Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General InformationPhilippine Islands. Commission of Independence
History
Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information
Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence
Philippines -- Description and travel; Philippines -- Economic conditions
[Attractions]
The town as a whole is an excellent place in which to see the daily
life and occupations of the Moro people in their most characteristic
forms. The fact that it is the chief center of the pearl fisheries
of the Islands puts the pearling boats when in port, the market where
the pearls and shell are sold, and the places of manufacture and sale
of the shell ornaments, among the principal sights. Leading from the
town to the barracks at Asturias is a fine coconut avenue, known as
"Ariolas' Walk." It is named after its builder, who was the Spanish
military governor of the place in the early years of the last century.
THE LANGUAGE FOR THE TOURIST.--Spanish and English are the languages
universally used in the archipelago. As a general rule, however, an
English speaking tourist can travel in the different places described
in this book without knowledge of any except his mother tongue. Almost
all of the officials and employees of the government speak English
and, if there is no one else, a school child can generally be found
to do the interpreting.
[English-Speaking Filipinos]
Statistics show that there are at present more Filipinos who can
read, write, and speak the English language than those who can read,
write, and speak the Spanish language. The last Census (1918) gives
the following figures:
Males Females
Filipinos of 10 years of age or over who can 563,495 322,359
read English.
Those who can read Spanish. 587,588 292,223
Those who can both read and write English. 540,552 313,993
Those who can both read and write Spanish. 454,052 210,270
As a matter of fact the English language serves at the present time
as a common medium of communication among the inhabitants of the
Philippines who still speak their own dialects. Because of the work
of public schools during the last quarter of a century it is the
language which is most widely spoken in the whole Archipelago.
Business between the central government and the provinces and
municipalities is transacted in English. The proceedings of the
Philippine Legislature although still in Spanish, are translated into
English. In commercial transactions the English language prevails
throughout the islands. It will not be very long before the language
will be the official language even in the courts and the language
which is more generally used in private life. The present leaders of
the people have a working knowledge of the language and many can read
and write it fairly. The younger generation has a thorough knowledge
of English and speaks and writes it in most cases.
The spread of the language as the common language of the inhabitants is
assured, not only because it is the basis of instruction in the public
schools and in the universities, but also because it is essential to
the best interest and political future of the people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account