A Filipino Translation of The Illustrated Guide to a Ph.D.

I am not really good at Filipino though I was born in the Philippines. It seems difficult to define native tongue nowadays with highly multilingual families.

As an exercise, I have tried to use my rather limited knowledge of Filipino (along with some of the words in my diplomas) to translate a very enjoyable guide: The Illustrated Guide to a Ph.D by Matt Might.

I must admit that this exercise shown me that the Filipino language has to evolve not just by adding words it does not have. (Warning: Politically incorrect statement to follow!) The culture must make room for valuing scientific endeavors and find its way into the vernacular. I must also admit that there are a lot of scientific terms (not jargon, but expressions) that lack a translation (or this may seem to be my ignorance).  There is also a lack of knowledge (for my part, I think) about idiomatic expressions. How can idiomatic expressions be translation invariant? I must admit that some aspects of the intellectualization movement in the Philippines may be right.

If you have suggestions for improvement, please do not hesitate to give comments. Citations will be provided!

Ipagpalagay na ang nilalaman ng bilog na ito ay ang kabuuan ng kaalaman ng tao.

Pagdating ng panahon na matapos ang aralin sa elementarya, may kaunti kang nalalaman:

Pagdating ng panahon na matapos ang aralin sa mataas na paaralan, higit ng ang iyong naaalam:

Ngayong mayroong titulong batsilyer, nakamit mo ang isang pagkadalubhasa:

Maipapalalim ang iyong pagkadalubhasa sa pamamagitan ng isang titulong master:

Sa pagbabasa ng mga saliksik, ikaw ay maidadala sa hangganan ng kaalamang pantao:

Pagtutuunan mo ng pansin pagdating mo sa hangganan:

Ipagpatuloy mo ang pananaliksik sa hangganan ng ilang taon:

Pagdating ng araw, mabibiyak din ang hangganan:

Ang ginawa mong maliit na yupi sa hangganan ang tinatawag na Ph.D.

Ngayon kitang-kita na iba na ang mundo para sa iyo:

Kaya’t huwag kalilimutan ang kabuuan ng kaalamang pantao.

Kaya’t ipagpatuloy ang pananaliksik.

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