National Language Month
NATIONAL Language Month (Buwan ng Wika or Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa) kicks off today with a flag raising ceremony. The annual celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1041 signed on February 15, 1997. National Language Month also pays tribute to former President Manuel L. Quezon who is considered the Father of the National Language who was born on August 19, 1878.
Leading this year’s celebration of Buwan ng Wika with the theme “Filipino: Wika ng Karunungan is the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino in cooperation with several other government agencies. The four sub-themes are: a) Filipino: Wika ng Edukasyon at Kalinangan (Filipino: Language of Education and Culture); b) Intektuwalisadong Wikang Pambansa, Wika ng Umuunlad na Bansa (Intellectualized National Language, Language of a Progressive Country); c) Pagsasalin: Susi sa Pagtamo at Pagpapalaganap ng mga Kaalaman at Karunungan (Key to Achieving and Propagating Knowledge and Wisdom); and d) Ang Filipino ay Wika ng Saliksik (Filipino is the Language of Research).
One of the major activities this year is the National Congress for Filipinos Intellectualization (Pambansang Kongreso sa Intelektuwalisasyon ng Filipino), slated on August 3-5 at the Teachers Camp in Baguio City. This first-ever language congress will bring together teachers, practitioners, and experts from various fields and disciplines to outline concrete steps for the use of Filipino in their respective domains.
Gabi ng Gawad on August 19 will celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of President Quezon and the 25th founding anniversary of the KWF Awards of recognition and prizes will be presented to the winners of Gawad Dangal ng Wikang Filipino, Kampeon ng Wika, Ulirang Guro sa Filipino, and Gawad KWF sa Sanaysay. Secretary Judy S. Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development will be the guest speaker. Several other activities are slated to be held throughout the country hosted by various government organizations and schools. They include the Sayaranao-Quiz Bowl Lectures in Technical Translation and Glossary Development (Lektura sa Teknikal ng Pagsasalin at Pagbuo ng Glosaryo), writing competitions, seminars, and exhibits.
Filipino as a national language is enriched by the various Philippine languages in the archipelago. An inclusive language, it binds our people as a nation. It is a vital tool for our cultural expression and for articulating our aspirations and dreams as a people. It is used in major public speeches, particularly in state of the nation addresses. Classic and great works are being translated into Filipino.
Let us keep our national language alive by enriching it. Read books and other works in the language. Make use of every opportunity to use it. Let us keep in mind that words of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal who warned: “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda.”