1

Rationale
Translation studies have been used to transfer a spoken or written source language text to
a target language text. According to Ordudari (2007) the purpose of translation is to reproduce
various kinds of textsincluding religious, literary, scientific, and philosophical textsin
another language and thus making them available to wider readers. Translation involves several
skills to be able to translate soundly and effectively, these skills are as follows: complete
knowledge of both source and target speech, knowledge of the source and target language,
awareness of the cultural divergence and diverse strategies in the source and target verbal
communication and the awareness of diverse registers, styles of speaking, and social
stratification of both source and target language.
In addition, Culler (1976) as stated in Ordudari (2007) states that languages are not
nomenclatures and the concepts of one language may differ radically from those of another, since
each language articulates or organizes the world differently, and languages do not simply name
categories; they articulate their own. As stated by Culler language is not a mere system of
terminologies since language is a dynamic system which carries various forms, norms, structures
and rules depending on the culture where a particular language emerge, this is an implication that
in translating SL to TT the culture should be a primary consideration.
Translation uses languages from different cultures which have different language
systems. This paper then aims to present a list of expression and a prayer of the Gaddang tribe
from selected hybrid Gaddang speakers from Solano and Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
According to Ordudari (2007) in translating culture specific concepts, one of the troublesome
problems is the disparity among languages. The bigger the gap between the SL and the TL, the
more difficult the transfer of message from the former to the latter will be.

However, in the process of translating the common list of expressions of the Gaddang
dialect, strategies proposed by experienced scholars where considered. According to Krings
(1986:18) defines translation strategy as "translator's potentially conscious plans for solving
concrete translation problems in the framework of a concrete translation task," and Seguinot
(1989) believes that there are at least three global strategies employed by the translators: (i)
translating without interruption for as long as possible; (ii) correcting surface errors immediately;
(iii) leaving the monitoring for qualitative or stylistic errors in the text to the revision stage.
Moreover, Loescher (1991:8) defines translation strategy as "a potentially conscious
procedure for solving a problem faced in translating a text, or any segment of it." As it is stated
in this definition, the notion of consciousness is significant in distinguishing strategies which are
used by the learners or translators. In this regard, Jaaskelainen (1999:71) considers strategy as, "a
series of competencies, a set of steps or processes that favor the acquisition, storage, and/or
utilization of information." He maintains that strategies are "heuristic and flexible in nature, and
their adoption implies a decision influenced by amendments in the translator's objectives."
Cohen (1998:4) asserts that "the element of consciousness is what distinguishes strategies
from these processes that are not strategic."
Venuti (1998:240) indicates that translation strategies "involve the basic tasks of choosing the
foreign text to be translated and developing a method to translate it." He employs the concepts of
domesticating and foreignizing to refer to translation strategies.
The difference between an SL and a TL and the variation in their cultures makes the
process of translating a real challenge. Among the problematic factors involved in translation
such as form, meaning, style. Moreover, the approach in translating culture specific concepts and
expressions were considered. This paper used the functional approach in translating the different

list of expressions. The Skopos theory of Mantari (1984) states that translation must have a
purpose. Precisely, Reiss and Vermeer (1984/1991) follow that a translated text must be of use to
a particular audience or user. The above mentioned theories present the purpose of the translation
of the common expressions of the Gaddang dialect which is to guide potential learners of the
Gaddang dialect or the potential Gaddang speakers learning English as a foreign language.
This paper contains different contexts where which the expressions are commonly used
by the native or hybrid Gaddang speakers. The contexts vary from asking for apology, favor,
requests, making orders or in voicing out complain. Precisely, this paper limits the scope through
the sources of the enlisted expressions and that these expressions were gathered, translated,
retranslated and filtered to be able to produce a sound and non-repetitive expressions. Moreover,
these expressions where categorized in context and through the speakers present in the
conversation (i.e. Teacher to a student vice-versa)
In addition, this paper also contains the study of Yamada (1972) which provides lists of
Gaddang vocabulary. The purpose of this would be to further supplement the usage of this list of
expressions when and if there is a need for replacement of terms.
Objectives:
Generally, this paper aims to contribute to the complex discipline of translating culture
specific concepts by accomplishing the following objectives:

To be able to produce lists of commonly used expressions in the Gaddang dialect to the
English and Filipino language.

To be able to produce list of expressions for different context of everyday socialization.

To be able to appreciate the differences of languages through the careful translation of the
source text to the language text.

Procedures: In conceptualizing this paper the following steps where followed:

Decide on the categories to delimit the expressions such as context, age, gender or
affiliations.

Decide on the sources and groups.

Ask for permission for conducting elicitation of expressions.

Record and document the Gaddang expressions.

Validate the Iloco translations.

