Proem

I have heard from news reports that the Provincial Government is conducting training on Basic Parliamentary Procedures to Barangay Officials. This is a good move. The Barangay Officials ought to know Basic Parliamentary Procedures.

Last March 26, 2008 I accidentally entered a room at JJ's Seafoods with such training being conducted. To my surprise, the procedures taught were not in proper English but in Bisaylis (Bisaya mixed with English).

To my mind, this method is a wrong educational approach. Proper educational methods dictate that if you use English, use the correct English. If you use Sugboanon Bisaya, use also the correct Sugboanon Bisaya. If you will mix the two languages, it is just like teaching that corruption is alright.

When you mix the two languages, both languages will be corrupted and the language that will suffer most will be the English because it is the dominant language used in parliamentary procedures.

The Reasoning

I always ask my acquaintances this question; "Why is it when you speak English you will insist on correct grammar and when you speak Bisaya you will not insist on Bisayan grammar?" Is it not an insult to you who is a Bisaya? It shows your "colonized" mind.

The reasoning always propounded is that the Bisaylis is understandable. However, being understandable and being proper are two different things; and parliamentary procedures are always proper.

The Bisaylis maybe understandable at a low level; but when you will go into the intricacies of parliamentary procedures the proper terms will bring precision to the outcome of the debate. You must bear in mind that the English terms are mostly figures of speech. For example, how will you translate "Let us divide the house?" The literal translation is "Atong bahinon ang balay." Do you know that "patadagsà" is the precise equivalent of "divide the house?" You can just say in Bisaya, "Magpatadagsà" or "Atong patadagsáon."

Another reason is that the participants did not know the proper terms in Sugboanon Bisaya. This reason caught my attention. I have been teaching parliamentary procedures to my students in Sugboanon Bisaya for nine years already. The Sugboanon Bisaya has all the terms equivalent to the terms found in Roberts Rule or Order.

Hence it came to my mind that I might as well write a series about Sugboanon Bisaya parliamentary terms and rules adopted from Roberts Rule of Order.

Local Council

History tells us that the Datos of olden times were aided by his council of advisers. Surely you would expect that those councils already have proper procedures how to discuss things properly. Indeed, after scanning through old dictionaries, I found out that proper Bisayan terms exist that is equivalent to today's parliamentary rules.

Parliament (Kagula)

The word "parliament" came from the Old French word "parler" which means to speak. To "parley" is to discuss things properly.

The equivalent Bisayan word is Kagulà. It means to discuss properly in public the issues of common concern. The Kagulà is similar to what is happening at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City every Sunday. Some interested people will gather in a public place and debate about any topic. This situation was also the origin of the word "parliament."

Literally, kagulà means coming out. However, it was also used as coming out to the public plaza to debate (lantugi) or argue (lalis) about issues of concern (igsapayan).

Proper rules (latid) and regulations (lagdà) were observed.

Some Terms

Here are some Sugboanon Bisayan terms for now. We will have more details next issue. In fact I have collected thousands of words already.

Council = Tilingban; Councilor = Sumasambag; Board Member = Kagawad; Barangay Captain = Kapitan sa Balangay; Baganiring sa Balangay; Secretary = Kalihim; Treasuer = Mamahandi; Auditor = Tigsusipì; Mayor = Pamunò Lungsod; Presiding Officer = Tigdumalang Punoan; Chairman = Alimpay; Chair = Bitang.

Comment

If we want to enhance our pride in being what we are, then we must teach our lawmakers the proper parliamentary procedures as it was implemented locally since so many years ago.

The reasoning that the people do not know it already is not acceptable. Is English a native language to us? Why do we study it? If we teach English, which is a foreign language, why not teach the people their own language? We should be fair and realistic to ourselves.