My work as a logistics and travel consultant brings me to many places, particularly to countries in Asia. A friend once asked me which countries in Asia I’ve been to I find conversing easy. I had three ready answers: Singapore, Philippines, and India, though not necessarily in that order.
I remember quite well how some of my friends in the Philippines (including my regular host whenever I’m in that country) confidently reminded me that their country is considered to be the largest English-speaking nation in Asia and that, therefore, I won’t have any difficulty conversing with its local folks. However, I have to disagree with this claim (that the Philippines is Asia’s largest English-speaking nation) since I believe that distinction really belongs to India.
By the sheer number of its population, India, formerly a British colony, is Asia’s largest English-speaking nation. Its over 1 billion population far exceeds that of the Philippines’ 87 million. Like the Philippines, English is also one of India’s official languages. India’s middle class of over 300 million is predominantly English-educated, which tells us that English is a common language there, especially among the ruling classes. This is not to mention the millions more in rural India who speak at least basic English.
While it is true that many Filipinos speak and understand English, the question is: what kind of English? It is not enough that one can speak English. Proficiency in English entails proper grammatical usage.
True, the Filipino middle class, like its Indian counterpart, is predominantly English-educated. But it is far smaller in number than India’s middle class. But in the countryside, where the majority of Filipinos live, is completely another matter. Poverty simply does not permit the vast majority of Filipino children to have the luxury of proper English training.
Many rural Filipinos speak just enough English, if at all, to be understood. But correct, grammatical English is lacking. Then there is the issue of American English and British English and the relevant accents – an issue that’s not being debated here.
It is the correct, grammatical usage of English, which makes one proficient in the language. Even if spoken in what many Filipinos term as "carabao" English accent, proper English may be deemed acceptable for as long as the purpose of communication is realized.
In my three previous travels to the Philippines, I’ve met middle-aged barrio folk who did not even finish elementary school, and yet they spoke correct, grammatical American English, with the right accent, to boot. This probably confirms the fact that the Philippine educational system in the 1960s and 1970s was much better than the one that country has today.
Back to India, it can be said that that country is, in fact, the largest English-speaking nation not only in Asia but also in the whole world. Even the United States, with its 300 million people, can’t have a claim to the title. Not all Americans speak English fluently. In fact, many old immigrants – both long-time residents and new arrivals, especially from the Orient – don’t speak English at all. On the other hand, speaking bad English in an American accent is also not acceptable.
So much for accent and diction. I hope my Filipino friends, who might read this piece, won’t hurl brickbats and tomatoes at me the next time I travel to the Philippines. After all, besides my work, I love taking a trip there not for the English language, but for the beauty of the country, its culture and above all, its people (the friendliest in the world with or without English proficiency).
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