Apply chosen approach, theories and considerations in translating the corpus to its
English form.

Validate the translations.

Brief History of the Gaddang Tribe (Fox, R., 1965)

The Gaddang once comprised a large group in the Cagayan Valley region and are mostly
found in Central Isabela, Nueva Vizaya, Quirino, and Cagayan. Most of them can also speak
Ilocano, the lingua franca of Northern Luzon; the Gaddang language is closely related to Agta,
Atta, Ibanag, Isneg, Itawis, Malaweg, and Yogad. Moreover, they're known by other names such
as the Gadan, Gaddanes, Iraya, and Irraya, meaning upriver. They can be found in the eastern
parts of Ifugao, the mountain province in Southeast Kalinga, and in the foothills of Cordillera
Central. During the Spanish occupation, the lowland Gaddangs intermingled with other valley
occupants, such as the Ibanags and Ilocanos, while others still, fled to the Cordillera and Sierra
Madre Mountains to escape Spanish persecution.

The population of this indigenous tribe is declining as they intermarry with and become
absorbed by the larger groups. Their name derives from a combination of ga heat and dang

burned, hence, they have have a darker complexion compared to other peoples of the
Cordilleras. Chrisitans stereotyped them as 'untamed' and dangerous; in reality, they're of a
calmer disposition compared to neighboring tribes.

The highlanders have maintained their unique culture, including their traditional
costumes lavishly adorned with beads and precious stones. For instance, their ceremonial dress
and ornamentation are some of the most elaborate and decorative; clothing of Western cut and
commercial fabric are obtained from the lowland market. They have a penchant for decorating
their clothes with beads, shells, buttons, and coins sometimes covering significant portions of
the clothing with ornamentations. Everyday attire, on the other hand, is simple, as evidenced by
the men who don G-strings either in the homes or fields but don a pair of pants over their loin
cloths when going to town. For ceremonies, men slip into loincloths (dinega), a small beaded
jacket (koton), and cape (tapit).

Their residences are elevated and supported with tall posts of wood or bamboo that include a
removable ladder that can be drawn up day and/or night to avoid intruders or enemies.

ENGLISH
TAGALOG
How will you apologize when:
Did I keep you Pinaghintay
waiting long?
kita?

GADDANG
ba Pinaiindag taka

Student to Teacher
You were late at school
Maam,
forgive Maam,
Madam,
me.
I
did paumanhin po. pacoman nak se
something
at May ginawa po ana inanquac so
home.
kasi
ako
sa balay.
bahay namin.
Maam, Im sorry Maam,
Madam,
if I came late.
pasensiya na po pacomannak se
kung nahuli ako matarasaduak to
sa klase.
klase.
Maam, sorry for Maam, sorry po Madam,
being
late at na late ako pasensiya ka se
because my Mom kasi po initusan nalatetak a ne
asked me to go to ako ng mama ko dundunnac
y
the hospital.
na pumunta ng innang
cu
su
hospital eh.
ospital..
It wont happen Hindi na poh ito Mekon
na
again
mauulit
anguwan
You failed to pass a requirement on time
Maam, Im sorry. Maam,
Madam, ammek
I
didnt paumanhin po. ma-intindiyan ino
understand
the Hindi
ko assignment nu.
assignment
you naintindihan
have given.
yung
binigay
niyong takdang
aralin.
Maam, Im sorry Pasensiya na po Madam,
for not passing maam
kung pacomannak se
my
assignment hindi ko naipasa mek naiyadda si
on time.
yung
malan
mo
assignment
ko assignment cu.
sa tamang oras.
Sorry
Maam
I Maam, sorry po Pacomannak

was not able to at di ko naipasa

pass
my yung
assignment
on assignment
ko
time because I sa oras kasi po
was
sick
last nagkasakit ako
night.
kagabi.
You were notified by being noisy.
Im sorry Maam. Paumanhin po,
Forgive
me.
I Maam.
wont be noisy Patawarin
niyo
again.
po ako. Hindi na
po ako magiingay ulit.
Maam, sorry for Sorry po maam
being
noisy
in kung
maingay
class.
ako.
Maam sorry I was
just
asking
something to my
seatmate.

Maam pasensya
na
po.
May
tinatanong lang
naman ako sa
katabi ko eh.

madam
se
ammec inangwa
inu
assignment
cu se natacitac
singgafi.
Pasensya
kan
madam,
e
pacoman nak se
ammek
na
piduan.
Madam,
pacomannak se
makkassagac to
klase.
Pasensiya
can
maam se ana
lamang
a
pinakiffut cu si
Kristel. klase.

