Thursday, March 06, 2008 State university launches language for understanding drive By Carlo P. Mallo
LANGUAGE is one of the most important tools in our society today as it is the key in fostering understanding among the various cultures and beliefs of the people.
This is the belief of the organizers behind the "Promoting World Understanding through Languages" campaign of the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep), a state university here in Davao City.
Susanne Audrey Rexrodt, a German national who visited Davao City and has been conducting French tutorials at Usep, said it has been very difficult for her upon arrival as she did not know a single word of the local dialect, Bisaya, and even Filipino, the national language.
But since then, she said, she has learned her way and is now doing stints as a local showbiz reporter for a local newscast.
"Language is power and it helps you understand about the different cultures," Rexrodt said during Wednesday's Ugnayan sa Mandaya forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Learning various languages is one of the most effective tools to get your message across, Rexrodt said. As there are a lot of words, which do not have direct translations in the English language.
Rexrodt said learning a foreign language does not necessarily mean forgetting your native tongue.
"The native language is actually the heritage of the people, it speaks of their roots," Rexrodt added.
