August is PH’s Language Month

Every year on the month of August, Filipinos celebrates the Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month) under the Proclamation 1031 of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos.

 

(National Language Month August 2016 — Filipino: Language of Wisdom)

 

This national commemoration used to be Linggo ng Wika (National Language Week), a week-long celebration that happened every August 13 to 19, coinciding with the birthday of former President Manuel Quezon, known as Ama ng Wikang Pambansa (Father of the National Language) and who was born on August 19, 1878.

President Ramos wanted to give more emphasis to giving importance and appreciating the Philippine language especially to the Filipino youth, thus declaring it to be a month-long celebration since January 15, 1997. Buwan ng Wika is usually celebrated in elementary schools all over the country with programs, seminars or competitions involving the students following different themes set by the Department of Education (DepEd).

This year, in accordance to the DepEd Memorandum #24 s. 2016, the following themes can be used by schools nationwide for their Buwan ng Wika programs:

1. Filipino: Wika ng Edukasyon at Kalinangan (Filipino: Language of Education and Culture)

2. Intektuwalisadong Wikang Pambansa, Wika ng Umuunlad na Bansa (Intellectualized National Language, Language of the Progressive Country)

3. Pagsasalin: Susi sa pagtamo at papapalaganap ng mga kaalaman at karunungan (Translation: Key to achieving and spreading of knowledge and wisdom)

4. Ang Filipino ay Wika ng Saliksik (Filipino is a Language of Research)

 

Source: The Filipino Scribe, Rappler