Filipino (Tagalog) Translations for Computer Softwares, Manuals, Etc. written in English The first time I saw Tagalog as a language option was on a cellphone and I'm sure I'm not the only one who can'

Rendell

Filipino (Tagalog) Translations for Computer Softwares, Manuals, Etc. written in English The first time I saw Tagalog as a language option was on a cellphone and I'm sure I'm not the only one who can't help but chuckle every time they see awkward word choices. I face-palmed when I tried to use Google Chrome in Tagalog. There are times though that the Tagalog words used are accurate but it still doesn't read (sound) right! Lol! I'm curious to know what you guys and gals think about it? I wonder if this is because I'm not used to reading/hearing makata way of speaking outside stage plays? I remember riding a UV Express Service van one night in which a lady with her child spoke in a way that made my jaw drop and brows furrow a little (not out of irritation but of amusement); "Mamang driver, maaari niyo ho ba kaming ibaba sa may (forgot the name of the place) kapag tayo ay nakarating na sa (forgot again). Iniiwasan po kasi namin ang mahirapan sa pag-uwi..." (I can't remember the rest) The driver told her that it depends on her fellow passengers if they're okay with it. She then faced us and spoke in the same manner "Mga kasamahan kong pasahero..." I really can't remember how she exactly said things but hearing her speak that way even to her little girl made me feel like I've been suddenly shoved into a Filipino children's television program. I even tried to look for hidden cameras. Hehe! Anyway, I'm also curious to know if people reading such translations also feel the same way if they were to read it in their own language? I mean, do Spanish people also find it amusing to read the Spanish translation of their phone's options? About those who are fluent in Tagalog (as a second language), I'm sure it doesn't sound off to them because culture plays a big role in it. *If you have the time and patience, I'd appreciate it if you could correct my grammar and spelling and tell me how I can avoid turning it into a really high wall of text.

Jan 11, 2016 5:00 PM

Corrections · 4

Yes, connote is ok there, it's a pretty formal word that is really only used in discussions like this :) Sometimes we use it like this: 'that has a connotation of sth'

January 13, 2016

By the way, "Para sa halimbawa" We only say "halimbawa" to say "For (an) example". I think that single word not only means "example" but it also connotes the idea of giving an example. :-) Did I use "connote" right? I'm vaguely familiar with that word.

January 13, 2016

"Hindi ka safety dito." Haha! I would've taken a photo of it and include (include'd' ba dapat?) it in those funny Tagalog English compilation on Facebook. "acceptable daw for Filipinos." You used "daw" correctly in that statement. It's not that I'm looking down on my fellow Filipinos, it's just that there's no doubt that most Filipinos, or at least those who are more familiar with English, would stifle a laugh if they that sign. In fact, even Tagalog in some signs are somewhat written awkwardly. I don't remember what it was exactly but I recall all of us in the car talk about it. What I really look forward to when it comes to that kind of stuff are Tagalog-English puns. The first one I've seen is on a photo of a funeral parlor named "Libing Things".

January 13, 2016

I can't comment on the translations to Filipino, but I do see some amusing translations back to English in the Philippines. It is also funny to see English root words misused in a manner that would be incorrect for English speakers but acceptable daw for Filipinos. Para sa halimbawa; Hindi ka safety dito (I would say- hindi ka safe dito). para sa tainga namin, mukhang 'Hindi ka kaligtasan dito' yun.

January 12, 2016

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