Technically, grammar isn’t an I.T. issue. However, I.T. is supposed to allow us to communicate faster and more effectively, which is why I think it’s a good idea to pay attention to language.

Some of the things that amuse me about us Filipinos speaking in English are the instances when we have to find an English substitute for a Filipino word when none is available. For instance, hiya can sometimes be translated as “shame” and can sometimes be translated as “embarrassment”. However, in most situations, neither of the two can actually capture the true meaning of hiya. (If anyone can think of a perfect English equivalent, please let us know.)

So I bring you now the phrase of the day: “until now”. It’s a perfectly innocuous phrase, but we Pinoys misuse it. Read more

I suppose I need to be spanked. Really. I deserve it.

Notice my previous post? Yeah, that’s right. It was written two years ago. That’s what happens when you get what I can only call a not-yet-midlife crisis: in this case, a tech blogger realizes she’s a hack who doesn’t really know what she’s writing about. That blew over after a while, but I procrastinated getting back on the saddle and, well, next thing you know, it’s been two years and business school has taken over my life.

Yes, I’ve decided to go back to the grasping, comfortable arms of the academia. Not as a teacher this time, but a book-toting shtoodent. It’s strange. Several years ago, the mere mention of business school would’ve sent me screaming to the nearest window — not to leap to my death, as I would’ve first made sure I was on the ground floor, but just to leave the room (and the person who suggested the idea) in a satisfyingly dramatic fashion. Now, I must admit the whole experience has been fun. After all, I’ve always liked learning new things. And no, not a single person has uttered that vile word “proactive” the entire time I was here. Read more