Child to Parent
You broke something in your house.
Mom,
I
didnt Nay, hindi ko po Ina, ammek a
mean to break sinasadya.
talaga
a
the glass. It was Aksidente pong ginaguriat
e
an accident. Im nahulog.
nanannag
sorry.
Patawarin
niyo pelamang arilu a
po ako.
pacoman nak.
Dad, sorry if I Pa,
pasensiya Ammang,
broke the glass.
nap
o
kung pasensiya kayun
nabasag ko yung se nabbakkac no
baso.
basu.

I did not mean to Sorry po, di ko Ammang,ammek

break our antique naman
e a dinagguriat a
soup bowl.
sinasadyang
baccan nu antigo
mabasag
ung a supera.
soup bowl.
You spent the money entrusted to you.
Mom, I made use Nay,
No neyadam a
of the money you naipinambayad
quarta a ginastos
gave me to pay ko po ng tution ko ay nepapagak
my tuition fee. fee
ko
ung so tuition feek.
Im sorry.
perang pinatago Pacomanak.
niyo sa akin.
Patawad po.
Sorry
mama Ammang,
kung
nagastos pasensiya kayan
ko yung pang se nagastos nu
tuition ko kasi curuan
pangpinangbayad ko tuition
cu
a
sa
nasira maawag se paga
naming
mi nu nabakka
laboratory
me nu laboratory
materials.
materials.
You made your sibling cry.
Mom, its not my Nay, hindi ko po Ammek liwat yo
fault. My brother kasalanan.
appakwak
so
is so naughty.
Napakakulit po wahyic
se
kasi niya.
balalalang.
Mom, sorry if I Sorry ma kung Innang,
whip my sister.
napalo
ko
si pasensiya kayu
bunso.
se
pinesic
y
wayic.
Mom Im sorry if I Mama
sorry Innang,
let my sister cry nasaktan
ko pasensiya
se
because she tore yung kapatid ko kinaddut cu y

my notebook.
Friend to Friend
You bumped into a
My
friend,
Im
sorry. I thought I
know you.

kasi
naman Irene se pinissay
pininit nya ung na nu notebook
notebook ko eh. cu.

stranger.
Kaibigan,
pasensiya ka na.
Akala ko kakilala
kita.
Im sorry I didnt Pasensiya na po
mean to bump on hindi
ko
you.
sinasadyang
mabangga kita.
You had a misunderstanding with
a friend.
My
friend,
Im Kaibigan,
sorry.
I ipagpatawad
misunderstood
mo. Hindi ko
what
youre naunawaan ang
saying.
sinasabi mo.
Maria, Im sorry Maria, sorry sa
for the mistake I kasalanan ko sa
made.
iyo.
Im sorry if I hurt Sorry
kung
you.
nasaktan kita.

Wahyi, pasensiya
kan se karig ku si
ammun ta ka.
Pasensiya kayun
se mek naisadya
a banggan taka.

Pasensiya
kan
wahyi se ammek
maintindiyan yo
sapitan mi.

Maria, pasensiya
se ana a liwat ku
sicuam.
Marie, pasensiya
ca nu napaluwan
taka.
You didnt attend with your agreement with a
friend.
My
friend,
Im Kaibigan,
Ana yo niangwak
sorry. I attended ipagpatawad
a
matarak
a
to
something mo. May ginawa parurotang
ku.
important that is kasi
akong Antu a ammek
why I wasnt able importante kaya naka umang so
to come.
hindi
ako nattebabban ta.

10

Im sorry if I was
not able to come
to our agreement
to
attend
the
mass together.
Im sorry I was
not able to attend
to our agreement.

nakapunta
sa
ating usapin.
Pasensiya kung
hindi
ako
nakapunta
sa
usapan natin na
sabay
tayong
pumunta
sa
misa.
Sorry di ako
nakapunta
sa
usapan natin.

Pasensiyakan se
mek nakaumang
so lakad ta a
umang so misa.

Pasensiya
nu
ammek naka ang
su
birthday
partym.

How will you greet when:

Student to Teacher
Good morning
Magandang
Dios
to
Umaga
daddaramat
Good afternoon
Magandang
Diyos si Luwab
Hapon
Good Evening
Magandang Gabi Dios si gaf
Goodbye
paalam
Mappacada akon
God bless you
Pagpalain ka ng Callacan naca nu
Diyos
Diyos
Thank you
Salamat po
Diyos si mabbalat
I love you
Mahal kita
Canggaman ta ca
How are you?
Kamusta ka?
Cumusta ca
See you later
Kita
tayo Maccita ta sisina
mamaya
Very Good
Magaling
maporay
Welcome home
Maligayang
Diyos
dattang
Pagdating
diyaw
Condolence
Nakikiramay ako Makipagginaak
You met your teacher early in the morning

11

Good
Maam.

