This paper builds upon Sue Wright’s idea of national language from her book Language Policy and Language Planning: From Nationalism to Globalisation (2004). She identified three important roles of the national language: (1) its utilitarian role that should facilitate effective communication in politics and economics, (2) symbolic role of promoting belongingness to the nation, and (3) as a marker that can be used as an argument for self-determination. While the first two roles have been realized by language scholars and advocates in the country, the third one remains to be further explored.
This paper proposes the necessary foundation for building a language planning framework for semi-colonies like the Philippines in their bid for national sovereignty: updated language situation report and an analysis of its economic and education policies. While language policies are shaped by a country’s economic and political policies, the researcher theorizes that the former may not always be a result of the latter. Languages, when programmed to aid in national soverignty, can build generations of citizens that do not see them as just tools for communication, but also of nation-building.
The language planning framework envisioned in this paper positions Philippine languages as tools for political and economic independence. In a semi-colonial and neoliberal policy-ridden multilingual country, the motivation for advancing a better position for Philippine languages should go beyond nationalism to a deeper understanding of its connection to society – through the study of its political economy, while maintaining regional solidarity with neighboring countries.

Authors:
Jonelle Nieto, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Asst. Prof. Jonelle M. Nieto is a full time faculty member at the Department of Humanities, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

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