BIBLIOGRAPHY RAZIL ANN BACLILI M....
BIBLIOGRAPHY
RAZIL ANN BACLILI M. MAY 2009. Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of
Multiple Languages in a Newspaper: The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Christine Grace B. Sidchogan, BSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the newspaper;
determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English,
Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being
written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the effects of using multiple
languages in a newspaper; determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple
languages in newspaper media and; determine the perceptions of reads on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media.
Based on the results of the study, majority of the respondents belonged to bracket 28-37,
majority of them were female, married, and single. Most of the respondents attained the
high school level of education.
Majority of the respondents are in favor on the use of multiple languages in newspaper
media. Majority of the respondents also recommends the use of multiple languages to
newspaper media. Most of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano dialect
more than any languages used in Newspaper.
The identified advantage of using multiple languages is that readers can easily
understand the message of the article if it was written in their own dialect. Meanwhile,
the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages in newspaper are the
readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able to understand the
article written in the dialect and; that readers will not read all the contents of the paper
because they do not appreciate the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
INTRODUCTION
Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Objectives of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Importance of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scope and Limitation of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
History of Nordis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Basis of Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Language is Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Perceptions of Respondents . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Attitudes of Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reasons for Reading Newspaper . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Respondents of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Collection/Data Gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Gathered . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio- demographic Profile of the Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Reading Practices of Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Reasons of the Publication in Using Multiple Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Effects of Using Multiple Languages to Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Attitudes of Respondents on the Use of Multiple Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reasons for Reading the Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Perceptions on the Use of Multiple Languages.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
APPENDIX
A. Interview Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
B. Sample Articles . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
In this intellectual age of dynamic world, a publication that is not globally
competitive will be left behind. Publication is the primary means of disseminating
“certified” knowledge to a larger audience, so that it can be considered in personal
decision making and public deliberations (Frankel, 2002). Since a newspaper is a form of
publication, its right to attract and hold readers is restricted by nothing but considerations
of public welfare (Malinao, 2003).
According to Malinao (2003), a good newspaper prints the important news and
provides the information, comment and guidance most useful to its readers. It reports
fully and explains the meaning of local, national, and international events, which are of
major significance in its own community. Its editorial comment provides an informed
opinion on matters of vital concern to its readers.
According to Schults (2003), as cited by Cheren (2008), since individuals in the
community are the concerns of every publication it should be put in mind that whatever
things published or written might affect the livelihood of some readers. Thus, getting
their reading preference is very important.
In Benguet and Baguio City, one of the circulated publications is the Northern
Dispatch Weekly (Nordis). The publication began its life on September 2, 1989 as a
weekly packet of news and features on Northern Luzon, with Cooper Resabal as the first
editor in chief.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
2
Nordis halted operations in the years 1999-2000 but resumed publication still as a
regional news agency on 11 April 2001 (Vol. 13 No. 1). Their first issue as a regional
weekly newspaper was published on October 11 2002 (Profile of Nordis, 2008).
They are producing and distributing weekly packets of news and feature articles
for its readers in the Northern Luzon provinces of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan
Valley. Writing from and for the grassroots is the Northern Dispatch Weekly’s cutting
edge because it has writers, if not potential writers, and networks even in the remotest
villages, which are also the most under-reported.
One of the unique features of Northern Dispatch is its usage of multiple languages
in their publication. Some of the languages that they use are Filipino, English and
Ilocano.
Local Language newspapers have a much better local connect, and the content is
more customer-centric. The fact needs to be highlighted. We need to believe that there is
a market out there for local language newspapers (Shah, 2007).
Hence, this study wants to find out the perception of readers on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media. The respondents’ perception would be of help to
bridging the gap between the reader and the newspaper publishers.
Statement of the Problem
The study dealt on the perception of the readers on the use of multiple languages
as a medium in writing articles on newspaper.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What are the socio-demographic profile of the respondents?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
3
2. What are the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper?
3. Do the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano?
4. What are the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano?
5. What are the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper?
6. What are the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media?
7. What are the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media?
Objectives of the study
The study endeavored to answer the following questions:
1. determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
2. determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper;
3. determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano.
4. determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano;
5. determine the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
4
6. determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media.
7. determine the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media.
Importance of the Study
The study would be significant to the administrators of Northern Dispatch for
them to know if their approach in writing is helpful to the readers. The study will also
served as an input in formulating and supporting the use of multiple language as a
medium in writing articles for newspapers.
The study would encourage other publications to use multiple languages as their
own publication. This could also be used by other Development Communication students
and other researchers as a basis for formulating the same scope of the study.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City because it is
where the publication is primarily circulated.
The data gathered was limited on the socio-demographic profile of the
respondents, the publications’ reason in using multiple languages on the newspaper,
determine if the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English,
Filipino, and Ilocano, determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being
written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano, the effects of using multiple languages in a
newspaper, the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in newspaper
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
5
media and, the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in newspaper
media. It was also limited to the readers of the publication in La Trinidad, Benguet and
Baguio City.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
6
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
History of Nordis
In Benguet and Baguio City, one of the circulated publications is the Northern
Dispatch Weekly (Nordis). The publication began its life on September 2, 1989 as a
weekly packet of news and features on Northern Luzon, with Cooper Resabal as the first
editor in chief.
Nordis halted operations in the years 1999-2000 but resumed publication still as a
regional news agency on April 11, 2001 (Vol. 13 No. 1). Their first issue as a regional
weekly newspaper was published on October 11 2002.
They are producing and distributing weekly packets of news and feature articles
for its readers in the Northern Luzon provinces of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan
Valley. Writing from and for the grassroots is the Northern Dispatch Weekly’s cutting
edge because it has writers, if not potential writers, and networks even in the remotest
villages, which are also the most under-reported (Nordis.net).
The Basis of Language
The language first learned is called one's native language or mother tongue; both
of these terms are figurative in that the knowledge of particular languages is not inherited
but learned behavior. Nonetheless, since the mid-20th century linguists have shown
increasing interest in the theory that, while no one is born with a predisposition toward
any particular language, all human beings are genetically endowed with the ability to
learn and use language in general (Columbia Encyclopedia).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
7
According to transformational (or generative) grammar, the idiosyncratic
vocabulary and grammatical conventions of any natural language rest on a foundation of
“deep structures,” a universal grammar underlying all languages and corresponding to an
innate capacity of the human brain. This theory implies not only that there are constraints
on what may constitute an intelligible human language, but also that, however numerous
or striking, the differences between any two languages are less fundamental than their
similarities (Chomsky, 1950 ).
Language Is Understanding
What a man cannot state he does not perfectly know, and conversely the inability
to put his thoughts into words sets a boundary to his thought, English is not merely the
medium of our thought, it is the very stuff and process of it (Atkinson, n.d.).
Atkison (n.d) also noted that a man may have a notion but the only way of
determining the value of such an impression is to express it in words, and then, and only
then, can he grasp the substance of the idea. In addition, if an author omits this step, the
risk is that the idea will not be rational but fanciful. So not even the author knows what
an idea is until it is clearly expressed in words, a quality which makes language the
essence of understanding. Diagrams and pictures may be used to support words, but it is
the word that contains the idea.
The understanding of an idea can be improved by simplifying the words used to
express the idea. The understanding of an idea can be improved by shortening the
number of words used to express the idea. The exercise of improving the expression of an
idea is the improvement of the understanding of that idea. Nevertheless, language is
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
8
merely a discipline where meaning is created by the universal adoption of the rules of
spelling and grammar.
Language is also tradition, for it is tradition that establishes the words, spelling
and grammar; hence it is tradition that forms the basis of communal understanding, so the
corruption of tradition is the corruption of communal understanding (Atkinson, n.d).
Perceptions of Respondents
Perception is our sensory experience of the world around us and involves both the
recognition of environmental stimuli and actions in response to these stimuli. Through
the perceptual process, we gain information about properties and elements of the
environment that are critical to our survival. Perception not only creates our experience of
the world around us, it allows us to act within our environment (Wagner, 2008).
According to Myer (2005), perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of
things, people, happenings or ides. Judgments involve all the ways of coming to
conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they
perceived and in how they reach conclusions then it is reasonable for them to differ
correspondingly in their interest, reactions, values, motivations and skills.
When you seek to convince, persuade or otherwise change other people's minds,
the language you use is extremely important. Each word is a little packet of meaning
from which the other person infers understanding.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
9
Attitudes of Respondents
According to Myers as cited by Panonot (2006), attitude refers to a favorable or
unfavorable evaluation reaction towards something or someone exhibited in one’s beliefs,
feeling, or extended behavior.
Attitude is also a predisposition to respond in certain way to a person, object,
situation, event or idea. The response may come without conscious reflection. A person
who shows a certain attitude is more enduring than a mood or whim; it produces a
consistent response (Encyclopedia Americana, 2000).
According to Wells (1989), as cited by Bardoquin (2008), opinion research is
used to check how people feel about other people, products and brands, appeals and
contemporary trends. Attitudes reflect consumers’ values. They tell the world what we
stand for and identify the things and ideas we consider important. They also track our
positive and negative reactions to things in our life.
Reasons for Reading Newspaper
Reasons for reading newspapers, according to John McIntyre (2008), the
managing editor of Content Intelligence, a new publication from Lyra Research in
Newtonville, Mass. He served as the Managing Editor of an industry-leading newsletter
and also authored several industry reports. McIntyre said that despite the accessibility of
a rich digital environment, people are still buying and reading newspapers. Honing in on
the reason why raises the question, what is the most important reason why people read or
subscribe to a newspaper?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
10
First is that people enjoy the medium's portability because they can take it
wherever they go, and second, they say the medium contains information they cannot get
from another source-information we presume they must deem essential because they
often devote precious time to retrieving it.
The portability factor is perhaps a surprise winner. Portability and
wherever/whenever usability are key factors in newspaper readership, especially among
younger readers who are driven by a mobile and varied lifestyle. Newspapers also
contained better or more detailed information than what they can get elsewhere.
Moreover some older readers said that newspaper reading had become a habit and that
they do not like reading from a PC screen, a sentiment that has led many to speculate that
the web will never replace paper. Exclusiveness of the information offered by
newspapers is another reason for reading or subscribing to newspaper. Newspapers had
unique information readers couldn't get elsewhere. People also looked in newspapers for
community and regional general and business news and for obituaries.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
11
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and in Baguio City since it is
where the publication is primarily circulated.
The study was conducted on December 2008- January 2009.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study were the readers of the publication in Baguio and La
Trinidad, Benguet.
There were 50 respondents, 25 of which were from Baguio City, and the other 25
were from La Trinidad. The criteria in choosing the respondents were the following:
a. respondents should be eighteen years old and above; and
b. they should be reading Nordis.
Respondents were selected through purposive sampling.
Data Collection
Personal interview was done with the writers of Northern Dispatch and an
interview schedule was furnished to gather information needed in the study. The
questionnaire contained necessary questions that were related to the objectives of the
study.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Figure 1. Map of La Trinidad, Benguet showing the locale of the study
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
13
Figure 2. Map of Baguio City showing the locale of the study
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
14
Data Gathered
The data gathered focused on the socio-demographic profile of the respondents,
the publication’s reasons in using multiple languages on the newspaper, determine if the
newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English, Filipino, and
Ilocano, determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano, the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper, the
attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in newspaper media and, the
perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in newspaper media.
Data Analysis
The data gathered were tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts,
percentages and descriptive analysis.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio- demographic Profile of the Respondents
Out of 115 people asked if they were reading Nordis, 50 people said yes.
Table 1 presents the general characteristics of the respondents in terms of sex,
age, civil status, and educational attainment, ethnic affiliation, and religion.
