Language and Identity

Rowell Macapagal BS Economics

2013-22494

European Languages 50

What defines a Filipino? A younger I would have said somebody who speaks Filipino. This film reminded me that this belief is a blatant lie. Language doesn’t define the entirety of a person. It can only give a glimpse; a glimpse created by stereotypes. These stereotypes are powerful enough to divide states and create nations. Nations and identities are made by the minds of people who think alike, speak alike, live alike and (in one or more instances in history) look alike. We tend to think that those who are not us must be superior or inferior.

I remember reading a few comments made on a news website about the Yolanda disaster. “Buti nga bisaya” one of the comments stated. Is it a superiority complex that made this person say that?

Probably. Tagalog or Filipino is portrayed as the language of intelligence, of life just as Southern French is portrayed as better than Northern French in the movie.

Well, this is a destructive belief. The majority OR the politically entrenched continue to discriminate against the minority. This creates divisions in a state. It also creates and destroys nations.

Why?

Nations exist in the hearts and minds of men. Men, who live their lives alike, think alike. When a group of people can be distinguished from the majority a nation maybe born; fragmenting a once singular nation.

This can be prevented by assimilation. We can just accept others for what they are. It may sound like a juvenile idea but it is what we need for unity.

Anyone can be a part of a nation; even you. It is just an idea in your head. Keep an open mind, an open heart if you ever want to be a member. Think like them. Who knows, you might end up making your own nation. Just persuade others to think like you. Then live together.

Then think alike. Then do some culture things together.

After all, nations are just imaginations. Like love.