaining to the Filipino language: Is the usage of native language

declining? Is the Philippine native language endangered? Digital language affecting the Filipino

language? Effects of Globalization on our language and identity. Korean language to be included

in public schools. Before we embark on these contrpversies, first, we should learn about Rizal’s

poem.

"Sa Aking Mga Kabata" is a poem written by Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, when

he was only eight years old. The main focus of the poem is on the idea that the youth are the

hope of the nation's future. Rizal expresses the importance of preserving and nurturing the

Filipino language, culture, and traditions. The poem encourages unity among the youth,

emphasizing that they should love their native language and be proud of their heritage. It's a

call to the youth to strive for knowledge, to be responsible and virtuous citizens, and to work

towards the betterment of their country.

By the first stanza, Rizal wants to love our language because this is a gift from above that we

should respect and be grateful for. This is a blessing to us Filipinos that like other nationalities

we are gifted with what we have. Rizal was motivated and dedicated to writing this poem

during the time of Spanish colonialism because even though we are under their colony he did

realize that loving our own language is a step towards liberty. As Rizal says he correlated it to a

bird that can freely fly up in the sky, it has a will to fly wherever it wants to go and whatever it

wants to do. But if the bird is in howl like us, Filipinos, who cannot stand for what we believe is

right, we will never experience independence.

“Sa aking mga kabata”

In the second stanza, he implies that a nation that loves God-given language and also loves

freedom. This language is the final judge and also references that upon people in the land

where it holds and sway.

Being a Filipino who loves his mother tongue and fighting for his own freedom seems like a bird

“lumilipad nang pagkataas-taas para sa mas malawak na liliparan”, that a person who can

preserve his own marks for his liberty, as a man can preserve his independence. Language is not

merely a communicating tool to another but an expression of one identity, by the an individual

and social consciousness. And without common identity, there could be no real sense of our

nation. Just love and always use of that we give of one native tongue one of the badges of a

true patriot.

A Filipino who has a passion for his mother tongue will surely defend his freedom, most likely

similar to a bird "Lumilipad ng pagkataas- taas para sa mas malawak na liliparan" a person who

keeps freedom, keeps sovereignty. Again Language is not just a communication tool but an

identification of oneself and benevolence. Without a usual identification, there wouldn't be a

sense of nationhood. Passion and making use of one's mother tongue are most common proof

of a true nationalist

In the succeeding stanza, Rizal compares the person who doesn't love his native tongue to a

putrid fish. Just like a fish which originally lives in water, stinks every time it goes out of its

place. This is akin to some Filipinos we observe, who, upon arriving in foreign lands and

adopting foreign languages and cultures, tend to forsake their own. They become arrogant,

looking down upon their fellow countrymen, even though their Filipino identity remains

evident. This behavior makes them appear foolish and shameful. In the final two lines of the

third stanza, Rizal implored us to treasure our own language, recognizing it as a valuable asset

to our nation.

In the last stanza, he implies that we have our own characteristics and has a distinction from

other nation. We have Filipino blood running through our veins, because we are Filipino and we

should be proud. Our language and our culture shall not be doomed by any challenges.

here are some recent issues and controversies pertaining to the Filipino language:
“Sa aking mga kabata”

Is the Philippine native language endangered? According to the article entitled “Our languages

are in trouble, so what?” The world has about 6,000 languages. More than half of them are

endangered and could be extinct by the end of the century. The Philippines is no exception,

with many of its native languages in decline. In addition, the article stated that Philippines is

one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world with 175 languages it has about 3%

of the world’s languages, yet only 0.2% of Earth’s land area. In other words, the Philippines is

about 15 times more diverse than average. However, can this statement from the article prove

that the Philippines’s native language is endangered? How do you know if the language is

endangered or not? UNESCO (United Nation Education, Scientific Cultural Organization) takes

notes on how to know if the language is extinct. language where there is a break in

intergenerational transfer is endangered. That means if parents are not passing their mother

tongue to their child, then the language is endangered. Other signs of endangerment are when

people develop a negative attitude toward their language, use their language in fewer and

fewer aspects of their lives, or the proportion of speakers declines. Considering these signs,

there are actually many more vulnerable Philippine languages than the officially published

numbers. According to Villasin-young, There has been mounting concern about Philippine

languages. In addition to this according to Ethnologue 2022 report, Out of Philippines 175

indigenous languages 25 are now endangered and 11 are on the brink of extinction. The crisis is

not confined locally. About 3,000 ILs worldwide are endangered – basically connoting that

fewer community members are speaking their language, especially the younger generation. In

addition UNESCO initiated the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) to

preserve ILs, with a Global Action Plan encouraging multi-stakeholder partnerships. Based on

Dr. Ngales, education on Indigenous culture is crucial for cultural heritage literacy. Ngales, a

Kankana-ey Igorot, believes there should be a thorough understanding of IPs besides the

cultivation of sensitivity and sympathy for them. She strongly advocates for training and

immersion of volunteers from different sectors and teachers, who directly interact with IP

students in rural communities. On the other hand University of Philippines-Baguio professor

and historian Joao Paolo Regalado gives an opinion on how well maintained the native language

in the cordillera. successful IL revitalization and maintenance highly depends on sustainable

“Sa aking mga kabata”

community-based initiatives, empowerment, and maximizing IP communities’ inherent cultural

strengths – as what he realized from his Cordillera field research on I’uwak and I-Karao.

Reginaldo also cited community solidarity and a sense of pride in effectively transmitting

language and culture to the next generation. This proves not all the native languages here in

the Philippines are not totally extinct.

