Just a simple post today, with regards to Filipino (Tagalog)-English online dictionaries.
Among Filipino online dictionaries I know of, I had the highest esteem for bansa.org, which had a number of Filipino-related dictionaries. So yes, besides Tagalog-English, there was also Cebuano-English, Kapampangan-English and Bikol-English, among others. Here’s a link to bansa.org’s dictionaries: http://bansa.org/dictionaries/
If you’re as sharp as I think you probably are, you may have noticed that I used the past tense for the previous paragraph. Astute observation! Indeed, it is because I just recently discovered that the site has gone down, and the 502-Bad Gateway message ended up on my screen (just as yours may have also done too, if you clicked the link above).
I sigh as I remember how helpful this site was for me, especially in the days I did not have a good Fillipino dictionary at home. (I was happily able to get a discounted UP Filipino Dictionary lately.) I also quite liked how it was driven by user additions.
Lamenting and curious, I did a quick online search, and found some info on the site. Apparently, it was created by a certain Matthew Blake. Based on the little gem of info I got here, he seems to be a polyglot who was not exactly born in the Philippines, but is exposed to languages such as Ilokano, Ibanag and Isinay. Wow, I have Filipino blood running through my veins, and I have yet to even master Tagalog.
While I feel sad about this (and would probably try to check back later on, in case it was just a glitch in the Matrix), I guess I’d be needing a new dictionary in the meantime.
*There’s always Google Translate, of course, but I feel that it has a number of limitations. I think it’s pretty good with colloquial words though.
*I believe tagalog-dictionary.com is also a popular choice.
*I actually stumbled upon another online dictionary called pinoydictionary.com. I found a number of words here I could not find on tagalog-dictionary.com, and I really love how minimalistic it is. (A big thank you to the creators!)
*I am still searching for good ones, so if you find any too, let me know.
At the end of the day, however, I suppose I need to improve my vocabulary anyway. (I was am always jealous of Filipinos who take for granted their knowledge of the language, while I struggle poring over my beloved Filipiniana books. Sigh.)
Thanks for listening.
