Language and linguistics agenda for the Philippines for 2025

SO, we are now in 2025, and the work continues. Language issues and linguistic challenges persist, and the work that linguists do remains relevant because language problems in the Philippines remain plenty and, more so, unresolved. I am a believer in small steps to achieve big goals and of walk rather than talk (of course, keeping in mind that talk is central to language). At the beginning of the year, it might be useful to identify realistic and doable targets not only for linguists but also for the public who actually use language in all of their lives.

The biggest challenge for the Philippine linguistics community in 2024 was the repeal of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education or MTB-MLE. Despite this, the government did not cancel this policy altogether. There was still room for some mother tongues to be taught, particularly the major regional languages. Many linguists and language- and education-related organizations made stands and released statements on the issue, with (almost) all of them voicing disappointment over what the government has done to mother tongues in the Philippines. Many of them are not only colleagues but also friends. Let me express my disappointment: these individuals and groups have done nothing after making their stand known. The problem with linguistics, particularly and academia broadly, is that they are very quick to make these seemingly well-informed statements about certain issues yet never take real action to change the situation they complain about.

LANGUAGE SPEAKS