British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils showed her appreciation for Filipino, one of the major languages spoken in the country, during a video message for the celebration of Buwan ng Wika this August.
British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils (Photo from British Embassy Manila)
In a video message posted on British Embassy Manila’s Twitter page, the envoy spoke in Tagalog to greet the Philippines for its Buwan ng Wika celebration and highlight the importance of the native language in bridging cultures and differences.
“Natuto akong mag-Filipino bago ako lumipat sa Pilipinas noong 2021. Importante ito sa akin para mapahayag (a)ng aking respeto sa bansa at sa mga mamamayan nito (I learned to speak Filipino before I moved to the Philippines in 2021. This is important for me in order to show my respect for the country and its people),” she said.
“Ito rin ang tulay upang maintindihan ang iba’t ibang mga kultura at magbigay ng identitad sa mga komunidad (It also serves as the bridge to understanding culture and gives communities their own distinct identity),” the envoy added.
She also described language as a way to express one’s thoughts, feelings, and aspirations, noting how celebrating a Buwan ng Wika shows honor for the Filipino language and its history.
August is Buwan ng Wika in the Philippines. It is a month-long annual observance to promote the national language and celebrate the people that helped in its development.
Beaufils took note that August is also a month to celebrate the country’s indigenous language and dialects from different regions, which is “one of the many things that makes the Philippines unique.”
“Ako ay nakikiisa sa bawat Pilipino sa buong mundo na nagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika (I join every Filipino across the world who is celebrating Buwan ng Wika,” she said.
“Mabuhay ang Buwan ng Wika at ang Wikang Filipino (Long live Buwan ng Wika and the Filipino language),” the official added.