morning, Magandang
Dios
to
umaga
po, daddaramat,
Maam.
madam.
Your teacher has dismissed the class.
Good bye, Maam. Paalam
mo, Innakkun
Maam.
madam, adios.
Child to Parent
You just got home.
Mom, Im home.
Ma, nandito na Innang,
anapo ako.
akun.
Good
afternoon Magandng
Dios
sahao
to you Mom.
tanghali Mama. sikuayu mama.
You have to go out somewhere.
Dad, I will go in Pa, punta po Ammang,
the market.
akong palengke. umanac
so
palengke.
Mom, I will go to Mama, pupunta Mama, innak sub
Joys house.
ako kila Joy.
balai da Joy.
Your parents just got home.
Good
evening Magandang gabi Innang, Ammang,
Dad, Mom.
po Pa, Ma.
Dios
ta
gafi
sicuayu.
Friend to Friend
You met a not-so-close friend.
Uhayi
dios
to
ahao.
Good
afternoon Magandang
Kolak,
dios
friend.
tanghali.
tanganaw sicuam
Good morning.
Magandang
Dios
umaga.
daddaramat.
You met a very close friend.
Uhayi
dios
to
ahao.

12

Friend, how are Kumusta ka na?

you?
You have to end the conversation.
Oh, my friend, I Naku, kailangan
have to go.
ko nang mauna.
Bye friend. I have Uuwi muna ako
to go home, I still sa bahay at may
have works to do. trabaho pa ako,
See
you kita na lang ulit
tomorrow.
tayo bukas.

Kolak, manantaw
kan.

Nabu
wahyi
innakun.
Kolak, innakun se
ana
kepay
a
trabahuk
so
balaymi,
mattebbag
eta
manin
daddaramat.
Okay then, see Oh sige, bukas Onenay,
nanu
you tomorrow.
nalang ulet.
daddaramat
manen.
How will you ask permission/request when:
Student to Teacher
You wanted to take a special quiz.
Maam, may I ask Maam, maaari Maam
excuse
for a special quiz? po
ba
akong me dama a kad
I totally didnt humingi
ng milyaw
si
understand
the isang
special especial
quiz
lesson.
quiz? Hindi ko pa toye,
se
mek
lubos
na naintidan
no
naintindihan
lesson tam.
yung aralin.
Maam may I take Maam,
pwede Madam, damana
a special quiz?
po
ba
akong a mappaak si
mag
special special quiz?
quiz?
You wanted to go
to the comfort
room
Maam, may I go Maam,
pwede Madam, damana

13

to the comfort
room?
You wanted the
further:
Maam, could you
please elaborate
the lesson?

po
ba
akong a umangac su
pumunta sa c.r? kasillat?
teacher to explain the lesson
Maam,
paki- Madam, damana
paliwanag pa po a explicar nu si
yung lesson?
mapia nu lesson
tan?

Child to Parent
You want to go with your friends.
Nay,
Mom, can I go out magpapaalam
with my friends? po sana ako na
We will attend to lalabas mamaya
my
friends kasama ng mga
birthday party.
kaibigan
ko.
Pupunta po kami
sa kaarawan ng
isa sa aming
mga kaibigan
Ma, can I go out Ma, pwede po ba
with my friends?
akong lumabas
kasama
ang
mga
kaibigan
ko?
Mom, can I go out Mama,
pwede
with my friends?
po
ba
akong
lumabas kasama
ang
mga
kaibigan ko?

Ma
daman
a
umangak
so
balay
na
kaklasek
se
birthday
nah
antuna.

Innang,
kanggaman cu a
mebulun so kolac
ku ira?
Innang, damana
a mallawanak se
mappasiyar kami
nu
bulong
co
cuera?

Kindly help your Pakitulungan mo Pakiduffun

brother.
nga ang kapatid miwayim
mo.

nu

14

May you give it to Pakibigay

mo Iyadam mo yaw
your mother?
nga ito sa nanay co innam
mo.
Ill borrow your Bag mo nga, Bag
mo
ay,
bag.
pahiram.
takkawan ku.
Will
you
bring Pakidala mo nga Pakigang mo yaw
this basket at the ang basket na basket so kusina
kitchen?
ito sa kusina.
Kindly open the Pakibuksan mo Pakibukkat
nu
door
ang pintuan
puwerta
You want to have something you need/desire.
Mom,
I
need Nay,
may Ma
dama
na
something for my kailangan po ako gatangan nak si
MAPEH class. Can para sa klase barasik toye se
you buy it for me? naming
sa iyusak
MAPEH
MAPEH.
Maari mi.
niyo po bang
bilhin iyon?
I want to use Ma pwede na po Mama dama na
cellphone, Mom.
ba ako mag cell kad
a
mas
phone?
cellphone akkun.
Ma, may I use the Ma, pwede ko po Innang,
laptop?
bang
gamitin kanggaman cu a
yung laptop?
iusa no laptop
tam.
Ma, could you buy Ma,
pwede Innang,
me a dress?
bilhan mo ako gatanganac-ay si
ng damit?
barasic?
Mom, I need paint Ma, pwede mo Mama dama na a
brush
can
you ba ako bilhan ng igatangannak si
please buy me paint
brush? paint brush.
one?
Kailangan ko e.
Ma can you buy Mom,pwede
Ina,gatangan nak
me things that I mob
a
ako pay si bukkut?

