Interpreter please

After a heated-boredom-related discussion about the upcoming Miss Universe pageant and how Shamcey Supsup doesn't need an interpreter to win the title, someone finally yelped "Magna Cum Laude baya siya sa UP, dili na siguro siya kailangan ug interpreter!" (She's a Magna Cum Laude from UP, she probably won't need an interpreter!) Keyword there is: Probably.

Last year's debacle brought to you by our beloved Venus Raj, resulted to a much talked about discussion about our candidates getting an interpreter like our counterparts from Venezuela and Mexico, among others.

"The problem I think is, like me before, she thinks in Tagalog. So, ‘major major’ is what? Malaking malaki o bonggang bongga? The context is lost or misinterpreted abroad, even among Filipinos," said Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz referring to the controversial response of Miss Universe 4th runner-up Venus Raj during the question-and-answer portion. It was Diaz who raised the need for an interpreter. Diaz’s suggestion was seconded by educator Jose Wendell Capili of the University of the Philippines. Capili noted that Filipino language has many “nuances” and that there are many aspects of the language that are hard to translate.

So, what's so bad about getting an interpreter? Does an interpreter somehow dumb-en our image considering we are one of the English-speaking countries in Asia? Is it because answering in English actually makes us look smarter than the others? According to reports, Miss Universe 2010 Jimena Navarrete of Mexico opted to have an interpreter even though she can speak fluent English.

Most of the contestants prefer to answer the pageant questions in their own language or dialect for the following reasons:

1. For countries where English is not the first language, contestants can convey their thoughts better and more articulately in the language/dialect they are more comfortable with.

2. Like the costumes they wear to represent their native country, speaking in their native tongue is a way of the contestants to share their unique and beautiful language to the world.

3. Finally, if the contestant's answer sucks, the interpreter can actually provide a better one.

Others would argue that since Supsup is from UP and she graduated Magna Cum Laude, she's too smart for an interpreter. Raj graduated Cum Laude and looked what happened. I'm not trying to blow anyone's bubbles here -- I'm just saying that, what's wrong with using our own language? Much more with Supsup, where English probably is her third language considering she is from General Santos where the main dialect is Cebuano. Imagine how awesome it would be if Supsup answers in Cebuano in an international audience!

In a country where most of our girls say "Can I borrow you blush on?" instead of just "Can I borrow your blush", I think its due time that we accept that Diaz is right. Unless we start thinking in English, we really do need an interpreter. It's not something to be ashamed of. On the contrary, sharing the beauty and diversity of our language is something that we should be proud about.

To vote for Shamcey Supsup, click HERE

Beauty Pageant Bloopers

Melanie Marquez Bb. Pilipinas 1979 (Q&A)
"...I'm contended with my long-legged."


Janina San Miguel - Bb. Pilipinas 2008 Q&A
"...my pamili, my pamili...ho my Gad!"


Miss Philippines 2010 Venus Raj Top 5 Question And Answer
"...Major, major"


Source:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/25/10/interpreter-needed-pinoy-beauty-queens

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