THE essence of language is not just to communicate but how it captures the worldview and values of its speakers. For Filipinos, Buwan ng Wika this August is an opportune time to reflect on how the spirit (diwa) of our languages can enrich various domains, particularly the practice of management.

Language scholars have long argued that the structure and vocabulary of a language profoundly shape the thoughts and perceptions of its users. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, for instance, says that language influences how we understand reality. In the Filipino context, our languages are replete with words reflecting our cultural priorities and ideals, many of which can serve as guideposts for more effective and humanistic management.