15

need?

bilhan
ng
kaylangan ko?

Friend to Friend
You want to borrow something.
May I borrow your Pwede
bang
extra ball pen? I humiram
ng
lost mine.
bolpen?
Nawawala kasi
yung akin.
May I borrow your Pahiram naman
book?
ng libro mo?
You need some company.
Kindly go with me Samahan
mo
later at home. I naman
ako
left something.
mamaya
sa
bahay.
May
naiwan kasi ako.
Could you come Samahan
mo
with
me
at naman ako sa
school?
eskwelahan.
You need some help.
Please help me Pakitulungan mo
do my project.
naman ako sa
aking proyekto.

Te
patakkaw
bolpen nu ai se
natawitaw
anto
na no bolpen ku
eh.
Kolak
matakkawak
sicuam si librom?
Buluran
nak
umang so balay
ai, dama na ba.
Kolak,
bulunannak ay so
giscuellan?

Duffunan
nak
mungwa
si
project
ku
ai
daman a.
Could you help tulunagn mo nga Kolak,
me
clean
our akong maglinis duffunannak ay
house?
sa bahay?
so mallinis so
balay mi.
How will you complain when:
Student to Teacher
The exam you took was very hard.

16

Maam, the exam

is very hard. Will
you give us some
bonus points?

Maam,
ang Maam,
majat
hirap
nung ingke no, test mi,
exam. Pwede ka daman
a
bang magbigay mingyada
kau
ka ng bonus?
pay ti bonus.
Maam, dont you Maam,
ang Madam, madiat
think our exam is hirap naman po ingke no exam
too difficult?
exam namin.
mi.
Maam, the exam Maam,
ang Madam, madiyat
in Math is so hirap naman ng inque neaddam a
difficult.
exam sa Math.
test si Math.
The teacher gave you a lot of assignments.
Maam, dont you Maam,
ang Maam
addung
think we already dami
na
po ke
pay
have a lot of naming
assignment
me
assignments?
assignments.
bitangan jaw pai
ai.
Maam thats a Ang dami naman Madam,
uddu
lot of homework. pong
ingke
no
assignment.
assignment mi.
Maam, why so Maam,
and Madam,
uddu
many
dami
namnag inque
pay
yo
assignment?
takdang-aralin.
neaddam
a
assignment.
The teacher marked you absent accidentally.
Maam, I was not Hindi naman po Madam, mekke a
absent
this ako
absent absent su klase
morning class.
kaninang umaga sin daddaramat.
Maam.
Maam,
I
was Maam,
andito Madam,
present but then naman
ako tinumallungac
you marked me kanini pero nai- que su klasem
absent.
absent
mo udde
naman ako.
minarcannak
a

17

absent.
Maam,
I
was
present but then
you marked me
absent.

Maam,
andito
naman
ako
kanini pero naiabsent
mo
naman ako.

Madam,
tinumallungac
que su klasem
udde
minarcannak
a
absent.

Child to Parent
You were given small amount of money.
Mom, may I ask Nay, pwede po Mang daggan nu
for more? This bang
pay no balun ko
might
not
be pakidagdagan
se makurang.
enough.
yung baon ko
kasi
magkukulang?
The money you Mama
kulang Innang,
kurang
gave me is not yung
binigay pay
no
me
enough Mom.
mong pera.
addam a kuartac.
Mom, the money Mama,
kulang Innang,
youve given me yung
perang makurang
pay
is not enough for binigay mo para que nu ne adda
our project.
sa
project yu a kuarta para
namin.
su project mi.
You were not allowed to go out of the house.
Its unfair. Why Ano ba yan? Bumbuyan,
wont you allow Bakit ayaw niyo medak
ingke
me to go out?
ako
payagang payagan,
lumabas?
mallawan.
Because you did Ayan tuloy wala Innang, itan diao
not allow me to akong grade di awan a score co
join our outreach, nyo kasi ako su outreach se
I failed to get a pinayagang
medak
a
grade.
suama.
pinabulunan.

