Situating Philippine English in University Internationalization Efforts

Abstract

Abstract English is central to internationalization in higher education institutions, yet the role of its nativized varieties, such as the Philippine English (PhE), remains under examined. Employing theoretical perspectives such as variationist linguistics and corpus linguistics, this study examines the features and extent of PhE use in a Philippine university’s internationalization efforts by analysing institutional documents, including 50 invitations, 7 programs, 6 memoranda, and 26 certificates. Findings reveal lexical innovations such as Philippine as an adjective, indigenous borrowings, and hybridized terms. Grammatical patterns include progressive tenses, article omissions, and unique adverb placement, influenced by Filipino syntactic structures. Punctuation inconsistencies suggest evolving conventions in written PhE, though formal documents like memoranda still adhere to exonormative standards. The limited presence of PhE in formal discourse has implications for English language education, emphasizing the need to integrate PhE into curricula, support teacher training, recalibrate assessments, and enhance students' metalinguistic awareness. Institutional language policy reforms should recognize PhE as a valid World Englishes variety for academic and professional use. Despite its constrained role in formal writing, PhE’s presence in internationalization documents highlights its growing academic significance and influence on Filipino scholars' linguistic identity. A context-sensitive approach to language education is essential to maintaining PhE’s functionality and global relevance.

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