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Philippines: “Jejemon” Translator and the Global Voices Manifesto

Categories: East Asia, Philippines, Humor, Language, Technology

First, what is Jejemon? It refers to a special combination of internet and mobile phone language which is popularly used by young Filipinos today. Education officials are not happy over this Jejemon craze since they believe it stunts the language ability of students.

A few months ago, Global Voices featured the Jejemons [1] and we quoted the Urban Dictionary Website to define [2] Jejemon

- a person WhO tyPeZ lYKeS tH1s pfOuh..
whether you are RICH, MIDDLE CLASS or POOR ifpK eU tYpE L1K3 tHiS pfOuh..eU are CONSIDERED AS JEJEMON.
– (noun or adj.)—a person who is very expert in typing..
– a person that nevr (sic) gets tired of typing consonants in all of his comments…
– people with very LOW IQ
– a person that destroys the morale of language in any typing media like internet, cellphones…etc…
– a person you want to fuck off and kill
– an emo/gangster who owns all the possible negative qualities of a person.

[3]

Jejemon Translator website

Now here comes the Jejemon Translator [3]. Normally, Filipino internet users do not use web translation tools since majority are familiar with the English language. But recently, a growing number of Filipinos have been using the Jejemon Translator and some users insist it is “better than Google Translate.” This is still debatable but Jejemon Translator is definitely funnier.

Why are Filipinos using the Jejemon translator? Well, many are curious to learn the Jejemon equivalent of certain words in Filipino. They also want to be entertained since the Jejemon style of writing [4] and the Jejemon words are humorous.

Let’s try the Jejemon Translator. Usually, Filipino words are used in the Jejemon translation tool but let’s be different today and use the English language. Let us ‘jejemonize’ the Global Voices Manifesto [5]

We believe in free speech: in protecting the right to speak — and the right to listen. We believe in universal access to the tools of speech.

To that end, we seek to enable everyone who wants to speak to have the means to speak — and everyone who wants to hear that speech, the means to listen to it.

Thanks to new tools, speech need no longer be controlled by those who own the means of publishing and distribution, or by governments that would restrict thought and communication. Now, anyone can wield the power of the press. Everyone can tell their stories to the world.

We seek to build bridges across the gulfs that divide people, so as to understand each other more fully. We seek to work together more effectively, and act more powerfully.

We believe in the power of direct connection. The bond between individuals from different worlds is personal, political and powerful. We believe conversation across boundaries is essential to a future that is free, fair, prosperous and sustainable – for all citizens of this planet.

While we continue to work and speak as individuals, we also seek to identify and promote our shared interests and goals. We pledge to respect, assist, teach, learn from, and listen to one other.

We are Global Voices.

we B3L1eV3 In frEe Zp33Ch ♥♥♥♥♥: in pr0wTecTInG tHE ryt 2 zpeaK — @nd the ryt T0w LIsTEN jejEJ3jEsZsSzz. W3 veLI3v3 In uniV3Rsal acc3zz 2 tHE 2oLS owF zP3ecH.

toh that ♥ xD ♥ eNd Lolz, wE S3eK toW En@bLe 3v3rYOn3 wh0w wanTz 2 spEak t0w HaVe thE m3aNz 2 zPeaK — and 3VeRY0N3 wH0W w@Ntz 2 heAR that zPEech jEjEjEJezZZzzZ, THe meAns 2 l!Zten 2 it.

thankS 2 nheW ♥ xD ♥ 20LS p0wz, zPeech N3eD N0H longer v3 ConTroWlled vy THoze Hu 0wwn tHE me@Ns 0f publ!zH!ng aND diSTrivu+I0N powzZzszzz, 0WR b3h GovErNmeNts that W0UlD R3Z+rict Thowt ANd ♥ xD ♥ c0wmmUn1c@T!owN lOlz. ♥ xD ♥ now poWz, any0N3 caN w!ELd The p0WweR of tH3 Pr3zs jEj3JEj3zZzzZZ. eveRYOn3 c@N tELl THe!R sT0wR!3s 2 th3 w0wRLD.

We sE3K 2 build vr!dG3s acRowzz Th3 gUlfz that DiVIde p3oWPLe JeJEjeje, z0Wh @z 2 und3RstanD e@ch 0THer More FUlLY j3jej3je ♥♥♥♥♥. w3 Z3Ek 2 W0rk 2gEth3R MoR3 3ffeC+ivelY P0wzzsSszz, And ACt m0WrE poWWeRFully.

WE vELIeve 1n th3 powwER of D1rect ConnEction~~~. Th3 V0ND Betw3En ind!V!dUAls FrOM dIffeRent W0Rldz !s p3rzoNu@L p0WZ, p0whLIT1CUal anD ♥ xD ♥ powhWERfUl Powz. w3 b3Li3ve c0nveRsua+!on aCrOZZ V0undar1Ez iz EssEnti@L 2 Ah futuR3 Th@T iS fRee ♥♥♥♥♥, ♥ xD ♥ fa!r l0Lz, ProzpeRoUZ @nd SuS+A1Nable – f0R @lL C1tIzeNZ oWF thiz pluanet.

Whil3 we C0Nt!nue 2 wOrk aNd ZpeaK Az !NDIv1duUaLS j3jEJEje, wE alZoH Seek 2 idENt!fY And pRoM0tE ouR zhu@reD 1nt3r3S+z and 60@LZ jeJeJ3jE. w3 pledge 2 ♥ xD ♥ ResPeCT lolZ, @zs!Zt J3Jejej3, ♥ xD ♥ TEAcH pOWZ, Leu@rn fRoM powZSZsSZz, @nd L!Sten 2 oN3 0wTHer.

WE r Gl0WbaL ♥ xD ♥ V0iCEZ pOwZ.

After reading this Jejemon translation of the GV Manifesto, you will now understand the divided reaction of Filipinos to the Jejemon craze. It’s either you find it funny and interesting, or you’re disgusted with it especially the torturous writing style of the Jejemon language. Believe it or not, there are many young Filipinos who are experts in decoding and writing the Jejemon script.

Here are some words from Blog ni Borontok [6] about the Jejemons

I don't like them nor hate them. But I think jejemon was just a fad. We don't have to discriminate or give pessimistic comments about them. They have their own life and sure we have our own. And it's our choice if we want to be with them or just let them exist or hate them. But the bottom line is why are so many Filipino affected with this fad to the point of blogging something awful about our country's education, in our country's people. May be for you they are nonsense but they are who they are. Accept the fact.

“Don’t Judge a Person by its TYPO… *ajejejeje”