Review of Related Literature and Studies

Language is one of the greatest inventions of human knowledge. In fact, a country can
never be called free without its own language. Language gives distinction which gives
knowledge of someones origin. It has become a vehicle for communication in order for people
to communicate properly with one another or maybe disagree in some ways. Expressions are
further strengthened by language. It is the vehicle to success by many, may it be country wide
or in the global arena.
This chapter will serve as guide to the researcher in establishing the foundation of the
study.
Related Literature
Based on a message by Senator Loren Legarda to Gabay sa Ortograpiyang
Pambansa a renowned organization for language in the Philippines, that our countryis very
rich in culture and language. We have a total of 177 active languages from different ethnic
groups all over the country. However, as Filipinos, it is important that we use our own language
properly. Our Filipino Orthography will be our guiding principle in determining proper usage.
We acknowledge that there are changes in language in todays modern time. This changes
constitutes the content of a book authored by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF).
Through this book, hopefully every Filipino will carry-out knowledge in their own knowledge for
better communication to one another. True to Senator Legardas words, we must be loyal in
using the Filipino language in a proper way to harness its potential as China and other
countries in Asia. They made use of their language to be known and show to the world how it
made them united and one.

In the Kartilya ng Wika ng Edukasyon (2004), that any language is storage of

knowledge and English is just one of them. In fact, based on the theme of the Pandaigdigang
Taon ng mga Wika (2008), Bawat Wika, mahalaga!/ Languages Matter!. No language is
above or below from one another, so all languages must be developed and be further
improved. ( as cited in De Vera, 2010). This theme strengthens the importance of language as
a tool of communication to people. This kind of celebration of language must be kept and
maintained as it helped in flourishing what we have and as language being dynamic,
acknowledge the new arrivals of language to appreciate.
According to Jerpi, eHow Contributor (2012), the youths of today are already
accustomed to using modern gadgets such as cellphones. Accordingly, they find it difficult to
go by each day without it. Technology, specifically cellphones have positive and negative
effects to writing skills which proves that students can be directly affected of technology. Text
language, for example is an alarming trend that kills or diminishes students skills in
grammatical aspects such as proper pronunciation, formation of words and sentences and
syntax. It is very disturbing to realize that as we flourish technologically, we also decline
intellectually. More evidently seen on young bloods of today, they must be encouraged use
language correctly so as not to affect their proper communication skills. This is not to
unwelcome whatever new language that might get invented in the future but to manage them
the proper way that it does not get in the way of the skills in communication as much as
language usage.
It is stated from the book of Austero (2013), that if an individual has an extensive/vast
vocabulary, it is a major advantage on how he expresses himself. This vocabulary must then
follow rules/ conventional grammar and consideration to listeners/readers (audiences). The

meaning of the word, to whom is the message being said, how is the word being used, what
message is being relayed all of these helps in understanding the message. There are times
that we need to form words to give names/terms, explain unfamiliar words, add, invent, give
expressions, change term to avoid embarrassment, insult, and avoid vulgar or offensive words.
Other times, it causes fear. (Good Writing, Cunningham p.115).
It was mentioned from the book of Jocson, et. al (2011), that Filipino is the official
language of the Philippines according to the law set by the Saligang-batas of 1987. It was
stated in Article 14 Section 6 that Filipino will be the official language of the Phillipine Republic,
and while it is being enhanced, it must be further developed and cultured, followed by all
governing languages and dialects in the country. The governing body Komisyon ng Wikang
Filipino (KWF) gives meaning to what Filipino means. They said the Filipino language is the
native language used all over the Philippines and as language of the ethnic groups. Like all
other active languages, the Filipino language goes through process of enhancement through
borrowing from the dialects in the country, and the evolution of varieties of languages in
different situations of speakers and their orientation, for topic discussions and academic
expression.
It was discussed from the book of Cantre (2013) that in an entire day, there is nothing
more fulfilling than be accepted wholeheartedly in what youre doing, whether you do it through
speaking or writing. It will happen if you do the right ways and styles for it to be effective apart
from the knowledge and zealous attitude.
As explained by Virgilio Rio Alma Almario (2010), author of the new edition of Filipino
Vocabulary of UP, the popularity of a word does not guarantee inclusion in the dictionary.

Examples of this are famous words today like jejemon, that can be included in Filipino
dictionary only through continued use. Unexpectedly, sounds produce by animalshave been
given meanings in dictionaries like nger nger, an Ilocano word which means bark of an angry
dog that is ready to bite anytime.
From a news gathered by FRJimenez of GMANews.TV (2010), that many gay speak
terms are now included in the new edition of the Filipino dictionary of the University of the
Philippines. One of them includes tsika which means not a serious conversation or playful one
or a young girl. Also included is tsugi which means any person, thing, experience or event that
is not according to a given standard or something unpleasant. Another inclusion is imbyerna
from the Spanish word imbyerno, contrary to its original meaning cold weather; its direct
translation to Filipino is annoy or disgust.
In an online article by Flores (2010) of abs-cbnNEWS.com, she introduced a fresh take
on Pinoy gay language called bekimon. Contrary to what everyones idea that bekimon was
first to emerge than jejemon, the term was actually taken from jejemon culture following its
popularity. As explained, beki is a colloquial word for gay and mon was from the same suffix
of jejemon which results to bekimon. Although gay language has been in existence for a
while already they said it is potentially growing more and today than it is before especially that
gay community had been acknowledge and accepted now in the country. Furthermore, like the
variations in Filipino language, gay language has also been evolving significantly with word
formation different from before.
As stated from the book of Lozano, et. al (2013), that speech is used to express
thoughts and emotions, whether in speaking or writing.

