Interesting insights about national consciousness

Interesting article on national language, national consciousness and national identity from Prof. Randy David (“Inclusiveness begins with language,” Opinion, 8/8/13). He cited insights from Nietzche and wrote three paragraphs about them. I appreciate David’s articles on sociology, which he teaches in UP Diliman.

Indonesia, with a population of more than 200 million and with more islands than the Philippines, is fortunate to have developed its Bahasa language. Same for Malaysia, which also has its Bahasa language.

The Thais also have their own language spoken from North to South, East to West in the “Land of Smiles.” The only difference would be the accent and/or intonation in the manner it is spoken.

Vietnam, of course, has its own language just like neighboring Cambodia and Laos and faraway Burma (Myanmar).

—RICARDO RAMOS
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