In the Philippines, Spanish was the official language for many years starting from the 16th century until 1973. The Philippine Constitution designated English and Spanish as official languages in 1935, but it required the development and adoption of a common national language based on one of the existing native languages. Due to the American administration during the first half of the 20th century, the Philippines today has two official languages which are English and Filipino (derived from Tagalog). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Philippine language was adopted in 1946 and understood by the majority of Filipinos, while English is also widely spoken and understood. More than 80 indigenous languages and dialects are spoken (essentially of Malay-Indonesian origin). In addition to Tagalog, spoken around Manila, major dialects include Cebuano (spoken in the Visayas), Ilocano (spoken in northern Luzon), and Panay-Hiligaynon. The 1973 Constitution designated basic "Filipino" Tagalog, along with English, as the official language and mandated the development and formal adoption of a common national language known as Filipino. The language provision in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines which are incorporated in Article XIV, Sec. 6 and 7 provide the legal basis for the various language policies that are implemented in the country. The provisions are as follows:1. Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it will be further developed and enriched based on existing Filipino and other languages.2. For purposes of communication and education, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, unless otherwise provided by law, English. On the other hand, English serves as the official and national language of Nigeria, serving not only as a contact language between Nigerians who could not interact with each other, but also between Nigerians and Europeans. English is used as the language of commerce, education, politics, law, and business administration of the entire country, although with different uses and commands (Danladi 2013). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Knowledge of English is therefore an essential requirement for anyone who wants to promote or live in a broader community context, regardless of the variety of English. It is this convenient structure of the English language that provides the varieties of group interaction and group relations for interethnic communication and gives individuals the sense of uniqueness, unity and loyalty – the accessible few. Even ceremonious English, as taught in formal (school) contexts, always supports the local structure – not used as an Englishman uses it. English in Nigeria is seen as a weapon because it provides an excellent representation of political supremacy.
tags