With the advent of digital platforms, social media, and texting have come new linguistic forms

and slang terms like "jejemon" and "bekimon," which have sparked a lot of discussions and

worries. The main concern is how these informal language variants can affect how the Filipino

language should be used and the demise of long-standing linguistic conventions. This has

become a problem due to a number of reasons:

Language and National Pride: Language and national pride are strongly related concepts. The

national language of the Philippines, Filipino, acts as a bridge between the various ethnic

groups and languages that make up the nation. When informal language variants like "jejemon"

and "bekimon" become widely used, it might be argued that they deviate from the accepted

standard of Filipino, potentially weakening the nation's linguistic legacy and identity.

Language Degradation: Opponents of these informal language variations contend that they

might aid in the deterioration of the quality of the language, raising the possibility of

communication and comprehension issues. Effective communication relies heavily on language,

and when language standards are warped or fragmented, it can make it difficult to

communicate clearly and meaningfully.

Education and literacy: Some people are concerned that the rise of informal language usage

would have a negative effect on educational and literacy standards. If students see these

variances more frequently, they may experience difficulties with formal writing and

communication, which may have larger repercussions for their success in school and in the

workplace.

Language Standardization: The efforts to standardize and protect the Filipino language are

hampered by the introduction of new language forms. The maintenance of consistency and
“Sa aking mga kabata”

clarity in communication across a variety of areas, such as education, government, business,

and the media, requires language standardization.

Language-Based Social Differences: The use of informal language variations can produce

linguistically-based social differences. Some online discussions and forums may feel exclusive to

or inaccessible to those who are less familiar with or accepting of these new formats.

On the other hand, those who support these informal language changes contend that they

show linguistic inventiveness and evolution. Language has always changed over time as culture

and communication tools have changed. These variants may illustrate how flexible language is

and how it may change depending on the situation.

Influence of Technology: The rapid development of social media, digital platforms, and texting

has drastically altered how people interact. Language has had to change to accommodate these

new forms of communication as character restrictions, emoticons, and shorthand have become

commonplace.

Generational Differences: Different age groups frequently adopt informal language forms

differently. While older generations may view these variances with skepticism or alarm,

younger generations may be more accepting of them.

Overall, the problem posed by the spread of informal dialects like "jejemon" and "bekimon" is

complex. It touches on linguistic, social, cultural, and educational issues, and it illustrates the

constant conflict between language evolution and the maintenance of linguistic traditions.

Careful study of language use and adaptation in the digital age is necessary to strike a balance

between these issues.

Language Identity and Globalization: Globalization has brought increased exposure to English

and other languages, leading to concerns about the influence of foreign languages on the

Filipino language's vitality and identity. There's a need to promote the value of using Filipino

while acknowledging the importance of multilingualism.

Language is the embodiment of our nationality and ethnicity which portrays our cultural

identity. Globalization affects our cultural identity by influencing us Filipinos in a variety of

different foreign languages which leads to disregarding the importance and value of our
“Sa aking mga kabata”

national language. This needs to really address and serve a lot of focus to protect and promote

our social and cultural norms in order to preserve them for the next generations.

In an article from Inquirer.net, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Korean Embassy

entered into an agreement last June 21 to launch a Korean language program at public high

schools in the country which will be initially implemented in 10 selected public high schools in

Metro Manila this year. However, there are a number of factors that the DepEd is considering,

including the availability of qualified teachers, the cost of textbooks and other teaching

materials, and the level of student interest. In 2018, DepEd announced that it was considering

adding the Korean language to the list of foreign languages that are offered in high school. The

decision was made in response to the growing popularity of Korean culture in the Philippines. In

addition, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said that the program will create more opportunities

for a strong and sustained relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

Jose Rizal's poem "Sa Aking Mga Kababata" is not totally against foreign languages. However,

the poem can be interpreted as a call to love and cherish our own Language, the Filipino

Language, and to be wary of the influence of foreign languages and their culture. In the poem,

Rizal writes "Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda" Rizal is

telling us that language is a part of our identity and that it is important to preserve. Our

language is our identity, it is one of many distinctions that separates us from other countries.

Language sustains the existence of culture. Our mother language is the Filipino language and it

has a crucial role in the development of one's personality. He is warning us about the dangers

of adopting a foreign language too much which can lead to the loss of our own culture and

heritage. In today's world, the Korean Language, Globalization, influences of digital platforms,

and problems with the Philippine native languages are not a threat to the Filipino Language. But

we should be careful not to lose our own language and culture in the process of learning new

languages and adapting to modernity. We can still preserve the 120 to 187 languages in our

country by giving importance to them. We as Filipinos should embrace being Filipino. The
“Sa aking mga kabata”

youth should be aware of our culture, and our languages as they are the ones who carry it into

the future.
“Sa aking mga kabata”

Coinsbit.io/?utm_source=bty&utm_medium=cc&utm_campaign=nm

https://aboutcagayandeoro.com/korean-language-included-ph-public-high-school-curriculum/?

fbclid=IwAR3iDml25Y19LfOb-38tkLVIZAJ0AlI73-2q7QkDQoVSef8KDoBLAtYjYIg#:~:text=In%20an

%20article%20from%20Inquirer,in%20Metro%20Manila%20this%20year

https://studymoose.com/interpretation-of-the-poem-sa-aking-mga-kabata-essay

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/239109-philippine-languages-in-trouble-so-

what

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/239109-philippine-languages-in-trouble-so-

what/?fbclid=IwAR08xBVJ6kPCJUCYokEvJbjT1DWnnVjt9V4pHqlIRv6mHVaVXFhalNXh7qk

https://malaya.com.ph/news_living/saving-our-endangered-indigenous-languages/

Allan, K. R. (2014). Marshall McLuhan and the counterenvironment:“The medium is the

massage”. Art Journal, 73(4), 22-45.

Romaine, S. (2000). Language in society: An introduction to sociolinguistics. OUP Oxford.