Age. A percentage of 36 respondents belonged to age bracket of 28-37. It was
followed by age bracket of 18-27 (26%). Moreover, 20% of the respondents belonged to
18-27 while 18% respondents belonged to age bracket 47-57.
Sex. There were 50 respondents interviewed and majority or 62% of them were
female and 38% were male.
Civil status. Majority or 62% of the respondents were married, and 40% of the
respondents were single.
Educational attainment. From the 50 respondents, 40% attained the high school
level of education. In addition, 32% reached the elementary level of education while 28%
of the respondents finished the college level of education. These findings mean that the
respondents attended formal education.
Tribal affiliation. Among the 50 respondents, 36% were Ibaloi and Ilocano while
28% were Kankana-ey.
Religion. Majority or 48% of the respondents were Roman Catholic, 30% were
Born Again and 22% were Pentecost.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
16
Table 1. Socio-demographic profile of the respondents
CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE
Age
18-27
yrs
old
13
26
28-37
yrs
old
18
36
38-47
yrs
old
10
20
47 -57 yrs old
9
18
TOTAL
50
100
Sex
Male
16
32
Female
34
38
TOTAL
50
100
Civil status
Married
31
62
Single
19
38
TOTAL
50
100
Educational attainment
College
16
32
High
school
20
40
Elementary
14
28
TOTAL
50
100
Tribal affiliation
Kankana-ey
14
28
Ibaloi
18
36
Ilocano
18
36
TOTAL
50
100
Religion
Roman Catholic
24
48
Born Again
15
30
Pentecost
11
22
TOTAL
50
100
Reading Practices of Readers
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
17
Table 2 presents the frequency of respondents in reading Nordis. Most (38%) of
the respondents read Nordis 2-3 times a month while 28% read it weekly. Only 18% of
the respondents read the paper if there is Nordis available and 16% read it once a month.
Table 3 shows the languages used by Nordis which their readers prefer most.
Majority (48%) of the readers prefered to read English and Ilocano articles. Since most of
the readers attended formal education, it followed that at least most of them understood
English, and Ilocano dialect is the common language which most of the people from
Northern Luzon speaks. Meanwhile, 22% prefer to read English and Filipino articles.
Their main reason is that they want to enhance their knowledge on these two major
languages.
On the other hand, 12%, prefer to read Filipino and Ilocano articles because the
respondents easily understood these languages. Moreover, only 10% wants to read
English articles because this does not reveal the identity of the people from Northern
Luzon and 8% wants to read Filipino articles.
Table 2. Frequency of the respondents in reading Nordis
CHARACTERISTIC
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Weekly
14
28
2-3 times a month
19
38
Once a month
8
16
If there is available Nordis that
9
18
I can read
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
18
Table 3. Languages used by Nordis that the readers prefer most
SECTIONS FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
English
&
Ilocano
24
48
English
&
Filipino
11
22
Filipino
&
Ilocano
6 12
English 5 10
Filipino 4 8
TOTAL
50
100
Table 4 shows the languages used by Nordis that their readers understood most. It
came out that most (44%) of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano
dialect more than any languages used in Newspaper since most of the provinces in
Northern Luzon speaks Ilocano. Meanwhile, 30% understood Filipino and 27%
understood English when reading newspapers. There is still a high percentage of readers
who understand English because all of the readers attended formal education.
Table 4. Languages used by Nordis that the readers understood most
LANGUAGES
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Ilocano 22
44
English 15
27
Filipino 13
30
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
19
Reasons of the Publication in Using Multiple Languages
Listed below are the reasons of the writers in using multiple languages in their
publication. The writers used these reasons as their motivation in pursuing the practice of
using multiple languages in their publication. These reasons were identified through
personal interview with the staff of Nordis.
The use of multiple languages in newspaper delivers the news better to the
readers of Northern Luzon, who are usually multi-lingual. The staff of Nordis believed
that they can convey their messages clearly to the readers because they have an option as
to what dialect will they use in writing, which they think is proper for a certain topic that
they will write.
This will also reach-out wider readers who can comprehend community
languages. If the articles were written in local languages, the staff believed that readers
who can not understand or does not like to read English articles will buy their newspaper
because they have an option as to what articles will they read. This supported the
statement taken from Columbia Encyclopedia which states that there is no person born
with a predisposition toward any particular language, all human beings are genetically
endowed with the ability to learn and use language in general.
The writers’ preference is the primary consideration as to why articles are written
in such language. The writers can write their articles using a language where they are
comfortable with. Also, according to the Editor in Chief, it is the writers’ discretion if
their articles are to be written in Ilocano, Filipino or English (example articles on pages
37-39).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
20
The publication does not have a standard in identifying what articles are to be
written in such language. Nordis do not also have any regulation on what subjects or
issues are to be written in a particular language (example articles on pages 35-36).
Effects of Using Multiple Languages to Readers
Table 5 shows the effects of using multiple languages to newspaper media, 30%
of the respondents said that the paper gave them a sense of belongingness because it
makes them feel that they are involved in the issues of their community.
Accordingly, the respondents appreciate the articles written in their dialects
because they feel that the publication is giving importance to them. Respondents also said
that they feel the impact of the articles if it were written in their own dialect, like the
issues on health and some news report.
Moreover, 14% of the respondents claimed that the use of multiple languages in
newspaper caught their attention and that it makes them appreciate the use of local
languages. As what some of the respondents said, there are only few newspapers that are
using multiple languages as their medium in writing articles. Because of these, some of
the respondents said that it attracts them to read the whole article
Meanwhile, 12% of the respondents said that the use of multiple languages
promotes the use of local languages on newspapers. Some respondents believed that local
languages should also be used because this shows the identity of a certain community.
Also, 10% asserted that it persuades them to read the whole article because it
amuses them. Some respondents said that they are entertained in reading different
languages that the writers make use of.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Table 5. Effects of using multiple languages in newspaper media
EFFECTS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Gives a sense of belongingness
15
30
It makes me appreciate the local languages 7
14
Catches
attention
7 14
Promotes the use of local language
6
12
Persuades to read the whole
article
5 10
Adds interest to reading the
articles
4 8
Persuades to buy the newspaper
3
6
Makes the readers encourage other people
3
6
they know to read the newspaper
TOTAL
50
100
On the other hand, 8% claimed that the use of multiple languages adds interest to
their reading because it entertains them and 6% said that it persuades them to buy the
newspaper and that it makes them to encourage other people they know to buy the
newspaper so they would also appreciate the use of local languages in newspapers.
Attitudes of Respondents on the Use of Multiple
Languages in Newspaper Media
Table 6 presents the attitudes of respondents on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media. Majority or 54% of the respondents were in favor on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media. The leading answer of the respondents was
because it promotes the use of local languages in newspaper and it gives them a sense of
belongingness wherein they felt that they are involved in the topic especially if it praises
them. Accordingly, the respondents appreciated the articles written in their dialects
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
22
because they feel that they are giving importance to them and that they feel the impact of
the articles if it were written in their own dialect.
In connection to this, 58% of the respondents recommended the use of multiple
languages because it gives readers an option as to what articles should they read and can
understand, English, Ilocano or Filipino article. Some of the respondents also said that
they wanted to recommend it because if the article is written in the readers’ dialect, the
message touches them. These imply that the use of local languages appeal to the human
emotion of the readers.
On the other hand, 46% of the respondents are not in favor on the use of multiple
languages because according to them, the use of multiple languages makes the newspaper
unorganized because of the mixtures of the different languages that were used. Also,
some readers are having a hard time in reading local dialects especially if the writers used
deeper words.
Because of this, forty two percent (42%) of the respondents does not like to
recommend the use of multiple languages to newspaper publications because they prefer
English as a medium in newspaper media. According to the respondents, using multiple
languages in newspapers distracts their reading, in a way that the languages used are
confusing because it is too many. Also, it makes the newspaper unpleasing and
unorganized because the medium in writing the articles is mixed up. As what the
respondents said, they are not used to see a newspaper which is multi lingual.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
23
Table 6. Attitudes of respondents on the use of multiple languages in newspaper media
CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Positive attitudes
In favor on the use of
multiple
languages
27
54
Willing to recommend
the use of multiple languages
29
58
Negative attitudes
Not in favor on the use of
multiple
languages
23
46
Not willing to recommend
the use of local languages
21
42
TOTAL 50
100
Reasons of the Respondents for Reading the Publication
Table 7 shows the respondents reason in reading Nordis. Fifty percent (50%) of
the respondents read Nordis because they wanted to get information on what is happening
in their own provinces. Thirty percent of the respondents also read the paper since they
can easily understand the content of the paper. According to them, the terms that were
used in the publication are at least easy to understand. Meanwhile, 20 of respondents
read the Nordis because the paper entertains them.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
24
Table 7. Reasons of the respondents for reading the publication
REASONS FOR READING FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
To
gather
information
25
50
Easy
to
understand
15
30
It entertains
10
20
TOTAL
50
100
According to the respondents, the topics written in multiple languages are
informative (52%) because it gives detailed information on what is happening around
them. On the other hand, 26% told that it helps them know the latest news because
accordingly, the news articles from the publication are up to date. Meanwhile, 22%
claimed that it is educational especially on the health related topics.
Moreover, results of the study shows that the number of articles written in
multiple languages for each weekly publication is not enough. According to the
respondents, the articles written in Ilocano are very few (50%) while 27% % claimed that
there are more English articles than Filipino and Ilocano articles. This revealed that the
publication should lessen the number of articles written in English and increase the
number of articles written in other languages like Filipino and Ilocano. Meanwhile,
respondents also said that there are very few articles written in Filipino (27%).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
25
Table 8. Perceptions of the respondents on the articles written in multiple languages
CHARACTERISTIC
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
It
is
informative 26
52
Issues are up to date
13
26
It
is
educational
11
22
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions on the use of Multiple Languages
Writers
of
Nordis. According to the publication staff, the use of multiple
languages can reach a wider audience and it can help the readers to easily grasp the idea
of the writer. They believed that the use of different languages is a tool so that they can
express their thought in a way that their readers can understand easily. On the other hand,
the writers of Nordis did not claim any disadvantages of using multiple languages in
newspaper.
Readers. Table 9 presents the advantages of using multiple languages in
newspaper media as perceived by the respondents. The leading answer on the advantages
is that readers can easily understand the message of the article if it was written in their
own dialect (58%). According to the respondents, they easily understood the articles
written in their own language because it is the same dialect that they are using in their
daily life.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
26
Table 9. Advantages of using multiple languages in Nordis as perceived by readers
REASONS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Message is easily understood
28 58
It can reach a wider audience because
12 24
readers who cannot understand English
have other options to read like Filipino and
Ilocano
articles
Multiple languages can capture the attention 9
18
of readers because of its uniqueness
TOTAL 50
100
This is followed by: it can reach a wider audience because readers who cannot
understand English have other options to read like Filipino and Ilocano articles (24%).
This shows that the publication acknowledges the fact that not all of their readers
can understand the English language. Lastly, the use of multiple languages can capture
the attention of readers because of its uniqueness (18%).
On the other hand, the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages
in newspaper are: the readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be
able to understand the article written in the dialect (70%) and 30% said that readers will
not read all the contents of the paper because they do not appreciate the use of multiple
languages in newspaper. According to some respondents, they lose interest in reading
when the language that was used is not what they were used to read like pure English or
Ilocano articles. Because of this, some of the articles in the newspaper are left unread.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
27
Table 10. Disadvantages of using multiple languages in Nordis as perceived by readers
REASONS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Readers who cannot understand
Ilocano or other dialects will not
be able tounderstand the article
written
in
the
dialect.