18

Your parents doesnt want to buy something you

want
Ammena dama a
magatang ka si
bawu a bag.
Friend to Friend
Your friend doesnt want you to
borrow something he owns.
Can
I
borrow Friend pautang Kolak, metaka a
money?
naman
ako, pattaccawan
si
pwede?
kwarta.
Maituk
kangke
pay,
para
assignment lang
iituk nu keppay.
Why cant you let Ano
ba
yan! Abumbo,
se
me borrow your Ayaw
mo amen inque a
book?
magpahiram ng ipatakkaw
nu
libro.
librum.
Your friend doesnt want to help you.
Friend,
kindly Tulungan
mo Kolak, metaka a
help me.
naman ako
duffunan.
Bumbuyan,
medak
ingke
duffunan maitok
kayung ke.
Why cant you Ano
ba
yan! Abumbo,
se
help me?
Bakit ayaw mo iyituc nu inque
akong tulungan? yu duffunu.
Your friend doesnt want to accompany you.
Friend,
kindly Samahan
mo Kolak, metaka a
accompany me.
naman ako.
mabulunan.
Medak
ingke

19

bulunan so C.R.
awan
ke
maraggal
ungwan
ko
sikwam.
Why cant you Bakit ayaw mo Sa
ay
se
accompany me?
akong samahan? ammenak
canggam
a
bulunan.
Making orders
Clean your room
Maglinis ka ng Malinis e
sa
kwarto mo
kwartom
Do
not
roam Huwag kayong Medeyaw
around
pagala gala
mattawataw
Help your mother Tulungan
mo Duffununnan ina
ang nanay mo
Wash the dishes
Maghugas ka ng Sinnawam nu nu
pinggan
duyug
Turn off the lights Patayin mo ang Addapan nu we
mga ilaw
sirawat
Do not cry
Huwag
kang Mem
lura
umiyak
mattangit
Sit properly
Umupo
ng Mattuttud
maayos
simapya
Comb your hair
Magsuklay ka
Matletay ca
Common Expressions
cant understand hindi
curuhua arollam
maintindihan
works very hard
masipag
icorub
nay
o
magtrabaho
sicue
shaking
in Nailing
masiwasiwang
disapproval
very
fast maliksing
mawiwiwit

20

movements
waiting in vain
in the midst
the night
fragile
broken voice
slow foot
talkative

kumilos
maghintay
sa mindag
si
wala
annannag
of sa gitna ng dilim masinab a grafi
Narupok

panioc
a
maleleran
basag ang boses paranguepeng
mabagal na paa ara mandiccan ca
Madaldal
talattac

The following prayer was written by Mrs. Rosalie Bayle a Gaddang Ilocano citizen of
Nueva Vizcaya. She lives at ponce kulukol at Bayombong. The prayer was written intended to
recite in a seminar. It consists of a usual parts of a prayer but written in different way.

Gaddang
Prayer
Yo nangan i Ama,
Anak anna Espirito
Santo, Amen!

Translated Versions
Iloco

English

Ti nagan ti Ama, ti
anak ken Espiritu
Santo, Amen!

In the name of the

Father, the son and Holy
Spirit, Amen!
Almighty Father, we
praise and glorify your
name.

Afumisi uttun,
mabbalat kami
ammin si kwam.

Apo, Madaydayaw
koma ti nagan mo
iti agnanayon.

Mabbalat kami si
kwam Se ammin
kami eh
dumandan si pa
anggaman nu si
kwami.

Apo, agyamankami We thank you God for

nga adda ditoy nga we are gathered
together for this day.
naurnong tatta a
kanito.
Agyamankami ta

We thank you for the

guidance that youve

21

am-ammom ti
Umang kami a
tunggal maysa
maserbi si kwam,
kadakami ket isu ti
ilyawan
maigapu nga
mi a bendisyonan da daydayawen ken
kami amminan
sumursurot kami iti
pagayatam.
Bendisyonan nu yo
speaker mi toye a
Apo, kas
panagyaman mi
Massapit seno
kenka, ited mi ti
maitundu na si
bagi mi nga umay
mapia sikwami
mangdaydayaw ken
no kanggam na a i
agserbi kenka, ket
tundu anna
sapay koma ta
ipaintindi
bedisyonam ti
tunggal maysa
Bendisyonan nu yo kadakami nga adda
ginafan mi se indan ditoy tatta tapno
nu ira si mapia a
mapagserbian daka
babaggi seno
iti masungad pay
maindan da
nga aldaw.
kami si
pammakapyan mi a Bendisionam dagiti
miskwela.
agsarita tatta nga
Pakoman da kami si aldaw tapno
amminan a
mailawlawag da
nalliwatan mi anna nga nalaing ti kayat
inangwa mi a
da nga ipaawat
maraggal.
kadakami nga

given us that lead us to

follow your holy words.

