DLSU students support preservation of Filipino language

STUDENTS strongly support the preservation and promotion of the Filipino language, a recent survey by De La Salle University's newly established language center Sentro sa Pagsasalin, Intelektuwalisasyon, at Adbokasiya (DLSU Salita) showed.

While 64 percent of respondents to the «Survey on the Linguistic Situation at DLSU» said they were proficient in both Filipino and English, a significant majority (83 percent) believed it was important to actively develop and promote Filipino, especially in a university setting.

Interestingly, the study revealed that both students and professors are open to using Filipino as a language of instruction in graded subjects, even within the core curriculum, despite 67 percent of respondents preferring to answer the survey in English due to greater familiarity.

De La Salle University's newly established language center Sentro sa Pagsasalin, Intelektuwalisasyon, at Adbokasiya or DLSU Salita aims to broaden its reach, potentially offering translation services for other indigenous languages spoken in the Philippines and solidifying its role as a regional language hub. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The findings highlight a crucial need addressed by DLSU Salita, the university's central hub for all matters related to the Filipino language, the center said.

DLSU Salita aims to empower younger generations to embrace their linguistic heritage, driven by the awareness of the challenges facing Filipino and other Philippine languages.

DLSU Salita Director Raquel Sison-Buban said, «Our goal is to make Filipino a language of aspiration, confidently used in academic discourse, research and daily life.»

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«It carries the stories of our ancestors and the wisdom of generations. The future of our language rests in the hands of the youth, and we are committed to empowering them to become the stewards and advocates this linguistic heritage deserves,» Sison-Buban added.

DLSU Salita operates under the Office of the Associate Provost and offers a range of language-focused initiatives: providing professional translation services, fostering Filipino language education and spearheading various translation-related activities. From translator training and