35
70
Readers will not read all the contents
of the paper because they do not appreciate
the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
15
30
TOTAL 50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
28
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
This study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic profile of the
respondents; determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper; determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written
in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper
are being written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the effects of using multiple
languages in a newspaper; determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple
languages in newspaper media and; determine the perceptions of reads on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media.
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and in Baguio City since it is
where the publication is primarily circulated. The study was conducted on December
2008- January 2009.
Personal interview was done with the writers of Northern Dispatch and a survey
questionnaire was furnished to gather information needed in the study. The data gathered
was tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and descriptive analysis.
Based on the results of the study, 36% of the respondents belonged to bracket 28-
37. There were 50 respondents interviewed and majority of them were female and only
32% were male. Majority of the respondents were married, and 33% were single. Most of
the respondents attained the high school level of education. Among the 50 respondents,
36% were Ibaloi and Ilocano while 28% were Kankana-ey. Majority of the respondents
are Roman Catholic.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
29
Majority of the respondents are in favor on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media. Majority of the respondents also recommends the use of multiple
languages because it gives readers an option as to what articles should they read and can
understand, either English, Ilocano or Filipino article.
Most of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano dialect more than
any languages used in Newspaper.
On the other hand, the advantage of using multiple languages is that readers can
easily understand the message of the article if it was written in their own dialect (58%).
Meanwhile, the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper is that readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able
to understand the article written in the dialect (70%) and 30% said that readers will not
read all the contents of the paper because they do not appreciate the use of multiple
languages in newspaper.
Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. Majority of the respondents were on their middle age, female, and all of them
attended formal education.
2. The readers of Nordis read the paper to be updated on what is happening
around them and their neighboring provinces.
3. The respondents prefer to read English and Ilocano articles.
4. The respondents had mostly positive perceptions and attitudes on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper publication.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
30
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following
recommendations were made.
1. Nordis, if possible, should have more Ilocano articles on their paper because it
is what their readers understood most.
2. Nordis should continue the use of multiple languages in their publication
because their readers are in favor of this practice.
3. Since the readers prefer to read English and Ilocano articles, Nordis should
consider these two languages as the primary languages of their weekly publication.
4. A similar study should be conducted in other areas to compare the results.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
31
LITERATURE CITED
ATKINSON, P. (n.d.). Understanding language. Retrieved November 10, 2008 from
http:ourcivilization.com/understand.htm.
BARDOQUIN, J. 2008. Perceptions and attitude towards agricultural advertisement
on television among vegetable farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet. BS Thesis.
Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 6.
CHEREN, C. 2008. Readership of the Mountain Province monitor among Bontoc
residents. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 1.
CHOMSKY, N. 1950. Constraints to human languages. Retrieved June 16, 2009 from
http:// en. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Noam_Chomsky
DINGGO, C. S. 2005. Perceptions on radio commentors of the two AM stations in
Baguio City. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 5.
ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA 2000. Volume 21. P. 689.
FRANKEL, 2002. What is publication? Retrieved November 10, 2008 from
http://writing.publicayio.htm.
MALANES, M. 2007. Reading practices of readers. Retrieved September 26, 2008 from
http://reading practices.htm.
MALINAO, A. 2003. Journalism for Filipinos and Campus and Community Journalism
Handbook.
McINTYRE, 2008. Reasons for reading newspaper. Retrieved September 19, 2008 from
http:// reasons for reading.htm.
MYER, I. 2005. Jung’s Theory of Psychological Types and MBTI Instrument. Retrieved
November 10, 2008 from http:// www.org.the MBTI/overview.cfm.
PANONOT, M. 2006. Level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of backyard swine
raisers on the FMD information campaign in Tuba Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 8.
SHAH, 2007. NMA: Building the advertizing Revenue. Retrieved November 15, 2008
from,
http://
perception.about.htm.
WAGNER, K. 2008. Definition of perception. Retrieved from http:// psychology. About.
com/ od/ sensation and perceptions/ss/htm.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
32
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Interview Schedule
SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENT
Name: ___________________________________Age: _______
Sex: _____ Male _____Female
Civil Status:
____Single _____
Separated
____ Married
_____ Widow/widower
Educational Attainment
____Elementary
_____High School
____ College
_____ Vocational
_____ No formal education
Tribal Affiliation:
____ Kankana-ey
_____Ilocano
____ Ibaloi
_____ Others (please Specify)
Religion: _____________
READING PRACTICES OF READERS
1. How did you come to know about Nordis?
__________________________________________________________________
How often do you read Nordis?
_____ Weekly
____ Once a month
_____ 2-3 times a month
____ If there is available Nordis that I can read
2. What are the articles with multiple languages that you have read?
_____ News ____Editorial _____ Column _____ Feature
____ Health
3. When reading the newspaper, what section do you prefer to read most?
__Headlines __ News reports
__ editorial
__ Column
__ Health news
__ feature
__ others( pls. specify)
4. What language used on Nordis do you read most?
____ English
___ Filipino ___ Ilocano ____ Filipino and Ilocano
____ Filipino and English ___ English and Ilocano ____ All languages
5. What language do you understand more when reading newspapers?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
33
__ English
__ Filipino
__ Ilocano
__ Others (pls. specify)
6. What are your reasons for reading articles written in multiple languages?
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
7. What can you say about the topics written on multiple languages?
___ Informative ___ It is educational
___ It helps you know the latest
news
___ It is offensive ___ others( pls. specify
8. Do you think the number of articles written in multiple languages for each weekly
publication enough?
_______Yes,Why?
_______No, why?
___ Very few articles were written in Ilocano
___ Very few articles were written in Filipino
___ Very few articles were written in English
___ There are more English articles than Filipino and Ilocano articles
ATTITUDES OF RESPONDENTS ON THE USE OF MULTIPLE LANGUAGES
1. Are you in favor on the use of multiple languages in Nordis?
____Yes,why?_________________________________________________________
____No, why?_________________________________________________________
2. Are you willing to recommend the continuity of the use of multiple languages to
Nordis?
____Yes,why?_________________________________________________________
____No,why? _________________________________________________________
RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE USE OF MULTIPLE LAGUAGES IN
NORDIS
1. What are the advantages of using multiple languages in newspaper media?
_____ Readers can easily understand the message
_____ It can reach a wider audience because readers who cannot understand
English have other options to read like the Filipino and Ilocano articles.
_____ The use of multi-language can capture the attention of readers because of
its uniqueness.
2. What are the disadvantages of using multiple languages in newspaper media?
_____ Readers will not read all the contents of the paper because they do not
appreciate the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
_____ Readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able to
understand the article written in the dialect
_____Others(pls.specify)________________________________________________
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
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34
3. What can you suggest for the improvement of Nordis (In terms of the languages
used)?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
EFFECTS OF USING MULTIPLE LANGUAGES IN NORDIS
____ It gives me a sense of belongingness ____ It catches my attention
____ It promotes the use of local language ____ It persuades me to read the whole
article
____ It adds interest to my reading
____ It persuades me to buy the
newspaper
____ It makes me encourage other people I know to read the newspaper
____ It makes me appreciate the local languages used
____(others.Pls.)specify)________________________________________________
Why?
_____________________________________________________________________
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
35
APPENDIX B
Interview Schedule
Name:________________
Age:__________________
Position:__________
Date:
1. What are your reasons in using multiple languages in your newspaper?
2. Does your publication have standards in identifying what articles are to be written
in Filipino, English and Ilocano.
3. What are your reasons why articles are written in different languages?
4. What do you think are the effects of using multiple languages on newspapers to
readers?
5. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using multiple
languages on newspaper?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
36
APPENDIX C
Sample of Nordis Articles Written in Multiple Languages
Alyansa ng magsasaka sa Cabugao, IS binuo
February 18,2008
Rod Tajon
CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur (Feb. 10) — Mahigit tatlumpung lider at organisador
magsasaka ang nagtipun-tipon upang isulong ang pagkakaisa ng mga magsasaka sa
unang asembliya ng Alyansa iti kumpang ti Cabugao (ALKUMPAC) noong Pebrero 10
sa Brgy. Bato, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
Ang nasabing asembliya ay pinangunahan ng Solidarity of Peasants Against
Exploitation (STOP Exploitation), ang panrehiyong alyansa ng mga magsasaka. Ayon
kay Zaldy Alfiler, pangkalahatang kalihim ng STOP Exploitation, layon ng nasabing
asembliya na pagkaisahin ang mga magsasaka sa bayan ng Cabugao upang higit pang
maitaguyod ang isyung kinahaharap ng mga magsasaka sa nasabing bayan.
“Malaking tulong ang muling pagtitipun-tipon ng mga magsasaka dito upang
manindigan sa kanilang mga karapatan sa gitna ng pasistang atake ng rehimeng Arroyo,”
dagdag pa ni Alfiler.
Sa kasalukuyan, ilan sa mga isyung hinaharap ng mga magsasaka sa nasabing
bayan ay ang pagkansela sa mga Certificate of Land Transfer (CLT) na may 22
apektadong magsasaka, militarisasyon at paglabag sa karapatang pantao, at mababang
presyo ng mga produktong agrikultural tulad ng tabako.
Nahalal bilang tagapangulo si Santos Aquino at pangalawang tagapangulo at
pangkalahatang kalihim sina Romeo at Elmer Serrano. Samantala, nahalal bilang ingat-
yaman si Cresencio Baclig at tagasuri si Pacifico Aquino. Nahirang naman bilang mga
Human Rights at Women Officer sina Gemma Purisima, Evangeline Castillo at Rosita
Serrano.
Maglulunsad ang ALKUMPAC ng mga serye ng pagkilos tulad ng dialogue,
porum at picket sa mga ahensya ng tulad ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at
iba pang ahensya ng gobyernong may direktang kontrol sa mga lupain ng mga
magsasaka.
Ayon kay Alfiler, pangungunahan ng ALKUMPAC ang pakikibaka ng magsasaka
lalo na sa barangay Bato at Lipit kung saan nagkaroon ng pagkansela sa mga CLT.
“Hindi titigil ang mga magsasaka sa pagigiit ng kanilang karapatang ariin ang
lupang kanilang minana pa sa kanilang mga ninuno. Ang mga lupaing ito ay dapat bawiin
at ipagkaloob sa mga tunay na may-ari nito, ang mga magsasaka ng Lipit at Bato,”
pagwawakas ni Alfiler. # Rod Tajon/ NORDIS
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
37
Turista, midya nakitunod idiay Ifugao
February 11, 2008
Ces Peta
HUNGDUAN, Ifugao (Feb. 10) — Naisayangkat ti Tunod Ad Hungduan idi
Pebrero 9-10, sadiay barangay Hapao, iti daytoy a munisipyo tapno awisen ti imatang
dagiti turista ken umili iti kinapateg dagiti paypayew iti inaldaw a kabibiag ti tattao
sadiay.
Ti Tunod ket maysa a tradisyon a maisaysayangkat a ti gandat na ket maingato ti
kaammuan dagiti turista iti kinapateg ti rice terraces saan laeng a gapu iti kinapintas na
no di ket tapno maammuan da a nasken a masaluadan daytoy kas paset ti napateg a
kultura dagiti nainsigudan nga umili.
Segun iti panagbuya dagiti opisyales ti probinsya, saan nga adayo a mapukpukaw
ti interes dagiti sigud nga agay-aywan kadagiti payew nga isu ti nagtaudan dagiti kultural
a tradisyon ti Ifugao. Isu daytoy ti gapu na a ti Ifugao Rice Terraces ket naibilang
kadagiti endagered world heritage sites iti United Nations.
Maysa pay a gandat daytoy a tinawen nga aktibidad ti mangipakita ken
mangiparikna kadagiti umili ti kinapateg dagitoy a daga kas paset ti nainsigudan a kultura
a rumbeng nga aywanan ken padur-asen da.