God, we are grateful to

serve you and we ask
you for more blessings
in order to follow you
commands as well as to
serve you for the rest of
our lives.

Bless our speakers for

today for them to
comprehensively
explain the things that
they need to explain.

Bless our parents for

them to gain enough
strength that could
support us, their
children, for our studies.

22

Yaw a ililyawan, mi
sikwam, Afu mi
Hesus, Amen!

adadalan da.
Bendisionam met
dagiti nagannak mi
ta sapay koma ta
nakaradkad da latta
nga mangisakad ti
panagadal mi nga
annakda.
Bendisionan
nakami met tapno
maawatan mi nga
nalaing dagiti
adalen mi tatta
tapno addan tu
mausar mi intumo
makaturpos kami.
Pakawanen nakami
kadagiti
nagkurkurangan mi
wenno naaramid mi
nga haan nga
mayannatok dita
pagariam.
Dagitoy ti dawat mi
ti napateg nga
nagan ni apo Hesus
nga mannubbot mi

Bless us so that we
could understand the
topic and apply it after
graduation.

Forgive us for our

actions that violate your
commands.
This we ask through our
Lord Jesus our Father.
Amen!

23

nga anak o. Amen!

SOURCES: (Contributors)
Alindayu, Herman
President, Gaddang Organization
Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya
Ambatali , Brooklyn A.
Engineer
Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
Carub, Roland M.
LLB
Solano,Nueva Vizcaya
References:
Ordudari, M. (2007). Translation procedures, strategies and methods.
Translation Journal. (nv) Retrieved March 2014
http://translationjournal.net/journal/41culture.htm

Yamada, Y. (1972) Gaddang Vocabulary. (nd) (np)

Fox, Robert B. et. Al. (1965) A preliminary Clettnochronology from Northern Luzon,
Asian studies 3: 103-113
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003235/gaddang.html

24

Documentation

25

Ref
lect
ion
s

26

Evangeline
Translation plays an important role in society. It serves as a mediator
among cultures. It is a way of helping a culture in sharing their own
uniqueness to the other culture. Translation is a way of eradicating the value
judgments or being ethnocentric of an individual. In varied genres of
literature comprises varied showcase of a practice or belief of a particular
culture that other people could appreciate and understand. .
Translation is also a means of communicating and understanding one
another. In a way of translation a person could easily understand what the
other people was saying all about.
Despite of the varied roles and importance of translation in language
and literature, its not easy to translate for a translator. Its not easy to
maintain the meaning of a text of its source language in rendering it to the
other language.
In my experience, when I interviewed Gaddang people using the text
written in English and Tagalog, Ive notice that it is hard for them to translate
it because in one word there are varied possible equivalence in their
language but there are also terms that havent equivalence. Ive notice also
that between Gaddang and Ilocano, there are words that they have the same
equivalence such as the name manang and manong in Ilocano the same
as through in Gaddang. I found out that in translation, a translator could not
translate a text word by word. It is because there are some words that have
no definite equivalence as well as the structure of the sentences.
The translated words in the source text differs when it was translated
into the other language. Ive learned that the translators creativity as well
as his/her deep understanding of two varied languages could contribute to a
great help to provide an effective outcome. If a translator translate a text,
s/he should not only think of creative ways but to fully understand the
source text before it should be translated. Ive learned also that in a source
text wherein this source text came from a particular group of people, it
contains several words that carries an important role in the culture of the
source text.
In general, as a student and a future language and literature teacher,
Ive learned that translation is a great help for a student in becoming open
minded to the varied culture as well as student could be exposed and learn a
lot not only to the foreign language as well as to the different languages

27

within the Philippines. As a future teacher, translation could be a way of

understanding my students regarding how they act and think.
Translation is not only for students and teachers but also to all people
in different aspects. It is because translation in not only for one nation but
for the whole world. It is important to sustain unity and peace among the
people in every part of the world.
Kristel
As they say, All good things must come to an end and they are right
because my experience as a novice translator had ended. From this
experience, I learned and unlearned so many things.
First, from the subject itself, Translation and Editing of Text. At first, I
thought translation would be a tedious subject that we will just translate
texts, edit texts and thats it. However, I was wrong and now I can conclude
that first impression does not last because this subject did not just teach
me how to translate but also thought me concepts that empowered myself
as a person and as a future educator. It thought me how to be conscious with
my words, and because of that, I learned to be cognizant. I became aware
with what words should I use so as to suit the kind of text and audience I
have, in terms of translating texts. If before, I was like other people who will
just simply speak without even watching their words, now, every time I will
speak I would make sure that each words that will come out in my mouth will
suit the kind of audience that I have considering their culture and
background that they have.
Second, from this translation project, making corpora. This project
gave me realization that each word, each language, each dialects and each
culture have a colossal effect on how texts will be translated. This project
was made to translate common expression in a certain context in the dialect
of Gaddang. Again at first, I thought that this project-research type output
will just add to the burden that I already have, especially in academic area.
However, once again, I was wrong, because this project gave me a once in a
lifetime and a priceless experience. I am not a multilingual person, that is
why there was the urge inside of me to learn other language or dialect, and
good thing that this task was given to us, to me. I learned some common
expressions and some common terms in Gaddang.
Maybe, I only learned some, not even a half of their language, but this
little learning gave much feeling of achievement and success to me that at

