SIL Philippines

2015 Conference of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines

2015-04-15 14:47

The Linguistic Society of the Philippines (LSP) recently held its annual conference. The 11 April event was co-organized with the University of Asia and the Pacific and held on the UAP campus in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

Seven plenary sessions covered a variety of topics related to the conference theme, “Language and Intelligibility.” Of special relevance to the local context were papers considering Filipino Sign Language, Philippine English and varieties of Philippine languages—more than 180 languages are spoken across the island nation. Speakers included:

  • Dr. Marilu R. Madrunio of the University of Santo Tomas
  • Dr. Shirley N. Dita of De La Salle University
  • Ms. Perpi Alipon-Tiongson and Ms. Rowella B. Tanjusay-Par of University of the Philippines and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde
  • Prof. Jesus Federico C. Hernandez of the University of the Philippines, Diliman
  • Dr. Ma. Asuncion L. Magsino of the University of Asia and the Pacific
  • Dr. J. Stephen Quakenbush and Mr. Jason T. Griffiths of SIL International
     

Quakenbush and Griffiths’ presentation introduced definitions of language and language development, including the historic role of intelligibility testing in the mapping of linguistic boundaries in the Philippines and elsewhere. They highlighted Philippine languages currently classified by the Ethnologue as “in trouble” or “dying” and presented examples of community-based language development being undertaken by several of these language communities.
 

   

Above: Ms. Rowella B. Tanjusay-Par (left) and Ms. Perpi Alipon-Tiongson (right) gave a joint presentation on the history and distinctiveness of Filipino Sign Language.

Of special interest was a paper written by former LSP President Dr. Danilo T. Dayag and presented in memory of recently deceased World Englishes scholar Larry Smith. SIL joins the Linguistic Society of the Philippines in mourning the death of both Smith and Dayag. Known to many as “Sir Danny,” Dayag passed away just two days before the conference after a long and brave battle with cancer.

SIL has partnered with language communities, government and educational institutions in the Philippines for more than sixty years and has enjoyed many years of collaboration with the Linguistic Society of the Philippines. LSP’s Philippine Journal of Linguistics has included a number of SIL research papers over the years.

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