By ACC Delen
The thing with language is that it is an ever evolving entity. Any linguist would tell you that languages as well as the manner of communication change over time. As previously mentioned, words are birthed and go extinct depending on usage. This is why we have seen Filipino words such as “bongga” and Korean terms like “chaebol” make it to the Oxford English Dictionary. But, just how many times were these words used by native speakers of English in their daily lives? Probably never.
Therein lies the conundrum…especially when we are looking at language from a utilitarian point of view. For instance, the way a TEFL teacher or a call centre agent might look at the English language. I’ve had the opportunity to see English usage from both lenses. So, when Dr. Danica Salazar, English Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary stated in an interview that Philippine accent is one of the most understandable accents in the world, and that this is one of the reason why our call centre industry is so successful, I couldn’t help but react.
As someone who was once a part of the successful call centre industry, I can honestly say that Filipinos are hired for these types of jobs NOT because we have the most understandable accent but because Filipinos are adaptable and willing to learn. This is very important because before agents are let loose on the floor to start talking to clients, they undergo speech training designed to teach them how to say words the way it is said where the client is located. (East Coast or West Coast) For instance, one might learn to say the “t” with the “d” sound; one says the name BETTY (Beddy) and shortening words like MOUNTAIN into moun’ain. Trainers also try to neutralize accents as much as they can with exercises that are done onsite and at home…exercises that personnel have to keep on doing long after their probation period has lapsed. So to say that understandable Filipino accent is one reason for the success of the call centre industry in this country is overly simplistic.
Dr. Salazar also stated that We don’t need to sound Americans to speak English correctly. She’s right…to an extent. That is, until you decide to create a career out of teaching the language as a non-native speaker of the English language. I briefly touched on the reasons why in my previous column. Let’s delve into it a little bit more…looking at the harsh realities of the TEFL world.
With English as one of most widely used language in the world (together with Mandarin and Spanish) teaching English as a foreign language has boomed beyond expectations. In the Philippines alone, there are so many English language centres around, that competition has become quite steep. Sure, it opened up more job opportunities for Filipinos but like any other business (yes, it is a business), competition has also driven rates down. It is therefore no surprise to find smaller centres that pay their teachers less. Understandably, these teachers and even those who are better paid look outwards for more lucrative opportunities. Many of them end up in either Thailand or China.
In China, we have the terms native speaker and non-native speaker while in Thailand, they have NES (Native English Speaker) and Non-NES (Non Native English Speaker). Any idea where I am going with this? Yes! There is a very clear delineation between two types of TEFL teachers. If you are a native English speaker and look the part, you’d be a shoo in for the job. In so many other cases, even if you are a NON native speaker but look like one (a blonde Eastern European with a very hard “R” pronunciation perhaps) you’d still get priority hiring. Where does that leave the Filipino TEFL teacher who left her low paying job in the Philippines for a hopefully more financially rewarding one? She/he eventually gets hired at a rate lower than the Eastern European, works twice as hard, shows up with enthusiasm and racks up as many teaching hours humanly possible. In short, he/she pays her dues and would eventually be hailed as the “new hero” (bagong bayani) in the Philippines. Anyone who thought this was a distinction may now have second thoughts after witnessing how repatriated OFW’s were treated in the past months…waiting for trips to the provinces in overcrowded temporary shelter, refused entry by local government units, treated like lepers and so on. But I digress.
Yes, language is not static. Every country that ever used the English language as lingua franca, second language or what have you has contributed and continue to contribute to its evolution and have earned the right to the legitimacy of their brand of English as well as the accent that goes with it. Like Dr. Salazar said, the way English is spoken by a people is reflective of their identity and culture. Simply listening to my friend Alex speak in English tells me right off the bat that he’s Singaporean.
Do I then speak with a Filipino accent? I don’t. Everyone who has spoken to me via telephone and who eventually saw me in person is surprised because I don’t sound Filipino. Even my NES friends say I sound native. Should I be proud of that? Damn right I am! It’s a testimony to Filipino talent and adaptability. Do I feel less Filipino because I don’t pronounce FAMILY as PAMILY and do not have the singsong manner of speaking English? Nope! You’d know what I am soon as I dip hot pandesal into my steaming mug of coffee or point at an object with my lips.
Note: The above is a product of a sleepless night, a mug full of Kopiko Blanca 3 in 1 coffee, and Adele belting out Chasing Pavements at 6 in the morning. Comments, complaints, and rants may be sent to anne_delen@yahoo.com
