An online reader of my weekly column in The Philippine Star persistently questions my use of the UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino, published by the University of the Philippines and Anvil Publishing in 2001, as the authoritative source of words in Filipino. The book is admittedly not perfect, but since the University of the Philippines is internationally recognized as the leading university in the Philippines and since Anvil Publishing has been named several times as Publisher of the Year by the Manila Critics Circle, it is the best dictionary that we have so far of the Filipino language.
A more complete dictionary of Filipino, prepared by University of the Philippines professor Ernesto A. Constantino, is still in the process of publication, though an abridged version for students is available - The Contemporary English-Filipino Dictionary (published by the EAC Center for Philippine Languages in 1999).
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3 comments:
Hello sir,
Tanong ko lang po kung naaalala nyo pa ba ang isang artikulo sinulat nyo noon sa Philippine Star tungkol sa -- Third World Cinema, at ang dahilan kaya gustong gusto ng International Film(fest) Community ang mga pelikulang Pilipino (e.g. Obrapronobis ni Brocka at ngayon Foster ni Jeffrey Jeturian) ay dahil pinapakita nito ang impresyon ng First world sa Third world experience bilang kawawa, mahirap, etc. - at ang paggawa ng mga Pilipino ng ganoong klaseng pelikula ay isang di-namamalayang paraan natin para patuloy na kawawain ang sarili?
-- Parang ganun po ang pagkakaalala ko sa tema ng artikulo nyo, tama po ba?
Pwede nyo po ba i post ulit ang artikulo na ito? O maari ko po ba malaman kailan ito lumabas? San po kaya ako pwede makakuha ng kopya nito?
Maari ko rin po ba malaman ang inyong opinyon sa pelikulang Foster na dinirek ni Jeturian at bnigyan ng 15-minute standing ovation sa Cannes?
Kinakawawa ba natin ang sarili natin - bilang Pilipino - sa paggawa ng ganitong pelikula? O pinapakita lang ba natin ang "current social,economic truth/ills?"
Salamat po.
medy_barto@yahoo.com
I think the UP Diksiyonaryong Pilipino is a big step towards popularizing a language that is slowly being eroded by globalism. Its not until you go out of the Philippines that you begin to realize its importance and the need to learn this in greater detail.
I do hope that instead of compiling statistical evidence on how proficient are we in the English language, we focus on how adept we are in our own language.
Japan, has just completed its yearly school assessment as regards its students comprehension of their own language - nihonggo. Their results showed a declining trend in students' mastery of the language. I think we should do this also, not only for English but especially for Filipino.
I just recently found out the value of nurturing the mother tongue. I am hoping to find fellowmen who aim to uplift the meaning of the Filipino language and the beauty of what was once called Alibata to strengthen the Filipino in anchoring himself to a true culture. One that is untained. One that is authentic.
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