NAME:

Miguel Earl F. Fortuna

COURSE & SECTION:

BS Information Technology 33

SUBJECT:
G-SOSC003 | CONTEMPORARY WORLD

PROFESSOR:
Prof. Jumel G. Estrañero

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

“Anong orange waffle? Kwek-kwek ‘yan!”: Globalization and the domination of the
English language over the Filipino youth

Paper Synthesis Video

 I. Introduction
An English-speaking person could travel to Metro Manila and get by without ever needing to
speak a lick of any of the more than 100 languages of the Philippines. That person might also be
confused by the random English words sprinkled throughout the daily conversations in the local
language of the surrounding people. And at the end of the trip, that person might even ask
themselves: How can they all speak English?
In modern times, the English language has undergone a significant rise in popularity in the
context of the global landscape. This phenomenon is also evident through the lens of the Filipino
society, as a global lingua franca, English has become rooted in education, media, business, and
communication in the Philippines, where it joins Filipino as one of the country’s official
languages.
This prevalence can be attributed to the country's colonial history, its integration into the global
economy, and the widespread influence of Western culture through entertainment and digital
platforms. For Filipino youth, English represents not only a practical tool for academic and
career opportunities but also a gateway to global connectivity and modern expression, solidifying
its role as a key component of their daily lives. Thus, this paper aims to discuss the ever-growing
prevalence and domination of the English language over the Filipino youth, fueled by
globalization, increasing interconnectedness, and the thirst for global opportunities.
II. Body
It can be observed that globalization is not a foreign or new concept to the Philippines as a
country or to Filipinos as individuals. In view of the fact that the Philippines was shaped by a
series of colonial and Western invasions that exposed its people to the dynamics of global
interconnectedness. During over three centuries of Spanish rule, the Philippines was primarily
influenced by the Spanish language and culture, which has left an undeniable mark on both the
Filipino language and its culture (Miñoza et al., 2022). However, it was under American
colonization in the early 20th century that globalization took on a more modern form, as English
was introduced as a medium of education and government. The Americans established public
school systems where English became the primary language of instruction, as stated in Act No.
74 issued by the United States and enacted by the United States Philippine Commission in the
year 1901 (LAWPhil, n.d.). Though this previously enacted law is archaic and dismissive of the
local languages of the Philippines, its impact on the popularity of English among the Filipino
people is not negligible. The English language's broad usage in the Philippines and its
importance in the nation's engagement with globalization were made possible by the historical
imposition of the language. English-speaking citizens in the Philippines had a clear advantage as
the world grew more interconnected, making it easier for the nation to join international
networks of communication, education, and trade.
English's status as an essential tool has been further solidified by the Philippines' economic
connection with the rest of the world. For many Filipinos, being able to communicate in English
has become essential as industries like Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) have grown in
popularity. With millions of jobs, the BPO industry, which includes call centers and IT services,
is one of the biggest drivers of the Philippine economy.
 Figure 1. Philippine IT-BPM services industry revenue (2016-2028)
As seen in Figure 1 retrieved from JLL Philippines (2023), the Information Technology –
Business Process Management industry has been steadily growing for the past few years, and is
forecasted to grow almost doubly from 2023 to 2028. Fluency in English enables Filipino
workers to communicate effectively with international clients, fostering economic growth and
strengthening the country’s position in the global market. Moreover, the ability to speak English
has opened doors for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who often find employment in
English-speaking countries, sending remittances back home that significantly bolster the
Philippine economy (Zafra, 2020).
The English language has been ingrained in Filipinos' daily life due in large part to the
widespread impact of Western media. English is popular among young people in the Philippines
because of the country's widespread consumption of American films, TV series, music, and
internet content. Its use is further supported by social media platforms, where a large portion of
the content is in English. These media not only entertain but also shape cultural values and
aspirations, often aligning them with Western ideals (Shtern et al., 2019). As a result, many
young Filipinos adopt English in their speech, writing, and self-expression, seeing it as a mark of
modernity and global citizenship.
In daily life, the integration of the English language is evident in various domains. English is
the primary language of instruction in schools, a default language in business and formal
communication, and even a common choice for informal conversations among urban youth.
Filipino parents often encourage their children to speak English at home, viewing it as essential
for academic success and career advancement. This integration reflects a blending of traditional
Filipino identity with global influences, where English serves as both a bridge to the
international community and a tool for personal and professional growth. Consequently, the
English language has become an inseparable part of Filipino life, evidenced by the existence and
creation of Taglish, a form of code-switching and linguistic borrowing of English words to
Tagalog.
 III. Analysis
To further understand the effects of globalization on the rise of the English language in the
Philippines, three (3) main areas shall be considered and analyzed: business, academe, and daily
life.

