Critical Discourse Analysis of Dr. Manuel Viola Gallego's 1932 Monograph "The Language Problem of the Filipinos": A Study of Postcolonial Linguistic Perspectives

This paper examines the life and works of Dr. Manuel Viola Gallego (1893–1976), a Filipino lawyer, scholar, educator, and statesman, by critically analyzing his 1932 monograph “The Language Problem of the Filipinos.” The study aims to elucidate Gallego’s linguistic and educational philosophies embedded in this work and to assess their impact on national discourse and policy. Guided by the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) method, the research utilized primary written sources—including his published books, archival photographs, and newspaper articles—as well as unwritten sources, notably an oral interview with his grandson, Dr. Joseph L. Gallego. The analysis revealed five key thematic findings: (1) the need to elevate scholarly discussions on Gallego’s intellectual legacy; (2) the historical roots of current linguistic challenges in the Philippines; (3) the significance of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) at the elementary level; (4) political institutionalization as essential for language intellectualization; and (5) the urgent need to establish a theoretical foundation for the Gallegan Philosophy course (SSC 111/SSC 112) to advance discourse in both vernacular and national languages. In conclusion, the paper underscores Dr. Gallego’s active role in addressing educational and linguistic issues, particularly through the founding of the Central Luzon Education Center (CLEC), now Manuel V. Gallego Foundation Colleges (MVGFC). It recommends further in-depth studies on his writings and contributions to vernacular language development and the national language policy, areas that remain largely unexplored in Philippine scholarship.