Nabingay dagiti nag-atendar iti tallo a grupo. Naipan da kadagiti tallo a payew
tapno aktwal a padasen da ti ag-tunod. Naiturong ti irigasyon kadagiti paypayew ken
naisagana dagitoy para iti bunubon a maitunod. Ditoy a naturog dagiti nakitunod ken
adda naisayangkat a cultural night iti dayta met laeng a rabii.
Dagiti payew iti Ifugao ket nabayag a nagserbi a pagbiagan dagiti nainsigudan
nga umili. Addang-addang dagitoy inggana iti ngato ti bantay a napno pay dagiti kaykayo
ken isu met ti paggapuan ti danum a para iti irigasyon ken dadduma pay nga usar a para
balay. Malaksid iti Hungduan, adda met ti paypayew iti Banaue, Mayoyao ken Kiangan.
Dagiti payew ti mangsus-sustento ti ekonomya ti probinsya, segun kenni Gov.
Teodoro Baguilat. Turismo ken agrikultura ti pagbibiagan dagiti tattao, kunna.
Inatendaran daytoy ti pito-pulo (70) a katao manipud kadagiti naduma-duma nga
ahensya ti gobyerno, eskwelaan ken umili ti Ifugao nga agigyan iti Manila ken media
manipud a nagapo pay iti Baguio City.
Daytoy nga aktibidad ket inisponsoran ti Save The Ifugao Terraces Movement
(SITMO), ti lokal a gobyerno ti Hunduan ken ti probinsya. # Ces Peta para iti NORDIS
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
38
Puor manen!
March 8, 2009
Aldwin G. Quitasol
On March 2, at around 2:00A.M., a fire torched the fruits and vegetable section of
the Baguio City public market. As stall owners watch their wares and moneys turn into
ashes and firemen desperately train their water hoses towards the fire, I managed to talk
to some of them.
Reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection revealed that 242 stalls were gutted by
the fire which occurred at 2:46 a.m. and razed Buildings 1 and 2 of the vegetable section
and tobacco section. Nine other adjoining stalls were also destroyed.Initial damage was
placed at P6 million in terms of city properties destroyed. The vendors losses were
estimated at P40 million.
Mr. Albert 54. “Alas dos ti parbangon a nagrugi diay apoy, apagdanun ko ditoy
iti 2:10A.M. ket dakkelen ken agwarwaras a kasla ngay napuyutan. No kitkitan tayo ket
kasla per phase met ti puor” (The fire started at 2:00A.M., when I arrived here at
2:10A.M. the fire is already big and spreading to other parts, it is like being blown. If we
analyze it the fire is happening per phase).
Helen Rivera 61. Seller of fruits and plastic, hails from La Trinidad, Benguet and
started selling in 1973 with an estimated capital of more than P300,000.
“Saanak a nairaman idiay immuna a puor ngem itatta maikadua, awanen, nagbalin
a dapo ti lakok. Kuna da a faulty wirings ti gapu na ti puor ngem saan tayo nga amo ta
awan met ti husto a nakakita. Saan tayo nga ammo talaga no ania ti gagara na daytoy a
puor ngem saan a maikkat a baka naplantsa ta adda met diay isyu idi a plano da a
patakderan ditoy ti Uniwide.” (I was not included in the first fire and now my wares
turned into ashes. They say that the fire is due to faulty electrical wirings but we do not
know because no one had seen it. We do not know the motives behind but we cannot set
aside the possibilities that it was planned and there is a plan of building the Uniwide here
before.
She added that the best thing the city government can do now is to help us rebuild
our stalls at the soonest. “Mayat a nu marelocate kami a dagus ngem maymayat manen nu
iistimar da a dagus ditoy ket makasubli kami,” (It is good if we will be relocated
immediately but it is much better if they will repair it immediately and we will be able to
come back.)
Romy Navarro 53. Their family started selling in the public market wayback
1950s. They sell peanut butter and other pasalubong products.
“Daytoy laeng ti source of income mi, itatta ket saan min nga ammo no kasano
kamin. Di tayo ammo no daytoy ket naigagara ngem mabalbalin a kasdiay”, (This is our
only source of income, we do not know how we can cope up. We do not know if this fire
is intentional but that can be).
Paula Lawek 60. She started selling fruits, peanut brittles and pasalubong items
in 1977.
“Adda nang-igagara, ngem no kayat da met a nga ipilit talaga diay panagiserrek
da ti Uniwide ket saan dakami met a nga puoran.” (The fire was started purposedly, but if
they still insist of building the Uniwide they should not burn us.) #
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
39
Ang huling hirit sa 2007
December 31, 2007
Mabilis talaga ang panahon. Parang kailan lang sinasalubong natin ang pagpasok
ng taong 2007, ngayon ay mamamaalam na naman tayo. Pero bago natin tuluyang iwanan
ang taong 2007, samahan ninyo ako sa pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga talaga namang kaokray-
okray na mga isyung hinarap natin. Mga kaganapang gumulantang at nagpasakit sa ating
mga ulo at bigyan natin ng award ang mga salarin.
Kung noong nakaraang 2006 ay tatlo lang ang nabigyan ng award, mas marami
nitong 2007.
Nangunguna sa aking listahan ang hindi matapus-tapos na BGH flyover. Hindi ba
talaga namang nakakabwisit, sabi ng mga may pakana ng proyektong ito, makakatulong
ang flyover para maibsan ang trapik sa BGH rotunda. Pero may trapik nga ba roon?
Matagal na nabinbin ang nasabing proyekto dahil kulang umano sa pondo. Mula sa unang
P88 milyon na hininging budget naging P280 milyon. Sabi ng Deparment of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) nagkamali sila sa pagkwenta ng budget. Ang nakakaloka
pa rito, winaldas muna ng DPWH ang naunang budget tsaka sila nagreklamong kulang
pala ito. Sinisisi pa nila ang mga mamamayang tumututol sa pagpapatayo ng flyover.
Kung hindi sana ipinilit ang proyektong ito, wala sanang sakit sa ulo ngayon, di ba?
Itong pangalawa sa listahan ko ay tunay na nakakainis. Maalala ninyo yung mga paper
bags na may lamang P250,000 hanggang P500,000 na pera na ipinamudmod sa mga
kongresista sa Malacañang? Iyong pamumudmod mismo ng pera ay nakakainis na, lalo
pa kung maalala ninyo ang naging komento ng kongresista ng Baguio. Mantakin mo ba
naman ang natanggap daw ni Rep. Mauricio Domogan ng baguio City ay “regular
allowance” daw niya na P200,000 lamang para sa pamasahe at iba pang gastusin sa
bakasyon. Ano pa man ang itawag sa perang natanggap ng mga kongresista ang malaking
tanong pa rin ay saan galing ang pera at bakit sa Malacañang ipinamudmod. Ano sa
tingin mo Tatang Mateo?
E yung empleyado ng Baguio City Schools Division ng Department of Education
(DepEd) na binugbog at muntik patayin ng kapwa empleyado naalala pa ninyo? Tama,
siya si Ginang Sofia Bermudez , Data Encoder Machine Operator (DEMO) na muntik
hambalusin ng malaki at mabigat na typewriter ni Mr. Wilgetcortez Godoy sa harap ng
kanilang mga superior. Ayon kay Sofia inawat pa nga ng isa sa kanyang mga superior
niya si Mr. Godoy. Sa kasamaaang palad tikom naman ang bibig ng mga superior nila
tungkol sa nasabing insidente. Kawawang Sofia, iniwan sa ere ng kanyang mga bosing.
Nariyan din ang walang humpay na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis na patuloy na
nagpapahirap sa ating lahat higit lalo sa sektor ng transportasyon. Kung ilang ulit nang
nagtaas ng presyo ng langis ngayong taon aba hindi ko na mabilang at lalong mas
masakit sa bulsa bilangin kung magkano na ang itinaas. Kung akala ninyo ang mga tsuper
lang apektado sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, ay malaking pagkakamali ‘yan kaibigan.
Kasabay ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis ay ang pagtaas din ng presyo ng mga
pangunahing bilihin. Masisisi ba natin ang kapatid nating mga tsuper kung hihingi sila ng
dagdag na pamasahe?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
40
Kung matatandaan din natin noong nakaraang Baguio Flower Fest (BFF) kung
saan nagmistulang parada ng mga politiko ang flower fest parade. Mantakin mo ba
namang sumama ang mga politiko sa parada na may kanya kanyang gimik samantalang
sinabi ng mga organizer ng BFF na hindi nila pasasalihin ang kahit na sinong politiko sa
parada upang maiwasan ang pamumulitika sa taunang pagdiriwang na ito. Tatang Mateo,
what you think, mahina ba magbantay ang mga BFF organizers o tuso lang talaga at
matinik ang mga politiko?
Hindi ko rin mapapalampas ang pakana ng Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) na kung anu-anong mga pagsasanay kunyari para lang
makakolekta ng mas maraming pera sa ating mga kababayang nais makipagsapalaran sa
ibang bansa. Magsasakripisyo na nga ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa na
madalas pa ay minamaltrato ng mga dayuhang amo huhuthutan pa ng mga ahensya ng
gobyerno. Ang saklap naman talaga ng buhay ng Pinoy.
Lalong hindi ko rin makakalimutan ang kalokohan ng pamahalaang panlungsod
ng Baguio. Maglaan ba naman ng P20 milyon para lang mangutang ng sasakyan ng mga
konsehal, bise-mayor at alkalde samantalang ang daming maaring pagkagastusan sa
siyudad. Nariyang kulang ang health center, walang maayos na parubig, kulang ang
sasakyan ng mga pulis, may mga sirang kalsada at marami pang iba. Kung hindi ka ba
naman manggalaiti, ewan ko na lang.
Pasok din sa aking listahan ang pagpapasara ng pamunuan ng University of Northern
Philippines (UNP) sa Tandem, ang pahayagang magaaral nito. Malinaw na pagkitil ito sa
kalayaan sa pamamahayag ng mga magaaral. Hindi pa nakontento ang pamunuan ng
UNP at pati mga staff ng naturang pahayagan ay tinatakot at pinagbabawalang pumasok
sa paaralan. Talaga naman, kahit saan ka mapunta umaabuso ang mga nasa
kapangyarihan.
Saluduhan naman natin ang ating mga kapulisan. Kamakailan lamang ay
inilunsad ng ating kapulisan ang kanilang programang pagbabalik sa mabuting imahe ng
Mamang Pulis. Aba’y mabuti naman at inamin din ng pamunuan ng ating kapulisan na
kinakailangan nang magbago ang imahe ng pulis. Sa dami ba naman ng mga pulis na
nasasangkot sa iba’t ibang mga iligal at hindi kanaisnais na mga aktibidad, ewan ko na
lang kung paano nila maipapatupad ang batas.
Huli man sa aking listahan, talaga namang nakakaloka. Katulad ng daan daang
biktima ng pamamaslang pampulitika sa bansa, ang pamilya Doton ay patuloy pa ring
umaasa na isang araw mahuhuli at mananagot ang mga walang-awang pumaslang kay
Ama Jose Doton. Larawan ito ng sistema ng hustisya sa ating bansa.
Hay, nakakaimbyerna magbigay ng award sa mga pasaway. Pero mga kapatid, palagay
ko hindi ako mauubusan ng ookrayin. Kaya samahan ninyo pa rin ako sa taong 2008.
Patuloy tayong mangutya sa mga dapat lang kutyain baka sakali matauhan naman sila at
tumino.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
RAZIL ANN BACLILI M. MAY 2009. Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of
Multiple Languages in a Newspaper: The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Christine Grace B. Sidchogan, BSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the newspaper;
determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English,
Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being
written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the effects of using multiple
languages in a newspaper; determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple
languages in newspaper media and; determine the perceptions of reads on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media.