In speech, it should be effective

enough in expressing thoughts and knowledge. It will only happen if listeners or readers
understand it. Yet, it should be beyond comprehension and understanding; it should have
charm and enticement. It should also have a rhetoric nature as well.
Marquez (2010), stated that in speaking, to have a clear, informative, instructive and
persuasive topic, it is a must to have a dignified speech with relevant point according to the
theme. It is not just how you speak but also to the content and how the listeners interpret the
message given to them. In communication, there should be control in choosing the lexicons
and syntax in speech. This also applies in what language to use according to situation or
occasion at hand.
Related Studies
In a study made by Palo (2014), he stated that the effects of text lingo on reading and
writing skills that although the use of cellphone greatly bridges distance barrier problems, the
inconsistent manner of use of words in texting brings confusion to communicators. The urge of
young people to be an expert in text lingo is adamant but it is deemed expensive especially
that it might be a great factor in the development of their skills in reading and writing though it
greatly helps fast transactions.
Casabal (2008) purported in his study how gay language creatively violates the use of
English language in the Philippines. He furthered that it defies international boundaries (Red,
p.42) saying most of the words were even taken from other languages such as English. He
specifically analyzed the semantics of many commonly used gay terms to prove how it
penetrated not only the structures of Filipino orthography but the English language as well. He
concluded that from a linguistic point of view, gay language in the Philippines defies the use of

standard English grammar in the way that content words such as nouns, adjectives, and verbs
are interchanged (p. 99). This causes confusion on how its structure follows forming, joining,
clustering of words such that of Filipino or English words since it does not have any rule or
codification of its own yet. However, he concluded that gay language has no intentional
purpose of violating English language but invented it for creative expression to be used by
them but due to its ridiculously beautiful concept it was accepted and embraced by the society.
Lunzaga in his study (2011) mentioned that according to Rafael (2010) gay speak is the
most unstable and malleable of all languages. They would attach affixes to familiar words
creating meanings that do not coincide with the actual meanings of the root. They do this to
protect and shield themselves from the disapproving patriarchal society although it generally
defies the English grammar. Nevertheless, it propagated in such a way that it has become
accepted even by straight people because for them the language brings fun and creativity
despite the errors and inconsistency of usage according to standard usage and rules. Gay
speak becomes the channel of acceptance for homosexuals.
In a study made by Manahan and Plopino (2011), shows that texting by students
reaches a total number of 200 texts sent and receive in a day. Age also determines how many
text messages is sent with the older the person is, the lesser text is sent. Related to their study
are the cases of Jejemons and Bekimons with their manner of texting brought negative impact
and result in writing skills.
Based on the explanations of Constantino (2002) from Eastman, there are two
dimensions in variety of language: geographics (dialects) and socio-economic (social group).
The former explains the variety of language is due to scattered location of speakers. On the

other hand, the latter differs because of the social status of people in the society which
explains the gays, horse language, elites, mass, and many others. (Arrogante, 2009).
According to the study of Fajilin (2011), done in 2004, a yearly competition of language
entitled Salawikain gives way to recognize Word of the Year to acknowledge the continuing
efforts of our society to flourish our language. The five (5) conferences held for the past years
brought together 50 words that is now considered as part of the culture and discourse of today.
Their study aims to analyze the implication of the words hailed as word of the year such as
jejemon (2010), miscol (2007) , lobat (2006), huweteng (2005) and canvass (2004) in relation
of language, culture and society today. They are featured as brilliant materials in determining
the phenomenon. Similarly, as entry winners it can be seen their shared characteristics as
winners. It is unveiled the morphological metamorphosis of our active language and how it
competes with others. It particularly focuses the pop culture in honing the said languages. It is
further examined how the words shape the minds of Filipinos and its effect in comprehension,
instruction and study of Filipino language today and in posterity.
In a study made by Samonte (2010), he traced back the origin of Jejemon language and
how it penetrated the young generation not just in the Philippines but also in the internationally.
He analyzed terms coined into the jejemon world such as jejenese for the language, jejebet for
its alphabet, jejemonism for the addiction to the phenomenon, jejelands for their frequent
hang-outs and jejemons for the actual person who engage the act. Nonetheless, jejemons can
be called as a pass by language or a phenomenon that will soon be forgotten because the
young people who do this will soon outgrow it. Not everyone also have the patience of
jejemons to read such conflicting and complicated texts they many do not appreciates it.
Likewise, it does not show any creativity that gay language brings.