And or But

“Man lives only once but if spent right, once is enough.”

In one university where I’ve been we used to give a quotation and discuss its significance to everyday life. It was during our English class, when one of my classmates stated that adage to which our instructor reacted, “You should not use but, you should use ‘and’ on that quotation.” We, the students asserted that it is just right to use “but” because the statement showed a contrast idea.

We were heralded as the most fluent English speakers in Asia but that was in the past. Nowadays, we need not read the newspaper to tell us that many Filipinos are becoming deficient in the English language. We just have to listen attentively or watch keenly around us to know that we are unlearning it. On the other hand, colleges and universities do its best to breed highly skilled and globally competent graduates, we are proud that we keep abreast with the fast escalating technology.

After graduation, we aspire to have a job that will utilize our knowledge and skills, but how could it be? While we are still nurturing our talents, while we are practicing our skills, we should be vigilant of learning not only the skills the technology will require but also of its language. If we wish to succeed, our skilled hands should go with our eloquent tongue. If the students will accept the challenge that has been globally set and if the teachers will do as well, we may start from learning ‘and or but’ but we will in time take back the honor that once was ours.
by: Terranya M. Tiamson