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Spanish Language
Retired foreign-service officer Tim Brown, who spent some time in the
Philippines, raises an interesting point in commenting on the statement
that only 1% of filipinos speak Spanish. We should not confuse numbers and
power:
"While few Filipinos spoke Spanish, the few who did were often filthy rich
-- owners of the San Miguel brewery and the like. There were also
concentrated around San Juanga and Cavite City in upper class enclaves. I
agree, Spanish is not what it used to be. But I am not too sure the old
Spanish-speaking elite has lost all its clout."
Throughout the Spanish-speaking world there has developed a romantic
attachment to the pre-Spanish language. Educated Basques tell me they wish
they knew Basque, Mexicans that they knew nahuatl or maya. The new stress
on the aboriginal languages in Chiapas and elsewhere has class overtones.
How are Spanish priests and nuns received by non Spanish-speaking peoples,
e.g. the panish nuns among those whom Edith Coliver is studying?
The class and language issue has also affected French. When I first went
to Latin America, the educated upper classes, especially in Brazil, boasted
that they spoke French. No more. This status symbol has disappeared.
Ronald Hilton, 03/15/98
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