Regionalism is not evil; exclusionary tactics of the center is.

SABBATICAL NOTES. 5 JUL 2014. SATURDAY. N8. 
Regionalism is not evil; exclusionary tactics of the center is. 

ALWAYS, WHEN the question of linguistic injustice comes up, and the languages from the regions rise up in rage, that reasonable anger against the unjust linguistic, cultural, and educational policies of the Philippine government, the Tagalista argument is that these people advocating for their language rights are simply, merely 'regionalistic' and thus, are advocating for 'regionalism.'

Let us see the dictionary definition of what this regionalism thing is all about:

regionalism |ˈrējənlˌizəm, ˈrējnə-|
noun
1 the theory or practice of regional rather than central systems of administration or economic, cultural, or political affiliation: a strong expression of regionalism.
2 a linguistic feature peculiar to a particular region and not part of the standard language of a country. [New Oxford American Dictionary, retrieved 5 Jul 2014]

Definition Number 1 tells us of the real problem in the Philippines: we have not been allowed the 'theory and practice of regional rather than central systems of administration' and not permitted the exercise of our own local 'economic, cultural, and political affiliation.'

And because we have not been allowed and permitted these two things, there is no sense of the Tagalista arguing that those non-Tagalog peoples arguing and demanding for their basic right to their language are regionalistic. That is a virtue they have yet to pursue, achieve, realize. And they should, as a matter of moral obligation.

Definition Number 2 tells of 'a linguistic feature peculiar to a particular region and not part of the standard language of a country.'

There are two concepts in this definition: 1. a peculiar linguistic feature, which assumes the singularity of a language of a country, nation, or state. Or a nation state like the Philippines. 2. a linguistic feature that is not part of the standard is a concept that does not apply to the country.

Only the first definition holds, and that means every non-Tagalog person ought to pursue his right to his language, the accusation of 'regionalism' notwithstanding.

So: regionalism, anyone?

That is our moral duty. Let us do it. Let us get it done--and soon.

FELIPENAS/