Selected T’boli Folktales: A Validation of Translation and Structural Analysis

This study aimed to collect, translate, and analyze selected folktales of the T’boli people. A total of five (5) folktales were gathered. The stories were translated from the T’boli language into Filipino using Newmark’s (1988) translation theory. The level of validity of the translations was determined, and a descriptive qualitative research design employing content analysis was utilized. The study was conducted in the municipality of Lake Sebu, and purposive sampling was applied. The translation process involved consultation with community elders, preparation of initial drafts, repeated reading and comprehension, consultation with the adviser, and the development of revised and corrected versions. The results revealed a very high level of acceptability of the translations, a predominantly linear plot structure, a third-person point of view, recurring themes of love for family, culture, and traditions, a consistent tone, and dominant emotional expressions of the characters. The researcher recommends that teachers and students utilize the themes and lessons found in indigenous folktales. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of indigenous literature, particularly among teachers, is encouraged, as well as the dissemination of translated works and related studies as instructional guides.