4/15/12

Eat My English

Eat My English
by rosella torrecampo January 23, 2012

Discussion and Activity : EAT MY ENGLISH! On the Status of Filipino English/Filipinisms and englishes There is a recent movement in the University to tamp down on the use of Taglish as a medium of expression in English-language based courses, such as our course. The position is of course not to be confused with the use of both or either English and Filipino in a bilingual classroom, such as in a Literacy course. The position is also obviously not intended to be applicable to another language classroom, such as Spanish. Dean Hermosa of the UP Open U in fact even specified the need to include correct English grammar and mechanics as among the criteria for grading submissions. The move is commendable for those whose education goals for a particular course include developing a proficiency in English, even as first, the notion of what Taglish is has to be clearly defined before it is addressed. Truly, it must be made clear, as some of your output in activity 1 would show (yes, friends, I prefer to use output as collective rather than in singular/plural forms, as it was meant to be originally used anyway). In English 157, when the activity asked for "Filipinisms," you presented Taglish or Filipino or just tagalong slang or colloquial terms, an example of which is "chorva" or "ek-ek". This mini-lesson is supposed to address that confusion. Remember that the concept of the King's or Queen's English (official nicknames for UK Standard English) as being the only correct form of English is under fire, given as we had earlier told you about Crystal's and Graddol's observation that the world now 'owns' English and it has evolved a variety of forms and uses of English (Called Englishes or english--small 'e' intended). While it is clear that there was once a concept of "Nationalisms", meaning, English as used in a particular national milieu (example: "kiss" as used in Nigeria to mean a collision), and conversely, how that particular nation has also contributed its share of its own vocabulary to standard English (such as the oh-so-French abattoir for a mere slaughterhouse), this concept is already considered a conservative's position. Nowadays, the use of Nationalisms is preferably considered a National standard of English, such as Filipino English (the position of Lourdes Bautista, Andrew Gonzales, et al.). The problem however is threefold: 1) what exactly is Standard Filipino English as opposed to mere error?; 2) who legislates and legitimizes and who accepts this standard at a National level; and 3) who accepts this at the International level?. Difficulties in the definition of a standard thus put us in a position where the concept-including basics as a dictionary of--standard Filipino English is nebulous, and just as hard to put into practice given its fuzzy structure and form, much more, hard to judge as against concepts of right and wrong. These, at both the local and international level. Hence, the reaction, "Eat my English!" (that is, if you do not care what the other person thinks, tantamount to saying--actually plays on the use of--"Eat my dust!" or worse, "Eat my s---!" First things first: I do not claim credit for this expression's use. I'll discuss that later. But before that, remember this cardinal concept: Though as laypersons, we are not sure exactly what standard Filipino English is in so far as the refinements of its use are concerned , we do seem to have an instinct for what is right or wrong. From the perspective of Structural Lingusitics, though (you may want to look up its development from Ferdinand de
www.nicenet.org/ICA/class/document_print.cfm?document_id=1893007 1/3

4/15/12

Eat My English

Saussure to Claude Levi-Strauss as those who acted as the builders of the cornerstone), the truth is that concepts of right and wrong are nonetheless built upon the underlying paradigm of the original English language structures. Simply put, our judgments of what are right and wrong about Filipino Standard English are based on the structure of English, not necessarily on Filipino, which in turn largely depends on Tagalog for its base. So, now, how can we tell if your English is acceptable even as Filipino English? This activity was inspired by my recent visit to (pardon the plug) a little known drinking hole along Ortigas' Metrowalk called--you guessed it--"EAT MY ENGLISH." It boasted that, "I'm open 24 hours." Imagine telling a puzzled friend, "Oh, tata, I'm going to eat my English!" which is precisely what I did. For starters, it celebrates Filipino food, and a lotof "bad English" as "only the Filipino can" for dcor and in the menu, featuring entries like 'chicken fingerings' and 'when it rains it fours"--soup for four. Prices are tolerable, servings spread out to appear much, but are best seen as "fair enough." Rice aplenty (not unlimited but per order, though)accompanies the particular viand, 'rice all you can' being our thing as Filipinos as well. As I don't drink (and drive, for that matter) the fact that it served margaritas at only P75 was wasted on me, along with its longish drinks list from the bar. Smoking is allowed (gasp!gasp!). The particular 'branch' (there are two close by in the same area) featured a guard (in Filipino English: lady guard) who served as waitress (again, more like Filipino English rather than current English PC use). I wondered if she were a waitress dressed as a guard, considering that in the Philippines nowadays, guards are made to double as busboys of soiled dishes, or as parking attendants as in some Jollibee outlets. The longish wait for the food--again, was that intentional?--was an opportunity for me to 'learn my English lessons' first. The dcor had expressions as what follows below. You can clearly sense what we now know as 'something wrong' about the way English is used, and how this cannot be 'standard Filipino English' even. Can you tell what's wrong and how to correct them? Most of the problems have to do with fractured metaphor (mixing idioms and metaphors) and malapropisms (correct words used for the wrong sense/construction) and what is generally termed as illiteracies (based on a knowledge of English, not English usage, of course. Again, this can be the subject of discussion amongst yourselves. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. When the cat is away, the mouse is alone. I am annulled and void. For all intense and purposes. You're barking at the wrong dog. Can you cut me some slacks? Sign near a church: We are the only Catholic country in Asia. Beware of pickpockets. 7. I'll slower my expectations. 8. Eat your hat out. 9. I have a friend in mine. 10. Please me alone. 11. What's your next class before this? 12. My pleasure is all mine! 13. That's not my problem anymore. It's your problem anymore. 14. Hello for a while. Can you please hang yourself?
www.nicenet.org/ICA/class/document_print.cfm?document_id=1893007 2/3

4/15/12

Eat My English

15. Hello? My boss is out of town. Would you like to wait? 16. For the benefit of the daw. 17. The nerd of that person! 18. What happened after the erection of Mayon Volcano? 19. Its depend. 20. If you don't mine... 21. a friend of mind 22. fresh frozen chicken sold here 23. We sell artificial fresh flowers. 24. I'm only human nature. 25. All of a suddenly 26. Please form a straight circle. 27. Let's give a big hand of applause. 28. I'm out of the loophole. 29. guys, let's call it tonight. 30. C'mon, let's get on with it! 31. The feeling is actual. 32. Thanks god. 33. The idea crossed at the back of my mind. 34. This is our rooster of clients. 35. The more, the manyer. The list goes on. My food had grown cold, I had stared so long and hard at the wall, I had fallen in love with it. Considering what I had actually eaten, now I know why the joint calls itself by that name.

www.nicenet.org/ICA/class/document_print.cfm?document_id=1893007

3/3