Based on the results of the study, majority of the respondents belonged to bracket 28-37,
majority of them were female, married, and single. Most of the respondents attained the
high school level of education.
Majority of the respondents are in favor on the use of multiple languages in newspaper
media. Majority of the respondents also recommends the use of multiple languages to
newspaper media. Most of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano dialect
more than any languages used in Newspaper.
The identified advantage of using multiple languages is that readers can easily
understand the message of the article if it was written in their own dialect. Meanwhile,
the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages in newspaper are the
readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able to understand the
article written in the dialect and; that readers will not read all the contents of the paper
because they do not appreciate the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
INTRODUCTION
Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Objectives of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Importance of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scope and Limitation of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
History of Nordis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Basis of Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Language is Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Perceptions of Respondents . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Attitudes of Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reasons for Reading Newspaper . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Respondents of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Collection/Data Gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Gathered . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio- demographic Profile of the Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Reading Practices of Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Reasons of the Publication in Using Multiple Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Effects of Using Multiple Languages to Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Attitudes of Respondents on the Use of Multiple Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reasons for Reading the Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Perceptions on the Use of Multiple Languages.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
APPENDIX
A. Interview Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
B. Sample Articles . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
In this intellectual age of dynamic world, a publication that is not globally
competitive will be left behind. Publication is the primary means of disseminating
“certified” knowledge to a larger audience, so that it can be considered in personal
decision making and public deliberations (Frankel, 2002). Since a newspaper is a form of
publication, its right to attract and hold readers is restricted by nothing but considerations
of public welfare (Malinao, 2003).
According to Malinao (2003), a good newspaper prints the important news and
provides the information, comment and guidance most useful to its readers. It reports
fully and explains the meaning of local, national, and international events, which are of
major significance in its own community. Its editorial comment provides an informed
opinion on matters of vital concern to its readers.
According to Schults (2003), as cited by Cheren (2008), since individuals in the
community are the concerns of every publication it should be put in mind that whatever
things published or written might affect the livelihood of some readers. Thus, getting
their reading preference is very important.
In Benguet and Baguio City, one of the circulated publications is the Northern
Dispatch Weekly (Nordis). The publication began its life on September 2, 1989 as a
weekly packet of news and features on Northern Luzon, with Cooper Resabal as the first
editor in chief.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
2
Nordis halted operations in the years 1999-2000 but resumed publication still as a
regional news agency on 11 April 2001 (Vol. 13 No. 1). Their first issue as a regional
weekly newspaper was published on October 11 2002 (Profile of Nordis, 2008).
They are producing and distributing weekly packets of news and feature articles
for its readers in the Northern Luzon provinces of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan
Valley. Writing from and for the grassroots is the Northern Dispatch Weekly’s cutting
edge because it has writers, if not potential writers, and networks even in the remotest
villages, which are also the most under-reported.
One of the unique features of Northern Dispatch is its usage of multiple languages
in their publication. Some of the languages that they use are Filipino, English and
Ilocano.
Local Language newspapers have a much better local connect, and the content is
more customer-centric. The fact needs to be highlighted. We need to believe that there is
a market out there for local language newspapers (Shah, 2007).
Hence, this study wants to find out the perception of readers on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media. The respondents’ perception would be of help to
bridging the gap between the reader and the newspaper publishers.
Statement of the Problem
The study dealt on the perception of the readers on the use of multiple languages
as a medium in writing articles on newspaper.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What are the socio-demographic profile of the respondents?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
3
2. What are the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper?
3. Do the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano?
4. What are the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano?
5. What are the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper?
6. What are the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media?
7. What are the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media?
Objectives of the study
The study endeavored to answer the following questions:
1. determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
2. determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper;
3. determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano.
4. determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano;
5. determine the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
4
6. determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media.
7. determine the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media.
Importance of the Study
The study would be significant to the administrators of Northern Dispatch for
them to know if their approach in writing is helpful to the readers. The study will also
served as an input in formulating and supporting the use of multiple language as a
medium in writing articles for newspapers.
The study would encourage other publications to use multiple languages as their
own publication. This could also be used by other Development Communication students
and other researchers as a basis for formulating the same scope of the study.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City because it is
where the publication is primarily circulated.
The data gathered was limited on the socio-demographic profile of the
respondents, the publications’ reason in using multiple languages on the newspaper,
determine if the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English,
Filipino, and Ilocano, determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being
written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano, the effects of using multiple languages in a
newspaper, the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in newspaper
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
5
media and, the perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in newspaper
media. It was also limited to the readers of the publication in La Trinidad, Benguet and
Baguio City.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
6
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
History of Nordis
In Benguet and Baguio City, one of the circulated publications is the Northern
Dispatch Weekly (Nordis). The publication began its life on September 2, 1989 as a
weekly packet of news and features on Northern Luzon, with Cooper Resabal as the first
editor in chief.
Nordis halted operations in the years 1999-2000 but resumed publication still as a
regional news agency on April 11, 2001 (Vol. 13 No. 1). Their first issue as a regional
weekly newspaper was published on October 11 2002.
They are producing and distributing weekly packets of news and feature articles
for its readers in the Northern Luzon provinces of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan
Valley. Writing from and for the grassroots is the Northern Dispatch Weekly’s cutting
edge because it has writers, if not potential writers, and networks even in the remotest
villages, which are also the most under-reported (Nordis.net).
The Basis of Language
The language first learned is called one's native language or mother tongue; both
of these terms are figurative in that the knowledge of particular languages is not inherited
but learned behavior. Nonetheless, since the mid-20th century linguists have shown
increasing interest in the theory that, while no one is born with a predisposition toward
any particular language, all human beings are genetically endowed with the ability to
learn and use language in general (Columbia Encyclopedia).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
7
According to transformational (or generative) grammar, the idiosyncratic
vocabulary and grammatical conventions of any natural language rest on a foundation of
“deep structures,” a universal grammar underlying all languages and corresponding to an
innate capacity of the human brain. This theory implies not only that there are constraints
on what may constitute an intelligible human language, but also that, however numerous
or striking, the differences between any two languages are less fundamental than their
similarities (Chomsky, 1950 ).
Language Is Understanding
What a man cannot state he does not perfectly know, and conversely the inability
to put his thoughts into words sets a boundary to his thought, English is not merely the
medium of our thought, it is the very stuff and process of it (Atkinson, n.d.).
Atkison (n.d) also noted that a man may have a notion but the only way of
determining the value of such an impression is to express it in words, and then, and only
then, can he grasp the substance of the idea. In addition, if an author omits this step, the
risk is that the idea will not be rational but fanciful. So not even the author knows what
an idea is until it is clearly expressed in words, a quality which makes language the
essence of understanding. Diagrams and pictures may be used to support words, but it is
the word that contains the idea.
The understanding of an idea can be improved by simplifying the words used to
express the idea. The understanding of an idea can be improved by shortening the
number of words used to express the idea. The exercise of improving the expression of an
idea is the improvement of the understanding of that idea. Nevertheless, language is
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
8
merely a discipline where meaning is created by the universal adoption of the rules of
spelling and grammar.
Language is also tradition, for it is tradition that establishes the words, spelling
and grammar; hence it is tradition that forms the basis of communal understanding, so the
corruption of tradition is the corruption of communal understanding (Atkinson, n.d).
Perceptions of Respondents
Perception is our sensory experience of the world around us and involves both the
recognition of environmental stimuli and actions in response to these stimuli. Through
the perceptual process, we gain information about properties and elements of the
environment that are critical to our survival. Perception not only creates our experience of
the world around us, it allows us to act within our environment (Wagner, 2008).
According to Myer (2005), perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of
things, people, happenings or ides. Judgments involve all the ways of coming to
conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they
perceived and in how they reach conclusions then it is reasonable for them to differ
correspondingly in their interest, reactions, values, motivations and skills.
When you seek to convince, persuade or otherwise change other people's minds,
the language you use is extremely important. Each word is a little packet of meaning
from which the other person infers understanding.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
9
Attitudes of Respondents
According to Myers as cited by Panonot (2006), attitude refers to a favorable or
unfavorable evaluation reaction towards something or someone exhibited in one’s beliefs,
feeling, or extended behavior.
Attitude is also a predisposition to respond in certain way to a person, object,
situation, event or idea. The response may come without conscious reflection. A person
who shows a certain attitude is more enduring than a mood or whim; it produces a
consistent response (Encyclopedia Americana, 2000).
According to Wells (1989), as cited by Bardoquin (2008), opinion research is
used to check how people feel about other people, products and brands, appeals and
contemporary trends. Attitudes reflect consumers’ values. They tell the world what we
stand for and identify the things and ideas we consider important. They also track our
positive and negative reactions to things in our life.
Reasons for Reading Newspaper
Reasons for reading newspapers, according to John McIntyre (2008), the
managing editor of Content Intelligence, a new publication from Lyra Research in
Newtonville, Mass. He served as the Managing Editor of an industry-leading newsletter
and also authored several industry reports. McIntyre said that despite the accessibility of
a rich digital environment, people are still buying and reading newspapers. Honing in on
the reason why raises the question, what is the most important reason why people read or
subscribe to a newspaper?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
10
First is that people enjoy the medium's portability because they can take it
wherever they go, and second, they say the medium contains information they cannot get
from another source-information we presume they must deem essential because they
often devote precious time to retrieving it.
The portability factor is perhaps a surprise winner. Portability and
wherever/whenever usability are key factors in newspaper readership, especially among
younger readers who are driven by a mobile and varied lifestyle. Newspapers also
contained better or more detailed information than what they can get elsewhere.
Moreover some older readers said that newspaper reading had become a habit and that
they do not like reading from a PC screen, a sentiment that has led many to speculate that
the web will never replace paper. Exclusiveness of the information offered by
newspapers is another reason for reading or subscribing to newspaper. Newspapers had
unique information readers couldn't get elsewhere. People also looked in newspapers for
community and regional general and business news and for obituaries.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
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11
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and in Baguio City since it is
where the publication is primarily circulated.
The study was conducted on December 2008- January 2009.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study were the readers of the publication in Baguio and La
Trinidad, Benguet.
There were 50 respondents, 25 of which were from Baguio City, and the other 25
were from La Trinidad. The criteria in choosing the respondents were the following:
a. respondents should be eighteen years old and above; and
b. they should be reading Nordis.
Respondents were selected through purposive sampling.
Data Collection
Personal interview was done with the writers of Northern Dispatch and an
interview schedule was furnished to gather information needed in the study. The
questionnaire contained necessary questions that were related to the objectives of the
study.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
12
Figure 1. Map of La Trinidad, Benguet showing the locale of the study
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
13
Figure 2. Map of Baguio City showing the locale of the study
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
14
Data Gathered
The data gathered focused on the socio-demographic profile of the respondents,
the publication’s reasons in using multiple languages on the newspaper, determine if the
newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written in English, Filipino, and
Ilocano, determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper are being written in
English, Filipino, and Ilocano, the effects of using multiple languages in a newspaper, the
attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple languages in newspaper media and, the
perceptions of readers on the use of multiple languages in newspaper media.
Data Analysis
The data gathered were tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts,
percentages and descriptive analysis.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio- demographic Profile of the Respondents
Out of 115 people asked if they were reading Nordis, 50 people said yes.
Table 1 presents the general characteristics of the respondents in terms of sex,
age, civil status, and educational attainment, ethnic affiliation, and religion.
Age. A percentage of 36 respondents belonged to age bracket of 28-37. It was
followed by age bracket of 18-27 (26%). Moreover, 20% of the respondents belonged to
18-27 while 18% respondents belonged to age bracket 47-57.
