By: Jeff Raiven Iway
Teh, pay attention now, may chika ako.
Is one not ever disturbed or horrified by the emergence of the incorporation of a foreign language into one’s own? Though not harmful, the idea of a foreign language slowly and steadily embedding itself in our native tongue until it claims it as its own, is eerily concerning.
“Conyo” is the term for this blend of languages. It serves as a label not only for how certain people speak but also for the social group they belong to, characterized by a mix of English, Tagalog, and occasionally, Spanish in their communication. Their attitudes, social standing, and even cultural identity are frequently described by the term, which reflects a way of life that combines Western and indigenous influences. The “conyo” manner of speech is usually associated with the youth, particularly those from more affluent backgrounds, and can sometimes be perceived as a sign of privilege or a certain cosmopolitan outlook, which is ideologically linked to its invention and application in modern dialogue.
This phenomenon is slowly cultivating the descent of the Filipino language.
Social media as a medium
Today’s youth are immersed in social media to lengths such as four hours a day—twice the worldwide average. This is evident through the PSA’s (Philippine Statistics Authority) report that 86.8% of Filipinos aged 10 to 30 years old use the internet solely for social media (2019). With high volumes of social media users, they would inevitably stumble upon the posts of content creators and influencers that use this language mix to convey their thoughts and content to their audience with ease.
On one hand, social media serves as a platform for people to effortlessly interact and engage with others from different backgrounds and cultures. This allows the user to be exposed and their perspectives to be broadened by what are alien to them. In this fashion, they would be enticed by these foreign bodies, then, they would be tempted to devote all their time in order to explore them.
On the other hand, social media is democratized. Everyone has the liberty to post, do, and say what they want. With this, informal language use i.e., conyo, slang, and laid-back use of words, dominates the platform, which Generation Z and/or Millennials can quickly adapt to, incorporating it into their day-to-day interactions, overlooking the usage and integrity of their national language or dialect/s.
In hindsight, social media is being used as a means to learn and attain skills in the English language, with widespread informal usage; this influences and encourages the user to also use conyo—disrupting the development of formal language skills and usage.
Colonialism’s generational effect
“Conyo” is derived from the Spanish coño, which, in its original context, is a common interjection among the Spaniards. This typical exclamation has been picked up by Filipinos during Spain’s 333 years of stay here in the country. Eventually, this term is used to depict people of wealthy backgrounds, upper middle class, and those who reside in exclusive vicinities.
Indeed, it is very reminiscent of colonial times.
Over the last decade, it has emerged as a solution to intercommunication issues, with some Filipinos adapting their native tongues to meet their unique and changing communication needs. "Conyo" talk has evolved into a mimic of how native Filipino speakers of English and Spanish conversed with one another: a sentence in both languages with a few Filipino words. Over time, it has evolved into a middle-class stance and the go-to method for interacting until it eventually became the norm.
In spite of this, now in modern times, it would seem as though that conyo is being weaponized to show superiority in class—highlighting the distinction between the elite that uses or incorporates English into their dialogue, which is perceived as superior against the proletarians, the traditionalists and conservatives, and those who reside at rural areas and in provinces that use Filipino or their respective dialect/s.
Personhood, patriotism, and remedies
Language variety can reflect social roles, with the person in a higher social position often controlling the conversation and shaping its meaning. This influence not only affects the immediate interaction but also reinforces social hierarchies and cultural norms within the broader society. This idea kills the “Makabayan” and “Makatao” culture of ours.
Additionally, this idea thus weaves inequality in social discourse. Conyo affects the person as if corrupting them with the idea of supremacy.
To remedy this, proper and critical education and awareness must be set by the Department of Education (DepEd) to all levels of education. They must promote patriotism in the sincerest way possible. This can be a head-on exposure for students to traditional Filipino art, music, and heritage. The basic education curriculum must also be regularly revised to keep pace with the current issues that can be addressed in school. Raw linguistics is deficient in the curricula, thereby making the students oblivious to the importance of embracing one’s own language and/or dialect.
Moreover, the government and the Department of Tourism (DOT) must also be acute regarding cultural tourism: advocating the preservation and promotion of ethnic domains and not allocating all the budget to surface tourist spots such as beaches and mountainous areas. This would entice the average Filipino to be allured by their own language and culture.
Conyo, at its core, is a post-colonial issue: it reflects the challenge of simultaneously being modern and nationalistic while shaping a Filipino language and culture that is struggling with the lingering effects of American imperialism and Spanish colonialism on contemporary Filipino society.
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