Quezon would have welcomed ‘gayspeak,’ says Filipino language expert

IF HE WERE alive today, how would President Manuel L. Quezon—called the Father of the National Language—have reacted to “charot” (just kidding), “chaka” (ugly) and other words taken from “swardspeak” being used in every day conversation?

For philosopher Florentino Timbreza, Quezon would be glad as the addition of new words is an indication that the Filipino language is flourishing and adapting to new generations.

“It is inevitable that we create new words with new meanings. It would not hinder but rather enrich our own language,” he said.

“Gayspeak” started trending online after chaka and charot were used in a word war earlier this month between Malacañang and the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Timbreza was among those honored in the Araw ng Gawad of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) which coincided with the birth anniversary of Quezon who turned 137 years old on Aug. 19.

Now on its second year, the award recognizes individuals from various sectors for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Filipino language.

Timbreza who has been an academician for over 40 years received the Dangal ng Wikang Filipino award for his exemplary use of Filipino in the field of philosophy.

Another recipient of the award was Leonida Villanueva, 71, who was cited for her outstanding works as a Filipino translator, linguist, lexicographer and author.

Villanueva urged the youth to use their restlessness in enriching the national language in whatever profession they wanted to belong.

“I wish that more Filipinos will exert time and effort to nourish our national language, not just during [August],” said the former president of the Pambansang Samahan ng mga Tagamasid at Tagapagtaguyod ng Filipino.

Also recognized during the awarding ceremony held at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City, were Ulirang Guro sa Filipino in the National Capital Region Oliver Borromeo (Makati Science High School), Geraldo Jumawan (Lagro High School), Robert Lacayanga (Nueve de Febrero Elementary School) and Emma Urika Sabado (San Antonio National High School).

Recipients of the Kampeon ng Wika award were Gloria Alday of the organization Superbisor at Guro sa Filipino; Rosa Maria Magno, Filipino arts and literature teacher in Pangasinan province; and singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon.

Also cited was the first place winner of Gawad KWF sa Sanaysay (essay) Mark Anthony Reyes for his piece “Malapit sa Bituka: Kaliwaang Kawing ng Wikang Filipino at ang Tunay na Pambansang Kaunlaran.”

On the other hand, Bayani Santos Jr. placed second for his essay “Ang Wika sa Kalayaang Pangkabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Bansa” while Dorothy Javier came in third for “Sa Gitna ng mga Unos at Pagsubok ng Bayang Filipinas, Nananatiling Susi ng Pambansang Kaunlaran ang Wikang Filipino.”