Enhancing Filipino Major Students' Translation Skills from Southern Leyte Bisaya to Filipino Through Poetry

Ginalyn Carbonilla

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.299

Authors

Ginalyn Carbonilla Southern Leyte State University https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7776-5546

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.299

Keywords:

Literary Translation, Translation Skills, Filipino Language, Southern Leyte

Abstract

This study investigates the translation capability of Filipino majors in rendering poems from Southern Leyte Bisaya into Filipino, addressing the challenges posed by the Philippines’ linguistic diversity and the complex issues inherent in literary translation. Guided by Newmark’s translation strategies, the research examines the students’ performance before and after a targeted pedagogical intervention. Initial findings from the pretest reveal a predominant reliance on literal translation, often resulting in loss of nuance, cultural imagery, and poetic rhythm. Following the intervention, however, there is a marked increase in the use of idiomatic and transpositional strategies, reflecting a shift toward more culturally sensitive and contextually faithful translations. The study highlights the critical need for instructional materials that do not only teach translation theory but also promote hands-on application and cultural awareness. Such materials are envisioned to foster a deeper appreciation of regional literature, enabling students to engage more meaningfully with texts that embody the cultural and historical identity of Southern Leyte and similar regions. By cultivating these skills, students can contribute to a more inclusive and representative Philippine literary canon. Furthermore, this research underscores translation as an essential tool for cultural exchange and academic discourse, allowing regional voices to resonate within broader national and scholarly contexts. The proposed instructional framework offers an innovative contribution to the pedagogy of literary translation in Philippine higher education, addressing gaps in current methodologies. Ultimately, this study affirms that effective translation bridges not only languages but also the diverse cultural narratives that define the nation’s literary heritage.

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