By Ressie Jan Marie G. Manginsay
By: Ressie Jan Marie G. Manginsay
How does mother tongue help the learning of English in Bukidnon? What could be the reasons for maintaining and developing mother tongue proficiency? How can we preserve the language of our culture while learning the international language? These are just some of the questions that people might ask about mother tongue towards learning English language.
With the aim to satisfy these questions and to promote a culture of peace and development, the Language and Letters Department collaborated with the Bukidnon Literary-Musical Production in celebrating the “International Mother Tongue Day” at Bukidnon State University Gymnasium last February 21, 2012, with the theme, “Upholding the Bukidnon Cultural Heritage through Language and Literature.”
We can uphold our cultural heritage through language and literature. But what language should be used if learning of a culture takes place through language? Now, that is the aim of celebrating the international mother tongue day. To preserve the culture calls the need to learn our native language. I remember what the speaker said that, “Language and culture are not inseparable. Binukid, the native language spoken by Bukidnons, is not just a composition of grammar, semantics, or words but it is rather a channel where one goes through in order to understand the culture of Bukidnon.” That’s why, Binukid and Bukidnon culture is offered in Bukidnon State University courses to rebuild the decaying knowledge of the people about the culture and language of Bukidnon.
Aside from the importance of developing one’s culture through mother tongue, research shows that many skills acquired in the first language can be transferred to second language. The reasons for maintaining and developing mother tongue proficiency can be answered by the point that a strong reason to make sure that they do not have gaps in their mother tongue and that they will not be alienated from their own rich culture. And that we can achieve equity in education, opportunities and education for all, as well as to counter linguistic and cultural loss through learning our native language.
Kudos to the Language and Letters Department and Bukidnon State University in joining the whole world in celebrating the international mother tongue day which is considered as an enormous cultural step towards the meaningful recognition of the mother tongue’s role in developing a culture of peace and development and in learning English language!
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