It really amazes me how words and phrases can be readily translated to another language while still retaining the whole original context and meaning. It has become a random hobby of mine to translate text from English to Filipino (my native language) and vice-versa, while trying to preserve the context, meaning, tone and nuance of the original and I find it amusing how some text can have direct counterparts, or be very difficult to get by.
I'll end this year with an original Tagalog translation of one of my English poems, published in my old lost account. While poems can take on different meanings across various readers, I hope the following Tagalog translation has indeed encapsulated the original (English) meaning and context.
Ang Awit ng Kabiyak ng Kamatayan
(An original Tagalog Translation of "A Song of the Bride of Death")
| A Song of the Bride of Death | Ang Awit ng Kabiyak ng Kamatayan |
|---|---|
| I am the bride of Death Flooded with the light of day Covered with the mist of early-morning May Forever bound to the arms of Death The Guiding light passes swiftly Down beneath my sight Gloriously I await for Thee meekly Without the aid of Light That then I wear my dark flowing veil Diamonds glittered upon my head The Silvery god bowed down with a hail Tears of joy, I shed Then in your arms I slumbered Peacefully as a child could be Cool, calm pleasant dreams will be remembered When I live on the 'morrow, as to be | Ako'y Kabiyak ng Kamatayan |
