References

Before I start off on this translation, I need to do a post-mortem in regards to the Tagalog translation. One thing that I have started to ponder is about references, whether that be family and friends or books.

On using family and friends for help...
Although they are the best when it comes to running your translations by, they aren't good for translating. It's been my experience that they "know" the language; they just can't explain what is morphologically or syntactically correct!

Allow me to clarify. When you run by them a potential translation, they can tell you whether or not it's syntatically correct. But, don't try running a non-sensical one. They just respond with, "You can't say that," for me that isn't enough. For example, sentences such as Chomsky's "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously," would surely be replied to with "You can't say that!".

Why? What's wrong with it? Why can't you use that verb? Why can't you use that sentence structure? Why? Why? Why?

The only way to answer your question, is to ask more and use some logic... which can take a considerable amount of time. Although, they can tell what you're trying to do, they can't tell you.

On Books...
You have to do all the finding, but when you find an entry, which sentiment is apt? Do I use magbala or magbanta? Only after asking someone, I found out that magbala is more appropiate since magbanta is an in-you-face warning.

You can find all the syntax and morphology that you need, but you just don't know what words will comply.

You still have to find that auntie who always like to help out and try running some potential translations by her, even when she says "You can't say that."

So, I'm coming up with a list of terms and the sentential structures that I had trouble with in the Tagalog version. Then, I'll grab the dictionaries and people I need.