The spread of English around the world has offered us a diverse range of varieties of English.
Within the framework of Postcolonial English varieties, I have investigated the Philippine variety of English, which was a result of and emerged from its colonial background.
In Braj Kachru’s model of World English dialects, Philippine English belongs to what are called the ‘outer circle’ countries and is used in the major institutions as a legacy of colonisation. As a result, English has a great historical importance and serves as a lingua franca between the different ethnic and language groups.
To fully understand the make-up of Philippine English, we need to take a look at the derivation and spread of the language. Aside from introducing general facts about the country, I will examine the origins of the language and the arrival of English in Philippine history. Furthermore, I will briefly explore the present-day language situation, especially the different local languages and the code-switching or code-mixing between the two official languages Filipino and English. By looking at the characteristic features of Philippine English, I want to show the general, phonological, morpho-syntactical and lexical differences from General American English. Finally, I want to discuss the significance of Philippine English for a teacher of foreign languages and to draw conclusions regarding the impact of English on the Philippines.
II. Basic facts
The Philippines are located in Southeast Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The land has an area of 298,170 km² and is slightly larger than Arizona. The Philippines consist of 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, of which only eleven are bigger than 2500 km². The biggest islands are: Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, Mindoro, Panay and Palawan. Only 1000 islands are bigger than 1 km². An estimated population of 91,077,287 (July 2007) lives in the Philippines. The capital of the Philippines is Manila and the largest town is Quezon City. Religious affiliations include Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6% and none 0.1% (2000 census). In addition to a mixture of religions there are also several languages. The two official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, but about 180 languages and dialects exist on the island.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Basic facts
- III. History
- 3.1 Negritos
- 3.2 Spanish Colonization
- 3.3 Arrival of English
- IV. Present-day language situation
- 4.1 Language variety
- 4.2 Code-switching or code-mixing
- V. Characteristic features of Philippine English
- 5.1 General facts
- 5.2 Phonology
- 5.3 Morpho-syntax
- 5.4 Lexis
- VI. Teaching Philippine English and its problems
- VII. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this work is to explore the development and characteristics of Philippine English within the context of postcolonial English varieties. It aims to trace the historical influences shaping the language, examine its current status, and analyze its unique linguistic features. The study also considers the implications of Philippine English for language teaching.
- Historical development of Philippine English, from pre-colonial times to the American colonial period.
- The interplay between Philippine English and other languages spoken in the Philippines.
- The unique linguistic features of Philippine English, including phonological, morphological, syntactical, and lexical aspects.
- The current language situation in the Philippines and the role of English.
- Challenges and considerations in teaching Philippine English.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the study of Philippine English, situating it within the broader context of postcolonial English varieties. It introduces Braj Kachru's model of World Englishes and highlights the historical significance of English in the Philippines as a lingua franca. The chapter outlines the scope of the study, which will cover the historical development of the language, its current linguistic features, and its role in education. The author clearly establishes the intention to explore the unique characteristics of Philippine English by contrasting it with General American English, ultimately aiming to draw conclusions about its impact on the Philippines.
II. Basic facts: This chapter provides essential background information about the Philippines, including its geography, population, and religious and linguistic diversity. It establishes the context within which the subsequent discussions of Philippine English will take place. The mention of two official languages (Filipino and English) and the existence of approximately 180 languages and dialects underscores the complexities of the linguistic landscape. The inclusion of demographic data regarding population size and religious affiliations provides a fuller picture of the country's social makeup. This information forms a crucial foundation for understanding the factors contributing to the evolution and current use of Philippine English.
III. History: This chapter delves into the historical development of the Philippines, tracing it from the arrival of the Negritos approximately 30,000 years ago to the Spanish colonization and the subsequent introduction of English. The chapter highlights the impact of Spanish colonization on the language landscape, followed by the rapid spread of English after the Spanish-American War. The role of the "Thomasites," American teachers who played a pivotal role in disseminating English education, is also examined. This chapter effectively lays the groundwork for understanding the historical forces that shaped Philippine English, emphasizing the relatively short but significant period of its development under American influence. The contrast between the long-lasting impact of Spanish and the rapid growth of English as the official language serves as a key theme.
Keywords
Philippine English, Postcolonial English, World Englishes, Language Contact, Code-switching, Code-mixing, Language Education, Sociolinguistics, Historical Linguistics, Linguistic Features, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexis, Tagalog, Filipino.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Philippine English
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Philippine English, including its historical development, linguistic features, current status, and implications for language teaching. It serves as a preview, offering a structured summary of the key aspects of the language.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes sections on the Introduction, Basic Facts about the Philippines, its History (including the Negritos, Spanish Colonization, and the Arrival of English), the Present-Day Language Situation (Language Variety and Code-switching/mixing), Characteristic Features of Philippine English (General Facts, Phonology, Morpho-syntax, and Lexis), Teaching Philippine English and its Problems, and finally, the Conclusion.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the study?
The study aims to explore the development and characteristics of Philippine English within a postcolonial context. Key themes include the historical influences shaping the language, its current status, unique linguistic features, and the implications for language teaching. It examines the historical development from pre-colonial times through the American colonial period, the interplay with other Philippine languages, and the challenges in teaching Philippine English.
What are the chapter summaries?
The summaries highlight the introduction of Philippine English within the context of World Englishes, providing basic facts about the Philippines, detailing its historical development from pre-colonial times to the American influence, focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of Philippine English, and discussing the challenges of teaching this variety.
What are the key historical periods discussed in relation to Philippine English?
The historical overview covers the pre-colonial era (with the arrival of the Negritos), the period of Spanish colonization, and the significant impact of the American colonial period and the role of the "Thomasites" in spreading English education.
What linguistic features of Philippine English are analyzed?
The analysis includes phonological, morphological, syntactical, and lexical aspects of Philippine English, comparing and contrasting them with General American English.
What is the current language situation in the Philippines?
The document mentions the existence of two official languages (Filipino and English) and approximately 180 other languages and dialects, highlighting the complexity of the linguistic landscape and the role of English as a lingua franca.
What are the challenges in teaching Philippine English?
The document notes that the challenges in teaching Philippine English are discussed but doesn't provide specifics in the preview.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include Philippine English, Postcolonial English, World Englishes, Language Contact, Code-switching, Code-mixing, Language Education, Sociolinguistics, Historical Linguistics, Linguistic Features, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexis, Tagalog, and Filipino.
- Quote paper
- Margarete Misch (Author), 2008, Philippine English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93785