Business
One of the main causes of the growing usage of English in the business sector is the
Philippines' growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. The workforce in the
Philippines, one of the biggest BPO hubs in the world (Crismundo, 2023), mostly depends on
English language skills to manage worldwide operations, interact with clients from across the
world, and deliver customer care. Furthermore, interconnection has been made easier by
globalization, necessitating that professionals adjust to international communication norms
where English is the primary language (Hidasi, 2017). Because platforms like video
conferencing, email, and collaborative tools rely on a common language, English is essential to
contemporary business operations. Because of this interconnection, Filipino professionals are
now able to compete in the global market, which has greatly boosted economic growth and
cemented English's position as a vital business language.

Academe
In the academic setting, English remains cemented in the curriculum at all educational levels.
The educational curriculum in the Philippines emphasizes the importance of English skills in
order to prepare students for global competitiveness. Subjects like English communication skills,
literature, and technical writing are integral to the curriculum, designed to improve fluency and
build the foundation for critical thinking in the language. Furthermore, many academic
institutions adopt English as the primary medium of instruction for subjects such as mathematics,
science, and technology (Sumalinog & Sumalinog, 2018). The purpose of teaching English goes
beyond mere communication; it aims to equip students with the skills needed to excel in an
interconnected world brought about by globalization, whether through higher education
opportunities abroad or employment in multinational corporations.

Daily Life
In the daily life, the integration of English manifests in various ways, from colloquial
expressions to the creation of Taglish. This linguistic blending is especially prevalent among
urban youth, who use Taglish as a casual and modern way to communicate. English phrases are
also frequently used in advertising, social media, and pop culture, further normalizing its
presence. Moreover, a growing trend among Filipino parents is teaching their children English as
a first language, often prioritizing it over Filipino or other regional languages. This shift is
motivated by the perception that English proficiency offers better educational and career
opportunities, underscoring its importance in shaping the future of the younger generation
(Sumalinog & Sumalinog, 2018). These factors demonstrate how deeply English has permeated
everyday interactions, making it a vital part of contemporary Filipino life.

Overall, it can be observed that globalization has manufactured the necessity for the Filipino
people to learn and become adept at the English language. Sometimes even dismissing their own
local languages for the pursuit of global opportunities.
 IV. Recommendation
While the analysis highlights the effects of globalization on the rise of the English language
in business, academe, and daily life, there is room for further exploration. Additional areas such
as government policies, regional disparities, and cultural identity could provide a more
comprehensive understanding of the topic. Moreover, to gain deeper insights, acquiring first-
hand experiences through qualitative and quantitative research would be tremendously beneficial
to further analysis. Surveys, interviews, and statistical analyses involving diverse Filipino
communities would offer valuable perspectives on how globalization impacts perceptions, lived
experiences, and its other effects on various sectors and demographics. By incorporating these
methods, future studies could provide a more holistic view of the role and implications of
globalization in language learning in the context of the Philippine society.

V. Conclusion
This paper aimed to discuss the ever-growing prevalence and domination of the English
language over the Filipino youth, fueled by globalization, increasing interconnectedness, and the
thirst for global opportunities. The analysis revealed how globalization gave rise to the
increasing popularity of the English language in the Philippines. The English language plays a
central role in business, education, and daily life, driven by the rise of the BPO industry,
academic curriculum integration, and its influence in modern communication. However, while its
dominance presents opportunities for global competitiveness and economic growth, challenges
remain, including the potential erosion of local languages and cultural identities. These local
languages often become overshadowed by the growing appeal of the English language in the
global landscape. Similarly, the cultural identity of the Filipino people are becoming overwritten
due to Westernization and influence of popular media. Further studies exploring these challenges
through qualitative and quantitative research could offer deeper insights and actionable
strategies. Ultimately, the balance between embracing English for global progress and preserving
the Filipino cultural identity remains crucial for sustainable development.

VI. Message to the Professor

My warmest greetings to our professor, Prof. Jumel Estrañero, whose discussions and
teachings on the subject of globalization and the contemporary world enabled me to further
understand the circumstances and issues of the modern era. My deepest gratitude for your
willingness to teach and explain complex topics, in addition to imparting your own experiences
in relation to said topics. Have a merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
 References
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Philippines | Commercial Real Estate | Investment Management. Retrieved December 17,
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the-philippine-bpo-sector
Hidasi, J. (2017). The impact of interconnectedness: Culture, language, communication.
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