DURANO, Gilbert Jr., C.

English 111n (D)

09 October 2014
Essay 4: Argumentative

ANALYTICAL PAPER
On Argumentation
The article rectifies us about the true purpose of the English and Filipino languages
according to the reasons written by James Soriano. It tells us about the usage of the former on
educating, and how the latters usage is limited to the homes we live in and the streets we walk
on. Finally, it tells us about how English dominates Filipino as the language of the educated.
James Soriano wrote about his love for the English language for being the language of
learning as well as the Filipino language for being the language of identity. He wrote about how
he was trained since his toddler days to comprehend and speak English and how he came to
realize the real value of Filipino. The author elaborates further by stating that English is the
language of learning because we acquire education through English, and Filipino is the
language of identity because it is something that makes its speakers part of a community; of a
nation. He concluded that [Filipino] might have the capacity to be the language of learning, but
it is not the language of the learned.
James Soriano was right because it had always been the case. English is taught
everywhere; every time even during Science or Math classes. We only speak Filipino for the
sake of communicating with our fellow Filipino citizens who stick to the Filipino language as their
mother tongue. We only speak Filipino to identify ourselves as such and bind us as one. English
is indeed the language of learning and Filipino is just the language of identity.
During our childhood years, English was used to train us to speak, walk, dance, etc. It
was also present on the cartoons and movies we loved watching. At school, our teachers would
teach us several different subjects using English, even the books we read were in English. Road
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signs do not even say TIGIL! instead of STOP! We order most of our foods using their
English names. At a fast food restaurant, we might not say I want a bucket of Fried Chicken
and a tower of Pineapple Juice, but we certainly dont say Pa order ng isang balding Pritong
Manok tsaka isang tore ng yago ng pinya. Instead, we normally state orders like: Pa order ng
isang bucket ng Fried Chicken tsaka isang tower ng Pinapple Juice.
As for Filipino, we even find it awkward or jologs when our Filipino teacher speaks to us
in front of the class, uttering chants like: Tayo ay magsusulat ngayon ng isang reakshon paper
patungkol sa selekshon na ating binasa kanina lamang. How much more when they teach us
Math and Science like: Idadagdag nyo lamang ang isang-daang bote ng tubig sa isang gallon
ng soft drinks upang hindi na ito gaanong manamis-namis sapagkat mababawasan ang and
Ang mundo ay umiikot sa araw sa loob ng tatlong-daan at siyamnaput limang araw We limit
our use of it to only speaking with people who cannot speak English, when we find an English
phrase hard to pull out of our minds, and during Filipino classes. However, because it is the
Lingua Franca of our country, we are obliged to speak it first-hand. Otherwise, we might end up
looking like wannabe Americans or people suffering autism.
One unique reason which makes English more special than Filipino is the fact that only
literate people could speak it. It is a t-shirt which says I am literate. Are you? By speaking it,
we speak of ambition; we lay off signs of diligence.
English made life easier for us from learning during our early days, to ordering food in
our matured years. It is very comprehensible and linguist-friendly that we dont even dare to
make fun of it. Due to its wide coverage at schools, most literate people are very familiar with it.
Hence, speaking English gives us a status higher than the average individuals.
Though English is not a part of our culture, it deserves to be such.

On Retrospection
1) After a semester in English 111n, was there a change in how you value learning the
English language as a Filipino student? If there was, in what way? If there was none, why?

There was a change in how I value learning the English language as a student after a semester
in English 111n.
Learning English had never been as fun as it was in High School. Now, I enjoy writing my own
essays as much as reading several selections.
I used to get very low grades at Essay Writing during my High School years because my
teacher doesnt tell me which part of the Essay had gone wrong. Not even a single correction
could be found on my works, only a mark of 4/10.
The table was turned during my semester in English 111n and it helped me know which part of
my work had gone wrong. In turn, it helped me develop my Macro skills in the English language.
The corrections on my paper and the excellent teaching skills of my educator brought me a
change in how I value learning the English language after a semester in English 111n.

2.) What single realization about learning the English language have you realized after a
semester in English 111n?

I have realized after a semester in English 111n that writing has specific patterns tailored
according to the type of selection the writer was making.