Sex. There were 50 respondents interviewed and majority or 62% of them were
female and 38% were male.
Civil status. Majority or 62% of the respondents were married, and 40% of the
respondents were single.
Educational attainment. From the 50 respondents, 40% attained the high school
level of education. In addition, 32% reached the elementary level of education while 28%
of the respondents finished the college level of education. These findings mean that the
respondents attended formal education.
Tribal affiliation. Among the 50 respondents, 36% were Ibaloi and Ilocano while
28% were Kankana-ey.
Religion. Majority or 48% of the respondents were Roman Catholic, 30% were
Born Again and 22% were Pentecost.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
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Table 1. Socio-demographic profile of the respondents
CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE
Age
18-27
yrs
old
13
26
28-37
yrs
old
18
36
38-47
yrs
old
10
20
47 -57 yrs old
9
18
TOTAL
50
100
Sex
Male
16
32
Female
34
38
TOTAL
50
100
Civil status
Married
31
62
Single
19
38
TOTAL
50
100
Educational attainment
College
16
32
High
school
20
40
Elementary
14
28
TOTAL
50
100
Tribal affiliation
Kankana-ey
14
28
Ibaloi
18
36
Ilocano
18
36
TOTAL
50
100
Religion
Roman Catholic
24
48
Born Again
15
30
Pentecost
11
22
TOTAL
50
100
Reading Practices of Readers
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
17
Table 2 presents the frequency of respondents in reading Nordis. Most (38%) of
the respondents read Nordis 2-3 times a month while 28% read it weekly. Only 18% of
the respondents read the paper if there is Nordis available and 16% read it once a month.
Table 3 shows the languages used by Nordis which their readers prefer most.
Majority (48%) of the readers prefered to read English and Ilocano articles. Since most of
the readers attended formal education, it followed that at least most of them understood
English, and Ilocano dialect is the common language which most of the people from
Northern Luzon speaks. Meanwhile, 22% prefer to read English and Filipino articles.
Their main reason is that they want to enhance their knowledge on these two major
languages.
On the other hand, 12%, prefer to read Filipino and Ilocano articles because the
respondents easily understood these languages. Moreover, only 10% wants to read
English articles because this does not reveal the identity of the people from Northern
Luzon and 8% wants to read Filipino articles.
Table 2. Frequency of the respondents in reading Nordis
CHARACTERISTIC
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Weekly
14
28
2-3 times a month
19
38
Once a month
8
16
If there is available Nordis that
9
18
I can read
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Table 3. Languages used by Nordis that the readers prefer most
SECTIONS FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
English
&
Ilocano
24
48
English
&
Filipino
11
22
Filipino
&
Ilocano
6 12
English 5 10
Filipino 4 8
TOTAL
50
100
Table 4 shows the languages used by Nordis that their readers understood most. It
came out that most (44%) of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano
dialect more than any languages used in Newspaper since most of the provinces in
Northern Luzon speaks Ilocano. Meanwhile, 30% understood Filipino and 27%
understood English when reading newspapers. There is still a high percentage of readers
who understand English because all of the readers attended formal education.
Table 4. Languages used by Nordis that the readers understood most
LANGUAGES
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Ilocano 22
44
English 15
27
Filipino 13
30
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
19
Reasons of the Publication in Using Multiple Languages
Listed below are the reasons of the writers in using multiple languages in their
publication. The writers used these reasons as their motivation in pursuing the practice of
using multiple languages in their publication. These reasons were identified through
personal interview with the staff of Nordis.
The use of multiple languages in newspaper delivers the news better to the
readers of Northern Luzon, who are usually multi-lingual. The staff of Nordis believed
that they can convey their messages clearly to the readers because they have an option as
to what dialect will they use in writing, which they think is proper for a certain topic that
they will write.
This will also reach-out wider readers who can comprehend community
languages. If the articles were written in local languages, the staff believed that readers
who can not understand or does not like to read English articles will buy their newspaper
because they have an option as to what articles will they read. This supported the
statement taken from Columbia Encyclopedia which states that there is no person born
with a predisposition toward any particular language, all human beings are genetically
endowed with the ability to learn and use language in general.
The writers’ preference is the primary consideration as to why articles are written
in such language. The writers can write their articles using a language where they are
comfortable with. Also, according to the Editor in Chief, it is the writers’ discretion if
their articles are to be written in Ilocano, Filipino or English (example articles on pages
37-39).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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The publication does not have a standard in identifying what articles are to be
written in such language. Nordis do not also have any regulation on what subjects or
issues are to be written in a particular language (example articles on pages 35-36).
Effects of Using Multiple Languages to Readers
Table 5 shows the effects of using multiple languages to newspaper media, 30%
of the respondents said that the paper gave them a sense of belongingness because it
makes them feel that they are involved in the issues of their community.
Accordingly, the respondents appreciate the articles written in their dialects
because they feel that the publication is giving importance to them. Respondents also said
that they feel the impact of the articles if it were written in their own dialect, like the
issues on health and some news report.
Moreover, 14% of the respondents claimed that the use of multiple languages in
newspaper caught their attention and that it makes them appreciate the use of local
languages. As what some of the respondents said, there are only few newspapers that are
using multiple languages as their medium in writing articles. Because of these, some of
the respondents said that it attracts them to read the whole article
Meanwhile, 12% of the respondents said that the use of multiple languages
promotes the use of local languages on newspapers. Some respondents believed that local
languages should also be used because this shows the identity of a certain community.
Also, 10% asserted that it persuades them to read the whole article because it
amuses them. Some respondents said that they are entertained in reading different
languages that the writers make use of.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Table 5. Effects of using multiple languages in newspaper media
EFFECTS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Gives a sense of belongingness
15
30
It makes me appreciate the local languages 7
14
Catches
attention
7 14
Promotes the use of local language
6
12
Persuades to read the whole
article
5 10
Adds interest to reading the
articles
4 8
Persuades to buy the newspaper
3
6
Makes the readers encourage other people
3
6
they know to read the newspaper
TOTAL
50
100
On the other hand, 8% claimed that the use of multiple languages adds interest to
their reading because it entertains them and 6% said that it persuades them to buy the
newspaper and that it makes them to encourage other people they know to buy the
newspaper so they would also appreciate the use of local languages in newspapers.
Attitudes of Respondents on the Use of Multiple
Languages in Newspaper Media
Table 6 presents the attitudes of respondents on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media. Majority or 54% of the respondents were in favor on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media. The leading answer of the respondents was
because it promotes the use of local languages in newspaper and it gives them a sense of
belongingness wherein they felt that they are involved in the topic especially if it praises
them. Accordingly, the respondents appreciated the articles written in their dialects
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
22
because they feel that they are giving importance to them and that they feel the impact of
the articles if it were written in their own dialect.
In connection to this, 58% of the respondents recommended the use of multiple
languages because it gives readers an option as to what articles should they read and can
understand, English, Ilocano or Filipino article. Some of the respondents also said that
they wanted to recommend it because if the article is written in the readers’ dialect, the
message touches them. These imply that the use of local languages appeal to the human
emotion of the readers.
On the other hand, 46% of the respondents are not in favor on the use of multiple
languages because according to them, the use of multiple languages makes the newspaper
unorganized because of the mixtures of the different languages that were used. Also,
some readers are having a hard time in reading local dialects especially if the writers used
deeper words.
Because of this, forty two percent (42%) of the respondents does not like to
recommend the use of multiple languages to newspaper publications because they prefer
English as a medium in newspaper media. According to the respondents, using multiple
languages in newspapers distracts their reading, in a way that the languages used are
confusing because it is too many. Also, it makes the newspaper unpleasing and
unorganized because the medium in writing the articles is mixed up. As what the
respondents said, they are not used to see a newspaper which is multi lingual.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Table 6. Attitudes of respondents on the use of multiple languages in newspaper media
CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Positive attitudes
In favor on the use of
multiple
languages
27
54
Willing to recommend
the use of multiple languages
29
58
Negative attitudes
Not in favor on the use of
multiple
languages
23
46
Not willing to recommend
the use of local languages
21
42
TOTAL 50
100
Reasons of the Respondents for Reading the Publication
Table 7 shows the respondents reason in reading Nordis. Fifty percent (50%) of
the respondents read Nordis because they wanted to get information on what is happening
in their own provinces. Thirty percent of the respondents also read the paper since they
can easily understand the content of the paper. According to them, the terms that were
used in the publication are at least easy to understand. Meanwhile, 20 of respondents
read the Nordis because the paper entertains them.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
24
Table 7. Reasons of the respondents for reading the publication
REASONS FOR READING FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
To
gather
information
25
50
Easy
to
understand
15
30
It entertains
10
20
TOTAL
50
100
According to the respondents, the topics written in multiple languages are
informative (52%) because it gives detailed information on what is happening around
them. On the other hand, 26% told that it helps them know the latest news because
accordingly, the news articles from the publication are up to date. Meanwhile, 22%
claimed that it is educational especially on the health related topics.
Moreover, results of the study shows that the number of articles written in
multiple languages for each weekly publication is not enough. According to the
respondents, the articles written in Ilocano are very few (50%) while 27% % claimed that
there are more English articles than Filipino and Ilocano articles. This revealed that the
publication should lessen the number of articles written in English and increase the
number of articles written in other languages like Filipino and Ilocano. Meanwhile,
respondents also said that there are very few articles written in Filipino (27%).
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
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Table 8. Perceptions of the respondents on the articles written in multiple languages
CHARACTERISTIC
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
It
is
informative 26
52
Issues are up to date
13
26
It
is
educational
11
22
TOTAL
50
100
Perceptions on the use of Multiple Languages
Writers
of
Nordis. According to the publication staff, the use of multiple
languages can reach a wider audience and it can help the readers to easily grasp the idea
of the writer. They believed that the use of different languages is a tool so that they can
express their thought in a way that their readers can understand easily. On the other hand,
the writers of Nordis did not claim any disadvantages of using multiple languages in
newspaper.
Readers. Table 9 presents the advantages of using multiple languages in
newspaper media as perceived by the respondents. The leading answer on the advantages
is that readers can easily understand the message of the article if it was written in their
own dialect (58%). According to the respondents, they easily understood the articles
written in their own language because it is the same dialect that they are using in their
daily life.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
26
Table 9. Advantages of using multiple languages in Nordis as perceived by readers
REASONS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Message is easily understood
28 58
It can reach a wider audience because
12 24
readers who cannot understand English
have other options to read like Filipino and
Ilocano
articles
Multiple languages can capture the attention 9
18
of readers because of its uniqueness
TOTAL 50
100
This is followed by: it can reach a wider audience because readers who cannot
understand English have other options to read like Filipino and Ilocano articles (24%).
This shows that the publication acknowledges the fact that not all of their readers
can understand the English language. Lastly, the use of multiple languages can capture
the attention of readers because of its uniqueness (18%).
On the other hand, the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages
in newspaper are: the readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be
able to understand the article written in the dialect (70%) and 30% said that readers will
not read all the contents of the paper because they do not appreciate the use of multiple
languages in newspaper. According to some respondents, they lose interest in reading
when the language that was used is not what they were used to read like pure English or
Ilocano articles. Because of this, some of the articles in the newspaper are left unread.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
27
Table 10. Disadvantages of using multiple languages in Nordis as perceived by readers
REASONS
FREQUENCY (n=50) PERCENTAGE (%)
Readers who cannot understand
Ilocano or other dialects will not
be able tounderstand the article
written
in
the
dialect.