28

last I have learned other language/dialect. Well, if there were good times,
there were also bad times. The only problem that I encountered was the
thought of how to eliminate the gap between my partner and me and to our
respondents. Having different background knowledge, experiences, cultures
and ideologies, was indeed a great challenge to us, to me. Nevertheless, in
the end, our differences made use of this project an avenue to let us realize
that differences are not hindrance for us not to be able to bring out the
beauty of disparity among and between languages and dialects.
Lastly and the most important learning above all, I came to know and
live with the saying, Dont say you are happy because everything is alright,
but be happy because while everything is complicated you are still doing
fine. Those languages are just like humans; they have their own lives and in
that lives they also have struggles to face, like the idea of preservation.
Some may vanish and others may remain but the thing there is we humans
should make a move to help in preserving our own languages and help
others with different dialects preserve their.
My experience as a novice translator ended here but from this ending,
there will be another beginning and that is my journey on becoming a better
and expert translator.

29

Ivan
I feel bad that like the old man that was once a strong brawny leader
of the kinfolks, Gaddang, the native dialect of Bagahabag, has gradually
dwindled. To these days, there are only few town people left who are
proficient of using Gaddang. Most of the town people have become
foreigners to their very own dialect. According to him, the most
disheartening reality is that although some people can understand and
speak the dialect, they opt not to.
When we were doing the interview with this man, I learned that he
have founded a organization which aims to regain the town peoples
consciousness of the Gaddang. I admire his courage to initiate and institute
such a drive considering the fact that there would be a lot of challenges he
may face along the way. He recounted his story and he said, I hope you can
help me. After the interview, I came to figure out that people really have
countless issues. Realizing that even dialect is an issue is but astonishing.
However, these are the concerns which are often times overlooked.
Admittedly, I wouldnt be even aware that the Gaddang dialect of
Bagabag is on the verge of becoming extinct if we, the students enrolled in
Translation, were not given the task of translating some of the Gaddang
registers to Filipino and English. I find it alarming. Something should be
done. Someone should do something. I hope that I could be that someone,
somehow as a researcher, and that something could be this project.
I would like to express my gratitude to our instructor in Translation. This
project is not merely for the completion of requirements. For me, its one

30

way of attending to my responsibilities not simply as an English but a

Language pre-service teacher. I hope that my contribution to the entirety of
our project is more than enough to help the old man in achieving his vision
for the Gaddang dialect.

Claudine
Translation, as said and defined by different scholars, is the process as
well as a product of transposing a source language text into a target
language text. As said by many scholars, language exists because of culture
and vice versa. In connection with translation studies, culture must affect
translation and is a primary consideration in translation since translation
uses language and language has a symbiotic relationship with culture.
While reflecting upon this existing relationship among culture,
language and translation, I was able to realize three insights. Translation is a
complex process and discipline, language interconnects culture through
translation and culture nurtures what needs to be translated through
language.
Translation is a complex process and product. This discipline is an
intricate process for the reasons that it involve various factors, it considers
various issues such as whether to translate text according to purpose, if
translation would be word-to-word or sense-to-sense. Moreover, translation is
a complex process and discipline because sound translation of a text,
specifically culture specific texts such as the corpora of this paper should be
carefully translated and validated as well as updated or even corrected since
this will reflect a speck of image of the culture where it came from.

31

Language interconnects culture through translation, is a personal

insight which I noticed in the course of the translation study. I can infer that
in translating the important texts from different cultures, their culture is
being introduced to other cultures which may help in better understanding
each other and also to preserve the different cultures. In assuming this, we
took extra precaution in translating the common expressions as well as the
prayer since this will reflect our respect for the Gaddang culture.
Lastly, culture nurtures what needs to be translated through language,
this would mean that the beliefs, practices, historical accounts and
ideologies which one culture holds is the flesh and blood that translation
treats to be able to pass it to different cultures. Being a student of language
translation studies, I was able to assimilate that translation can be an
instrument of peace or war, love or indifference since in translation of
messages ideas can be easily used to promote these ideas.
Thus, translation is a complex process and discipline, language
interconnects culture through translation and culture nurtures what needs to
be translated through language which promotes a harmonious global village.