Exploring the Controversy: Should Filipinos Replace the Latin Script with Baybayin?

As of August 2023, there is no definitive evidence suggesting that the majority of Filipinos want to wholly replace the Latin script with Baybayin. Despite a growing interest in Baybayin for its cultural and historical significance, the practical challenges associated with a complete script replacement make it unlikely that a majority would support such a change.

The Current Situation and Growing Interest in Baybayin

Baybayin, the ancient writing system of the Tagalog people, has seen a resurgence of interest, particularly in educational contexts and among cultural advocates. Surveys and studies indicate that younger generations and cultural enthusiasts appreciate the beauty and significance of Baybayin. However, the main issue is the practical challenges that accompany a complete script replacement.

Practical Challenges of a Complete Script Replacement

The transition from the Latin script to Baybayin would be a monumental undertaking that would require an entire generation or two to fully implement. Such a change would also incur significant financial costs, potentially detracting from other essential educational resources. Moreover, the adoption of Baybayin would likely decrease already low levels of literacy, making it an impractical choice for everyday communication and official purposes.

Indigenous Writing Systems and Ethnocentricity

The diversity of indigenous writing systems in the Philippines, such as the Hanunoo script, adds another layer of complexity. Choosing one script over another would not be a straightforward process. The government would need to address the issue of which indigenous script to adopt, as some are totally different from others. Furthermore, the ideology behind replacing a foreign Latin script with an equally foreign Indic script, such as Baybayin, may not align with the true indigenous symbols found in the Angono Petroglyphs. These symbols represent the actual indigenous roots of the Philippines, rather than Indian-derived scripts.

Practicality and Efficiency of Baybayin

Using Baybayin for everyday writing would be hilariously inefficient and confusing. Writing in Baybayin would be even more difficult than writing in cursive for students. It would introduce unnecessary complexity into the language, especially for a phoneme-based system like Filipino. Additionally, Baybayin lacks capital letters, which would create issues with nouns that are also names, leading to confusion and ambiguity.

Adopting Arabic Numerals versus Baybayin

Switching to Baybayin would also parallel the issue with adopting a new numerical system. Arabic numerals, while originally from the Middle East, have been widely adopted in the Philippines as they are more efficient and universally understood. Similarly, the convenience and widespread use of the Latin alphabet make it a better choice for everyday communication. Using Baybayin for local languages and Latin for English text would introduce extra complexity, similar to the Japanese katakana/kanji system.

Conclusion: Embracing the Latin Alphabet

Ultimately, Filipinos recognize the importance of preserving their rich cultural heritage, including Baybayin. However, practicality and efficiency should also be considered. The Latin alphabet is well-established, familiar, and functional in the modern world. It is better to focus on preserving and promoting Baybayin as a decorative and cultural element rather than replacing the entire writing system. As one Filipinist put it, 'We stole the shite out of that Latin alphabet; Spanish brought it but it’s ours now. Own it and walk in confidence.'