35
70
Readers will not read all the contents
of the paper because they do not appreciate
the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
15
30
TOTAL 50
100
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
28
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
This study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic profile of the
respondents; determine the reasons of the publication in using multiple languages in the
newspaper; determine the newspaper have standards as to what articles are to be written
in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the reasons why the articles in the newspaper
are being written in English, Filipino, and Ilocano; determine the effects of using multiple
languages in a newspaper; determine the attitudes of readers towards the use of multiple
languages in newspaper media and; determine the perceptions of reads on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper media.
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet and in Baguio City since it is
where the publication is primarily circulated. The study was conducted on December
2008- January 2009.
Personal interview was done with the writers of Northern Dispatch and a survey
questionnaire was furnished to gather information needed in the study. The data gathered
was tabulated and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and descriptive analysis.
Based on the results of the study, 36% of the respondents belonged to bracket 28-
37. There were 50 respondents interviewed and majority of them were female and only
32% were male. Majority of the respondents were married, and 33% were single. Most of
the respondents attained the high school level of education. Among the 50 respondents,
36% were Ibaloi and Ilocano while 28% were Kankana-ey. Majority of the respondents
are Roman Catholic.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
29
Majority of the respondents are in favor on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper media. Majority of the respondents also recommends the use of multiple
languages because it gives readers an option as to what articles should they read and can
understand, either English, Ilocano or Filipino article.
Most of the respondents claimed that they understood Ilocano dialect more than
any languages used in Newspaper.
On the other hand, the advantage of using multiple languages is that readers can
easily understand the message of the article if it was written in their own dialect (58%).
Meanwhile, the identified disadvantages on the use of multiple languages in
newspaper is that readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able
to understand the article written in the dialect (70%) and 30% said that readers will not
read all the contents of the paper because they do not appreciate the use of multiple
languages in newspaper.
Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. Majority of the respondents were on their middle age, female, and all of them
attended formal education.
2. The readers of Nordis read the paper to be updated on what is happening
around them and their neighboring provinces.
3. The respondents prefer to read English and Ilocano articles.
4. The respondents had mostly positive perceptions and attitudes on the use of
multiple languages in newspaper publication.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
30
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following
recommendations were made.
1. Nordis, if possible, should have more Ilocano articles on their paper because it
is what their readers understood most.
2. Nordis should continue the use of multiple languages in their publication
because their readers are in favor of this practice.
3. Since the readers prefer to read English and Ilocano articles, Nordis should
consider these two languages as the primary languages of their weekly publication.
4. A similar study should be conducted in other areas to compare the results.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
31
LITERATURE CITED
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on television among vegetable farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet. BS Thesis.
Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 6.
CHEREN, C. 2008. Readership of the Mountain Province monitor among Bontoc
residents. BS Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 1.
CHOMSKY, N. 1950. Constraints to human languages. Retrieved June 16, 2009 from
http:// en. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Noam_Chomsky
DINGGO, C. S. 2005. Perceptions on radio commentors of the two AM stations in
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ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA 2000. Volume 21. P. 689.
FRANKEL, 2002. What is publication? Retrieved November 10, 2008 from
http://writing.publicayio.htm.
MALANES, M. 2007. Reading practices of readers. Retrieved September 26, 2008 from
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MALINAO, A. 2003. Journalism for Filipinos and Campus and Community Journalism
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http:// reasons for reading.htm.
MYER, I. 2005. Jung’s Theory of Psychological Types and MBTI Instrument. Retrieved
November 10, 2008 from http:// www.org.the MBTI/overview.cfm.
PANONOT, M. 2006. Level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of backyard swine
raisers on the FMD information campaign in Tuba Benguet. BS Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 8.
SHAH, 2007. NMA: Building the advertizing Revenue. Retrieved November 15, 2008
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http://
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Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
32
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Interview Schedule
SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENT
Name: ___________________________________Age: _______
Sex: _____ Male _____Female
Civil Status:
____Single _____
Separated
____ Married
_____ Widow/widower
Educational Attainment
____Elementary
_____High School
____ College
_____ Vocational
_____ No formal education
Tribal Affiliation:
____ Kankana-ey
_____Ilocano
____ Ibaloi
_____ Others (please Specify)
Religion: _____________
READING PRACTICES OF READERS
1. How did you come to know about Nordis?
__________________________________________________________________
How often do you read Nordis?
_____ Weekly
____ Once a month
_____ 2-3 times a month
____ If there is available Nordis that I can read
2. What are the articles with multiple languages that you have read?
_____ News ____Editorial _____ Column _____ Feature
____ Health
3. When reading the newspaper, what section do you prefer to read most?
__Headlines __ News reports
__ editorial
__ Column
__ Health news
__ feature
__ others( pls. specify)
4. What language used on Nordis do you read most?
____ English
___ Filipino ___ Ilocano ____ Filipino and Ilocano
____ Filipino and English ___ English and Ilocano ____ All languages
5. What language do you understand more when reading newspapers?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
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33
__ English
__ Filipino
__ Ilocano
__ Others (pls. specify)
6. What are your reasons for reading articles written in multiple languages?
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
7. What can you say about the topics written on multiple languages?
___ Informative ___ It is educational
___ It helps you know the latest
news
___ It is offensive ___ others( pls. specify
8. Do you think the number of articles written in multiple languages for each weekly
publication enough?
_______Yes,Why?
_______No, why?
___ Very few articles were written in Ilocano
___ Very few articles were written in Filipino
___ Very few articles were written in English
___ There are more English articles than Filipino and Ilocano articles
ATTITUDES OF RESPONDENTS ON THE USE OF MULTIPLE LANGUAGES
1. Are you in favor on the use of multiple languages in Nordis?
____Yes,why?_________________________________________________________
____No, why?_________________________________________________________
2. Are you willing to recommend the continuity of the use of multiple languages to
Nordis?
____Yes,why?_________________________________________________________
____No,why? _________________________________________________________
RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE USE OF MULTIPLE LAGUAGES IN
NORDIS
1. What are the advantages of using multiple languages in newspaper media?
_____ Readers can easily understand the message
_____ It can reach a wider audience because readers who cannot understand
English have other options to read like the Filipino and Ilocano articles.
_____ The use of multi-language can capture the attention of readers because of
its uniqueness.
2. What are the disadvantages of using multiple languages in newspaper media?
_____ Readers will not read all the contents of the paper because they do not
appreciate the use of multiple languages in newspaper.
_____ Readers who cannot understand Ilocano or other dialects will not be able to
understand the article written in the dialect
_____Others(pls.specify)________________________________________________
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
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34
3. What can you suggest for the improvement of Nordis (In terms of the languages
used)?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
EFFECTS OF USING MULTIPLE LANGUAGES IN NORDIS
____ It gives me a sense of belongingness ____ It catches my attention
____ It promotes the use of local language ____ It persuades me to read the whole
article
____ It adds interest to my reading
____ It persuades me to buy the
newspaper
____ It makes me encourage other people I know to read the newspaper
____ It makes me appreciate the local languages used
____(others.Pls.)specify)________________________________________________
Why?
_____________________________________________________________________
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
35
APPENDIX B
Interview Schedule
Name:________________
Age:__________________
Position:__________
Date:
1. What are your reasons in using multiple languages in your newspaper?
2. Does your publication have standards in identifying what articles are to be written
in Filipino, English and Ilocano.
3. What are your reasons why articles are written in different languages?
4. What do you think are the effects of using multiple languages on newspapers to
readers?
5. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using multiple
languages on newspaper?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
36
APPENDIX C
Sample of Nordis Articles Written in Multiple Languages
Alyansa ng magsasaka sa Cabugao, IS binuo
February 18,2008
Rod Tajon
CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur (Feb. 10) — Mahigit tatlumpung lider at organisador
magsasaka ang nagtipun-tipon upang isulong ang pagkakaisa ng mga magsasaka sa
unang asembliya ng Alyansa iti kumpang ti Cabugao (ALKUMPAC) noong Pebrero 10
sa Brgy. Bato, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
Ang nasabing asembliya ay pinangunahan ng Solidarity of Peasants Against
Exploitation (STOP Exploitation), ang panrehiyong alyansa ng mga magsasaka. Ayon
kay Zaldy Alfiler, pangkalahatang kalihim ng STOP Exploitation, layon ng nasabing
asembliya na pagkaisahin ang mga magsasaka sa bayan ng Cabugao upang higit pang
maitaguyod ang isyung kinahaharap ng mga magsasaka sa nasabing bayan.
“Malaking tulong ang muling pagtitipun-tipon ng mga magsasaka dito upang
manindigan sa kanilang mga karapatan sa gitna ng pasistang atake ng rehimeng Arroyo,”
dagdag pa ni Alfiler.
Sa kasalukuyan, ilan sa mga isyung hinaharap ng mga magsasaka sa nasabing
bayan ay ang pagkansela sa mga Certificate of Land Transfer (CLT) na may 22
apektadong magsasaka, militarisasyon at paglabag sa karapatang pantao, at mababang
presyo ng mga produktong agrikultural tulad ng tabako.
Nahalal bilang tagapangulo si Santos Aquino at pangalawang tagapangulo at
pangkalahatang kalihim sina Romeo at Elmer Serrano. Samantala, nahalal bilang ingat-
yaman si Cresencio Baclig at tagasuri si Pacifico Aquino. Nahirang naman bilang mga
Human Rights at Women Officer sina Gemma Purisima, Evangeline Castillo at Rosita
Serrano.
Maglulunsad ang ALKUMPAC ng mga serye ng pagkilos tulad ng dialogue,
porum at picket sa mga ahensya ng tulad ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at
iba pang ahensya ng gobyernong may direktang kontrol sa mga lupain ng mga
magsasaka.
Ayon kay Alfiler, pangungunahan ng ALKUMPAC ang pakikibaka ng magsasaka
lalo na sa barangay Bato at Lipit kung saan nagkaroon ng pagkansela sa mga CLT.
“Hindi titigil ang mga magsasaka sa pagigiit ng kanilang karapatang ariin ang
lupang kanilang minana pa sa kanilang mga ninuno. Ang mga lupaing ito ay dapat bawiin
at ipagkaloob sa mga tunay na may-ari nito, ang mga magsasaka ng Lipit at Bato,”
pagwawakas ni Alfiler. # Rod Tajon/ NORDIS
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
37
Turista, midya nakitunod idiay Ifugao
February 11, 2008
Ces Peta
HUNGDUAN, Ifugao (Feb. 10) — Naisayangkat ti Tunod Ad Hungduan idi
Pebrero 9-10, sadiay barangay Hapao, iti daytoy a munisipyo tapno awisen ti imatang
dagiti turista ken umili iti kinapateg dagiti paypayew iti inaldaw a kabibiag ti tattao
sadiay.
Ti Tunod ket maysa a tradisyon a maisaysayangkat a ti gandat na ket maingato ti
kaammuan dagiti turista iti kinapateg ti rice terraces saan laeng a gapu iti kinapintas na
no di ket tapno maammuan da a nasken a masaluadan daytoy kas paset ti napateg a
kultura dagiti nainsigudan nga umili.
Segun iti panagbuya dagiti opisyales ti probinsya, saan nga adayo a mapukpukaw
ti interes dagiti sigud nga agay-aywan kadagiti payew nga isu ti nagtaudan dagiti kultural
a tradisyon ti Ifugao. Isu daytoy ti gapu na a ti Ifugao Rice Terraces ket naibilang
kadagiti endagered world heritage sites iti United Nations.
Maysa pay a gandat daytoy a tinawen nga aktibidad ti mangipakita ken
mangiparikna kadagiti umili ti kinapateg dagitoy a daga kas paset ti nainsigudan a kultura
a rumbeng nga aywanan ken padur-asen da.
