The past should be left in the past because it can destroy your future is what most people would say, but wouldn’t it be better if we regard the past as something that influences the present just as much as the future—This is very much applicable when it comes to language, especially The Pampangan or Kapampangan language.
One of the major languages being used in the Philippines. Even before, Kapampangan have always been present. It was more familiar then as Kulitan Script, Kulitan is an indigenous writing system in the country and the Kapampangan language we enjoy to speak today, originated from Kulitan.
Anak Ning Aláya
Kulitan script is composed of Indûng Súlat which are the Mother characters or the Consonants followed by an inherent vowel white Anak Súlat are the offspring characters or the Vowels that makes it different from the Tagalog Writing that most of us are familiar with, another thing that makes it different is that the Kulitan script is written from Top to Bottom just like the way Chinese and Japanese write. Like other scripts in Southeast Asia, Kulitan Alphabet is an Indian-inspired script.
Ive asked a few Kapampangan friends if they have any idea about what Kulitan alphabet is… But sadly, not one of them were familiar with the writing system. It was said that during the earlier days of the 19th century when the usage of the script slowly demise. In present times, with all the modernization, how do we preserve something like the Kulitan Script? Why is it so easy for us to invest time learning other Languages while we forget about a native dialect, an indigenous invention that was from our ancestors?
Its never too late to try and revive the Kulitan Alphabet because there will always be people who’ll pay interest and there will always be someone,who would patronize what is ours and pass it forward to keep our indigenous writing systems like Kulitan Alphabet forever alive. At times like this, its very delightful to know that those who would like to learn how to read and write using the advanced Sulat Kapampangan will have the opportunity to do so because the Institute for Kapampangan research and Kulitan studies is offering free workshop for Advanced Kulitan Classes those interested may email them at [email protected].
With everyone’s excessive use of gadgets how do Kulitan Script keep-up? Gladly Computer Science majors at City College of Angeles came up with the idea of creating a mobile application that teaches the Kulitan Alphabet or the sulat Kapampangan through this, learning the Kulitan Alphabet will be more convenient for those interested.
Truly, language is the most important part of our being. But to look back and give importance to our local dialects and writing system is also vital, because it helps us cultivate our culture and make us stand out from others as a nation.
