LANGUAGE AS A MEANS TO

ACHIEVE AND EXPRESS FREEDOM

A Final Paper in SOCIOLINGUISTICS

Submitted by: Choi Mun Kwan

First Semester SY 2003-2004

            In democratic countries, like South Korea and the Philippines, freedom in all aspects of man's life, is all that matters, And this is true to all people around the globe, either educated or non-educated, rich or poor. Even children demand freedom and independence. Freedom in expression, in speech and in any business matters revolving man's life is important so man can say that he really lives in a democratic and free country.

            Freedom can be expressed in many ways like relationship in basic family and communal life, in trade and business, national and international friendly relations, political power, and so on...

            But without language, freedom cannot be achieved. It is because language is the key to understanding one generation to another, to be united and unified in common goals and interests. Language plays a vital role to explain what freedom is all about, its significance to an individual and country, and how to achieve it. With one common language to use, we cannot understand each other. Hence, there is misunderstanding, trouble, disunity, and no development. Language is the means to understand and be understood.

            Freedom is sweetest to those who have been imprisoned. The agony of a prisoners' life makes him to desire freedom primarily in his life.

             But freedom does not only mean living freely outwardly. Freedom is meant to live also inwardly. Many people live outside jails, but deep down in their thoughts and hearts, they are tightly imprisoned by past experiences, misfortunes and bitter feelings.

            In my country, Korea, some student activists joined in rallies and demonstration to express what they want and what they don't. To get what they want is freedom, and they expressed it through language by writing in placards, speaking out bitterly which sometimes lead to violent reactions, imprisonment to those who are caught, and put under as a fugitive and outlawed.

            Every man is responsible to use his language and freedom. To use freedom should be also controlled. We are free to do anything that won't hurt us and others. We are free to speak, yet we must choose the right words. We are free to enjoy life, yet we must be careful to use anything that harm us.

            Among children, teachers and parents taught them to express independence so they could create something by their own which is their expression of learning. Freedom of learning with the close guidance of the teachers is essential for a child to learn his basic lessons in life, either in school, at home or in church. Freedom to learn independence is also important to prepare the child to live with a purpose and be productive in the future. We first teach the child to speak words, then to speak with independence and later to express himself comfortably.

            Our national identity is also brought because of the use of language and the acquisition of freedom from tyranny of other country. A free country is like living in our own home where there is enough room to go about and freely do anything. Aspiration to global political powers may cause both slavery and freedom. A strong nation may overpower the weak ones, thus, slavery takes place. Yet due to expression of language, peace treaties are made, thus, freedom from power to another is obtain.

            Freedom in trade and business, local, national or international is all true to all countries. Thus, coming in and going out of foreign businessmen in the country is excessive which, at first, brought prosperity to our land, and later more Filipinos are homeless. It brought job opportunities to our small people and brought millions to land owners and foreigners as they sell Philippine land to foreigners who in return create factories and job opportunities.

            Language, as a means to achieve and express freedom, is important. A country attains much competitiveness and identity because of it. A nation using or has one language spoken by people has greater opportunity to freedom of unity and development than a country using different dialects. Korea and Japan are using only one language, thus economically it improved far greater than the Asian countries. But each country has difficulty to learn to speak the international language, English, which I think is also of great importance. The Philippines is quite lucky. It has different dialects, but Filipinos are good linguists. They can easily learn their own language and the language of other countries, especially English, thus freedom to express to international relationship either in trade and business or politics are achieved. Even the Bible speaks of freedom. But we should use it not to do sin or lead others to sin. When one sins, he is no longer free at all thus he suffers inward imprisonment which need spiritual healing and deliverance. We should use freedom wisely, not only for our benefit but also for the glory of God.