Nabingay dagiti nag-atendar iti tallo a grupo. Naipan da kadagiti tallo a payew
tapno aktwal a padasen da ti ag-tunod. Naiturong ti irigasyon kadagiti paypayew ken
naisagana dagitoy para iti bunubon a maitunod. Ditoy a naturog dagiti nakitunod ken
adda naisayangkat a cultural night iti dayta met laeng a rabii.
Dagiti payew iti Ifugao ket nabayag a nagserbi a pagbiagan dagiti nainsigudan
nga umili. Addang-addang dagitoy inggana iti ngato ti bantay a napno pay dagiti kaykayo
ken isu met ti paggapuan ti danum a para iti irigasyon ken dadduma pay nga usar a para
balay. Malaksid iti Hungduan, adda met ti paypayew iti Banaue, Mayoyao ken Kiangan.
Dagiti payew ti mangsus-sustento ti ekonomya ti probinsya, segun kenni Gov.
Teodoro Baguilat. Turismo ken agrikultura ti pagbibiagan dagiti tattao, kunna.
Inatendaran daytoy ti pito-pulo (70) a katao manipud kadagiti naduma-duma nga
ahensya ti gobyerno, eskwelaan ken umili ti Ifugao nga agigyan iti Manila ken media
manipud a nagapo pay iti Baguio City.
Daytoy nga aktibidad ket inisponsoran ti Save The Ifugao Terraces Movement
(SITMO), ti lokal a gobyerno ti Hunduan ken ti probinsya. # Ces Peta para iti NORDIS
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
38
Puor manen!
March 8, 2009
Aldwin G. Quitasol
On March 2, at around 2:00A.M., a fire torched the fruits and vegetable section of
the Baguio City public market. As stall owners watch their wares and moneys turn into
ashes and firemen desperately train their water hoses towards the fire, I managed to talk
to some of them.
Reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection revealed that 242 stalls were gutted by
the fire which occurred at 2:46 a.m. and razed Buildings 1 and 2 of the vegetable section
and tobacco section. Nine other adjoining stalls were also destroyed.Initial damage was
placed at P6 million in terms of city properties destroyed. The vendors losses were
estimated at P40 million.
Mr. Albert 54. “Alas dos ti parbangon a nagrugi diay apoy, apagdanun ko ditoy
iti 2:10A.M. ket dakkelen ken agwarwaras a kasla ngay napuyutan. No kitkitan tayo ket
kasla per phase met ti puor” (The fire started at 2:00A.M., when I arrived here at
2:10A.M. the fire is already big and spreading to other parts, it is like being blown. If we
analyze it the fire is happening per phase).
Helen Rivera 61. Seller of fruits and plastic, hails from La Trinidad, Benguet and
started selling in 1973 with an estimated capital of more than P300,000.
“Saanak a nairaman idiay immuna a puor ngem itatta maikadua, awanen, nagbalin
a dapo ti lakok. Kuna da a faulty wirings ti gapu na ti puor ngem saan tayo nga amo ta
awan met ti husto a nakakita. Saan tayo nga ammo talaga no ania ti gagara na daytoy a
puor ngem saan a maikkat a baka naplantsa ta adda met diay isyu idi a plano da a
patakderan ditoy ti Uniwide.” (I was not included in the first fire and now my wares
turned into ashes. They say that the fire is due to faulty electrical wirings but we do not
know because no one had seen it. We do not know the motives behind but we cannot set
aside the possibilities that it was planned and there is a plan of building the Uniwide here
before.
She added that the best thing the city government can do now is to help us rebuild
our stalls at the soonest. “Mayat a nu marelocate kami a dagus ngem maymayat manen nu
iistimar da a dagus ditoy ket makasubli kami,” (It is good if we will be relocated
immediately but it is much better if they will repair it immediately and we will be able to
come back.)
Romy Navarro 53. Their family started selling in the public market wayback
1950s. They sell peanut butter and other pasalubong products.
“Daytoy laeng ti source of income mi, itatta ket saan min nga ammo no kasano
kamin. Di tayo ammo no daytoy ket naigagara ngem mabalbalin a kasdiay”, (This is our
only source of income, we do not know how we can cope up. We do not know if this fire
is intentional but that can be).
Paula Lawek 60. She started selling fruits, peanut brittles and pasalubong items
in 1977.
“Adda nang-igagara, ngem no kayat da met a nga ipilit talaga diay panagiserrek
da ti Uniwide ket saan dakami met a nga puoran.” (The fire was started purposedly, but if
they still insist of building the Uniwide they should not burn us.) #
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
39
Ang huling hirit sa 2007
December 31, 2007
Mabilis talaga ang panahon. Parang kailan lang sinasalubong natin ang pagpasok
ng taong 2007, ngayon ay mamamaalam na naman tayo. Pero bago natin tuluyang iwanan
ang taong 2007, samahan ninyo ako sa pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga talaga namang kaokray-
okray na mga isyung hinarap natin. Mga kaganapang gumulantang at nagpasakit sa ating
mga ulo at bigyan natin ng award ang mga salarin.
Kung noong nakaraang 2006 ay tatlo lang ang nabigyan ng award, mas marami
nitong 2007.
Nangunguna sa aking listahan ang hindi matapus-tapos na BGH flyover. Hindi ba
talaga namang nakakabwisit, sabi ng mga may pakana ng proyektong ito, makakatulong
ang flyover para maibsan ang trapik sa BGH rotunda. Pero may trapik nga ba roon?
Matagal na nabinbin ang nasabing proyekto dahil kulang umano sa pondo. Mula sa unang
P88 milyon na hininging budget naging P280 milyon. Sabi ng Deparment of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) nagkamali sila sa pagkwenta ng budget. Ang nakakaloka
pa rito, winaldas muna ng DPWH ang naunang budget tsaka sila nagreklamong kulang
pala ito. Sinisisi pa nila ang mga mamamayang tumututol sa pagpapatayo ng flyover.
Kung hindi sana ipinilit ang proyektong ito, wala sanang sakit sa ulo ngayon, di ba?
Itong pangalawa sa listahan ko ay tunay na nakakainis. Maalala ninyo yung mga paper
bags na may lamang P250,000 hanggang P500,000 na pera na ipinamudmod sa mga
kongresista sa Malacañang? Iyong pamumudmod mismo ng pera ay nakakainis na, lalo
pa kung maalala ninyo ang naging komento ng kongresista ng Baguio. Mantakin mo ba
naman ang natanggap daw ni Rep. Mauricio Domogan ng baguio City ay “regular
allowance” daw niya na P200,000 lamang para sa pamasahe at iba pang gastusin sa
bakasyon. Ano pa man ang itawag sa perang natanggap ng mga kongresista ang malaking
tanong pa rin ay saan galing ang pera at bakit sa Malacañang ipinamudmod. Ano sa
tingin mo Tatang Mateo?
E yung empleyado ng Baguio City Schools Division ng Department of Education
(DepEd) na binugbog at muntik patayin ng kapwa empleyado naalala pa ninyo? Tama,
siya si Ginang Sofia Bermudez , Data Encoder Machine Operator (DEMO) na muntik
hambalusin ng malaki at mabigat na typewriter ni Mr. Wilgetcortez Godoy sa harap ng
kanilang mga superior. Ayon kay Sofia inawat pa nga ng isa sa kanyang mga superior
niya si Mr. Godoy. Sa kasamaaang palad tikom naman ang bibig ng mga superior nila
tungkol sa nasabing insidente. Kawawang Sofia, iniwan sa ere ng kanyang mga bosing.
Nariyan din ang walang humpay na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis na patuloy na
nagpapahirap sa ating lahat higit lalo sa sektor ng transportasyon. Kung ilang ulit nang
nagtaas ng presyo ng langis ngayong taon aba hindi ko na mabilang at lalong mas
masakit sa bulsa bilangin kung magkano na ang itinaas. Kung akala ninyo ang mga tsuper
lang apektado sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, ay malaking pagkakamali ‘yan kaibigan.
Kasabay ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis ay ang pagtaas din ng presyo ng mga
pangunahing bilihin. Masisisi ba natin ang kapatid nating mga tsuper kung hihingi sila ng
dagdag na pamasahe?
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
40
Kung matatandaan din natin noong nakaraang Baguio Flower Fest (BFF) kung
saan nagmistulang parada ng mga politiko ang flower fest parade. Mantakin mo ba
namang sumama ang mga politiko sa parada na may kanya kanyang gimik samantalang
sinabi ng mga organizer ng BFF na hindi nila pasasalihin ang kahit na sinong politiko sa
parada upang maiwasan ang pamumulitika sa taunang pagdiriwang na ito. Tatang Mateo,
what you think, mahina ba magbantay ang mga BFF organizers o tuso lang talaga at
matinik ang mga politiko?
Hindi ko rin mapapalampas ang pakana ng Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) na kung anu-anong mga pagsasanay kunyari para lang
makakolekta ng mas maraming pera sa ating mga kababayang nais makipagsapalaran sa
ibang bansa. Magsasakripisyo na nga ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa na
madalas pa ay minamaltrato ng mga dayuhang amo huhuthutan pa ng mga ahensya ng
gobyerno. Ang saklap naman talaga ng buhay ng Pinoy.
Lalong hindi ko rin makakalimutan ang kalokohan ng pamahalaang panlungsod
ng Baguio. Maglaan ba naman ng P20 milyon para lang mangutang ng sasakyan ng mga
konsehal, bise-mayor at alkalde samantalang ang daming maaring pagkagastusan sa
siyudad. Nariyang kulang ang health center, walang maayos na parubig, kulang ang
sasakyan ng mga pulis, may mga sirang kalsada at marami pang iba. Kung hindi ka ba
naman manggalaiti, ewan ko na lang.
Pasok din sa aking listahan ang pagpapasara ng pamunuan ng University of Northern
Philippines (UNP) sa Tandem, ang pahayagang magaaral nito. Malinaw na pagkitil ito sa
kalayaan sa pamamahayag ng mga magaaral. Hindi pa nakontento ang pamunuan ng
UNP at pati mga staff ng naturang pahayagan ay tinatakot at pinagbabawalang pumasok
sa paaralan. Talaga naman, kahit saan ka mapunta umaabuso ang mga nasa
kapangyarihan.
Saluduhan naman natin ang ating mga kapulisan. Kamakailan lamang ay
inilunsad ng ating kapulisan ang kanilang programang pagbabalik sa mabuting imahe ng
Mamang Pulis. Aba’y mabuti naman at inamin din ng pamunuan ng ating kapulisan na
kinakailangan nang magbago ang imahe ng pulis. Sa dami ba naman ng mga pulis na
nasasangkot sa iba’t ibang mga iligal at hindi kanaisnais na mga aktibidad, ewan ko na
lang kung paano nila maipapatupad ang batas.
Huli man sa aking listahan, talaga namang nakakaloka. Katulad ng daan daang
biktima ng pamamaslang pampulitika sa bansa, ang pamilya Doton ay patuloy pa ring
umaasa na isang araw mahuhuli at mananagot ang mga walang-awang pumaslang kay
Ama Jose Doton. Larawan ito ng sistema ng hustisya sa ating bansa.
Hay, nakakaimbyerna magbigay ng award sa mga pasaway. Pero mga kapatid, palagay
ko hindi ako mauubusan ng ookrayin. Kaya samahan ninyo pa rin ako sa taong 2008.
Patuloy tayong mangutya sa mga dapat lang kutyain baka sakali matauhan naman sila at
tumino.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use of Multiple Languages in a Newspaper:
The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS). / RAZIL ANN M. BACLILI. 2009
Document Outline
- Perceptions and Attitudes of Readers on the Use ofMultiple Languages in a Newspaper: The Case of Northern Dispatch (NORDIS).
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- ABSTRACT
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- REVIEW OF LITERATURE
- METHODOLOGY
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- LITERATURE CITED
- APPENDICES