Not all languages are created equal
The mastery or usage of a language is never a determinant
of a person’s intelligence but just like any normal individual, people commonly
equate a language mastery with intellectual superiority.
Right or wrong, in the Philippines, English proficiency is
unfairly equated with above-average intelligence; whenever an individual
displays a certain mastery of the colonial English language, the unstated
assumption always is that this person must be an intelligent person, hence must
be treated differently.
To the common mind, usually operating under the Helmholz likelihood
principle
and unconscious
inference might be true but for the uncommon mind with a complex
uncommon sense, such an assumption does not necessary follows. For the select few, they look at the content
of the message, they examine the language, and more on the fallacy of logic
used to argue a certain point.
The same argument in the same context and usage but
delivered in either in English and Filipino yields different consideration and
affirmation. Depending on the recipient
of the message, not all languages are created equal. The common masses now tend to view Filipino
as common while the English language as something that is a notch above.
The twist here is that value of English is deemed high
though the impact on the intended recipients is lesser as opposed to the usage
of the Filipino nomenclature.
Hence, if one wants to reach a broader audience, the use
of Filipino is more effective while English appears more elitist. Currently, the use of either English and
Filipino and its effectiveness in the delivery of message is dependent on the
recipient of the message.
And at the risk of being redundant, not all languages are
created equal, some are just plainly more effective compared to others. Besides, using “shit” is always better than
using “tae”.
September 9, 2019
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