Filipinos slowly but surely falling in love with romantic French language

About 20,000 Filipinos are currently studying the French language in the Philippines, a strong indication that Filipinos have recognized the importance of learning a second foreign language in a globalized world dominated by English, ambassadors from the French-speaking countries said.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon said there are about 100 teachers of French language teaching Filipinos from high school students to professionals, all over the Philippines.

Garachon said “our message today is that more and more Filipinos are learning and studying the French language within the Philippines.”

Of the 20,000 Filipinos learning French, about 9,000 are enrolled in the Alliance Française branches in Manila and Cebu, an estimated 9,500 students are in various colleges and universities, and 1,500 students are in public schools, Garachon said.

A Romance language

“Students view French as a cultural language which conveys a very important literary tradition and has important connections with the arts such as dance and music. Others say French is a very romantic language. This is the Latin side of Filipinos, if I may so. The emotional side (of Filipinos) is very nice,” Garachon said.

More pragmatic reasons for learning French include the following: immigration purposes, the increasing need for French-speaking tourist guides, and for educational purposes—especially those seeking entry into French-speaking academic institutions abroad.

Currently, there are 12 public science high schools offering French as an elective course following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the French Embassy and the Department of Education institutionalizing the program in 2012.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder, meanwhile, said the number of Filipinos studying French is “significant.”

“For Filipinos, being a highly mobile people, speaking French opens doors of opportunities and employment in French-speaking countries, such as Canada,” he said.

“English has a strong position in the Philippines because of its history. But we see that the study of French language is on the ascent as a cultural exercise. Also because of the opportunities for studies, employment, and immigration to French-speaking countries,” Reeder said.

Culture, politics, values, language

Garachon and Reeder were joined by ambassadors from countries which are members of the International Organization of La Francophonie, such as Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Roland van Remoortele, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Ivo Sieber, Cambodian Ambassador to the Philippines Tuot Panha, and Laotian Ambassador to the Philippines Malayvieng Sakonhninhom in a forum on Wednesday, ahead of the March 20 annual and world-wide celebrations of the “La Francophonie.”

Remoortele said the “La Francophonie” was formed in 1970 to forge active solidarity among its 57 member-states and 20 observers, representing one-third of the United Nations membership, or more than 890 million people.

“The member-states of the La Francophonie share more than the French language. They share the humanist values promoted by the French language enshrined in the motto ‘liberté, egalité, fraternité,’ or liberty, equality, and brotherhood. These values represent the cornerstone of the La Francophonie,” Remoortele said.

“The La Francophonie is committed to fighting the linguistic standardization that is a consequence of globalization. French-speakers have their own cultures and identities and it is important they be preserved,” Remoortele said.

Sieber said the La Francophonie is “a combination of culture, politics, values, and language.”

“It is the cultural dimension of the La Francophonie that is being projected and spotlighted today: culture plays an important role. The values of the La Francophonie cross borders. The La Francophonie enriches the multi-cultural situation in member-states,” Sieber said.
          
Sieber said among the events of La Francophonie in the Philippines is the March 22-25 performances of classic French chansons by the Swiss-French singer Laurent Brunetti and pianist Mario Pacchioli.

“The Embassy of Switzerland is bringing in the Swiss-French duo to serenade the Filipino audience with their rendition of classic French songs,” Sieber said.

The March 27 “Printemps de Poetes” (Spring of Poets) features and evening of “Poetry at the Heart of the Arts” showcasing poetry, music, and visual arts for a multi-faceted artistic experience, Sieber said.
          
Sieber also announced the “LabCitoyen Video Documentary Contest” on the theme of “human rights in the digital age” with the winner being given a 10-day trip to France from July 6 to 16, 2014 to attend workshops, seminars, and visits to various French institutions focusing on human rights.  — VC, GMA News