Celebrating the Diversity of Filipino Culture Through Indigenous Languages

Every year, the Philippines celebrates the “Buwan ng Wika” (Language Month) in August.

PHOTO: IGOROT PEOPLE IN BENGUET (VIA https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ6VYZdhJ3KXisuMpcyrcKgNrPX5ew9dDhMrXgeFi2pJc/Screenshot_1.jpg )

The year 2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL), and to promote Philippines’ own indigenous languages, this year’s Buwan ng Wika celebration emerged with the theme “WIKANG KATUTUBO: Tungo sa Isang Bansang Filipino”. Languages play a crucial role in the lives of people. It is the most common form of communication that allows us to socialize and educate, and serves as an identity of oneself.

The Philippines has more than a hundred languages currently in use, and unfortunately, some are slowly “dying” due to the dwindling number of its speakers. There are languages that are being spoken only by at least a few hundred people. When the last speaker of a language dies without spreading it to the next generation, it will disappear—forever.

Thankfully, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) decided to use WIKANG KATUTUBO: Tungo sa Isang Bansang Filipino” as the theme. This is a part of an effective implementation of national programs the continuous development, enrichment, and dissemination of indigenous languages ​​that will contribute to the greater well-being and national development of Filipinos. Furthermore, it would raise the preservation of the indigenous languages as a priority concern of the government and might pave way for its inclusion in current school curriculum.

With the growing influence of foreign culture in our country, we should also look at our own as people of the Republic of the Philippines—and we would see a nation of unique identity thriving amidst changing times.