In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

New grammar guidelines for Filipino language sought

By Catherine Teves

May 15, 2018, 7:27 pm

MANILA -- The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is seeking inputs for developing the grammar guidelines for Filipino, the country's national language.

With this aim, the KWF has set this year's Pambansang Kongreso sa Wika (National Language Congress) on Aug. 2-4 in Metro Manila.
KWF language researcher Jeslie del Ayre said the national language's present guidelines are still based on famed Filipino writer Lope K. Santos' Tagalog-oriented book "Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa".

The KWF's forerunner, the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa, published the book in 1939. 

Formed in 1991, the KWF is the government agency tasked to promote Philippine languages.

The KWF identifies Tagalog, Bikol, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Pampanggo, Pangasinan, Sebwano, and Waray as the country's major languages.

The 1987 Constitution provides that as Filipino evolves, "it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages".

For the congress, del Ayre said the KWF aims to gather about 400 participants, mainly from the academe.

Other sectors are encouraged to join the event, though, she added.

The KWF is giving a 20-percent early bird discount on the registration fee for the event.

"Such discount reduces the congress' registration fee per person from the regular PHP3,000 to PHP2,400 for those who'll register and pay on or before July 15 this year," del Ayre said on Tuesday.

She said those who would register after such cut-off date, including walk-ins at the congress, must pay the regular registration fee, which covers the participant's seminar kit and food.

"Those who'll register before the cut-off date but will pay during the congress itself will be charged the regular fee as well," she pointed out.

Del Ayre said those interested in attending the congress can get the registration form and bank payment instructions from the KWF, so they could apply for slots at the event.

They must send to [email protected] scanned copies of their respective registration forms and bank deposit slips.
Those who would be sending only their registration forms without payment are not assured of slots, Del Ayre said.

Earlier, the KWF said among the topics for discussion in the congress are language study disciplines and teaching Filipino grammar at the elementary, high school, and collegiate levels. 

The congress will also look into Filipino grammar in the K-12 program's curriculum.

K-12 covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education - six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school.

The government said the program aims to provide students ample time to master concepts and skills, preparing graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. (PNA)

Comments