Common Cebuano Translation of English Meteorological Terminologies by Farmers and Fisherfolks

A study on translation was conducted to determine the Cebuano translation of the English meteorological terminologies by farmers and fisherfolks in Isabel, Leyte, Philippines. The source text of the study was obtained from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the authoritative body in the country to monitor, forecast and report climatic and weather conditions. Using descriptive research design, the respondents translated 117 English meteorological terminologies to Cebuano from the 122 identified source texts. Seven terminologies such as haze, orographic lifting, solstice, straight-line-winds, subsidence, tail-end-of-a-cold-front, and updraft were not translated by the farmer-respondents in vernacular terms; while, some of these terminologies, straight-line-winds and tail- end-of-a-cold-front, were given Cebuano translations by the fisherfolk-respondents. Out of the 117 translations, the farmers and fisherfolks had 45 similar Cebuano translations. Results show a contrasting translation on fair weather because the farmer translated it to “dili mayo nga panahon” which means in English as not a good weather, while the fisherfolks translated it to “mayo nga panahon” which means a good weather. However, after the FGD both agreed to use “kasarangan nga panahon” for fair weather. Most of their translations were based from the nature of their jobs and from the daily experiences encountered in their workplace; hence, localizing these meteorological terminologies will enable them to act accordingly to the forecasted weather and climatic conditions. Thus, results of this study could be packaged into a localized information, education and communication (IEC) material which can be used by implementers of disaster risk reduction program in their intervention on disaster awareness and preparedness most especially in Cebuano-speaking communities. Furthermore, this study could serve as a springboard for studies related to language translation and as a guide to an in-depth study of the Cebuano dialect.

Keywords: Cebuano translation, farmers, fisherfolks, meteorological terminologies, PAGASA