Language Preference of Student Journalists in Mindanao State University-Marawi, Philippines: Reasons and Attitudes

Abstract

Student journalists are trained to express and translate their outputs into paper. The preferred language medium they use to do so, however, may convey their perception and attitude towards languages. This study aimed to determine the preferred language that student journalists use in their articles, the reason for their preference, and their attitude towards English, Filipino, and their vernacular language. Mixed qualitative and quantitative methods were used as research design. Data were collected through distributing survey questionnaires to 58 student journalists in Mindano State Univeristy-Marawi during academic year 2013-2014 and conducting interviews to a random sample of 12 from those surveyed. Results showed that most of the student journalists prefer English while only a few uses Filipino and none prefer vernacular in writing. English is perceived by the student journalists to be understood by more people, dynamic and rich; formal, an indicator of better proficiency but not an indicator if intelligence and high social status. Comfortability, ability to express better, training, usage in school, and self-efficacy are the reported reasons why they prefer such language. Filipino and vernacular were least preferred due to lack of resources for reference and writing, lack of knowledge, and low self-efficacy on the usage of the medium. They said that if they were given the mastery of the languages, they are willing to write in Filipino and vernacular. Thus, there is a need to instill versatility of the usage of Filipino and vernacular among student journalists through adequate training and equal appreciation towards them.