Is there something wrong with how Filipinos use the word "Until"?

[M n J 7]

I just notice we use 'until' different ways.

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Provide some examples please?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I just notice we use 'until' different ways.

The word until can be used the same as before.

For example: "I was happy until I saw you broke my phone". You can change the word "until" to "before" and the sentence still makes sense: "I was happy before I saw you broke my phone". The main difference being the implication that in the first example that i became unhappy at seeing my broken phone. The second example could be construed as simply using the broken phone as a point in time, not the event that makes me unhappy.. if that makes sense.

How do you use it?

[TeapotGirl 66]

The word until can be used the same as before.

For example: "I was happy until I saw you broke my phone". You can change the word "until" to "before" and the sentence still makes sense: "I was happy before I saw you broke my phone". The main difference being the implication that in the first example that i became unhappy at seeing my broken phone. The second example could be construed as simply using the broken phone as a point in time, not the event that makes me unhappy.. if that makes sense.

How do you use it?

un·til (n-tl)

prep.

1. Up to the time of: We danced until dawn.

2. Before (a specified time): She can't leave until Friday.

3. Scots Unto; to.

conj.

1. Up to the time that: We walked until it got dark.

2. Before: You cannot leave until your work is finished.

3. To the point or extent that: I talked until I was hoarse. See Usage Note at till2.

The free dictionary

Merriam-Webster

Edited November 5, 2011 by teapotgurl1983

[M n J 7]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

Edited November 5, 2011 by M n J

[VanessaTony 3,567]

An example would be "Palawan is beautiful until now" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

Ohhh.. yeah. Then it's wrong. Like the person above "teapot" posted, it means before this point in time so as you said, that sentence means she was before, but isn't anymore. The correct word would be "even", not until. So "Palawan is beautiful even now"... though even that implies there some incident that means she might not be but is beautiful in spite of... so I would just say "Palawan is beautiful".

Edited November 5, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[TeapotGirl 66]

use words to express not impress.

Vanessa&Tony is direct to the point and avoids unnecessary wordiness. and that's how everybody should communicate.

Unless you are rich and can think in English, this may be easier for you. I understand what you are saying because I am on the same position. Translate the thought -Don't trans-litterate

Edited November 5, 2011 by teapotgurl1983

[MI.PI 7]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

I guess a better way of saying this would be:

"Palawan is still beautiful as always"

It's how a sentence is constructed. Sometimes we have the tendency to translate our tagalog sentences in a conversational manner that gives a different meaning on how we want to convey the message.

[trulyinlove 3]

Ohhh.. yeah. Then it's wrong. Like the person above "teapot" posted, it means before this point in time so as you said, that sentence means she was before, but isn't anymore. The correct word would be "even", not until. So "Palawan is beautiful even now"... though even that implies there some incident that means she might not be but is beautiful in spite of... so I would just say "Palawan is beautiful".

Ohhh.. yeah. Then it's wrong. Like the person above "teapot" posted, it means before this point in time so as you said, that sentence means she was before, but isn't anymore. The correct word would be "even", not until. So "Palawan is beautiful even now"... though even that implies there some incident that means she might not be but is beautiful in spite of... so I would just say "Palawan is beautiful".

Ohhh.. yeah. Then it's wrong. Like the person above "teapot" posted, it means before this point in time so as you said, that sentence means she was before, but isn't anymore. The correct word would be "even", not until. So "Palawan is beautiful even now"... though even that implies there some incident that means she might not be but is beautiful in spite of... so I would just say "Palawan is beautiful".

You are right, u used the word until correctly..

[TinTin and Samby 11]

Not related to the "until" utilization, but the above posts have 2 examples of another "Classic (common)" example of Tagalog to English "translation" speedbumps (a gentle way of saying errors...) - The use of the word "ON".

Number #1:

"I understand what you are saying because I am on the same position." This use of "on" is very common from Filipinos, but is, in fact, a translation error. the correct english would be "I understand what you are saying because I am at the same (level)."

Number #2:

"Sometimes we have the tendency to translate our tagalog sentences in a conversational manner that gives a different meaning on how we want to convey the message." The correct english would be "Sometimes we have the tendency to translate our tagalog sentences in a conversational manner that gives a different meaning to how we want to convey the message."

The "until" post just got me thinking of other examples to share. I continue to be impressed as can be at the amount of english coming from non native english speakers in the Philippines. I know , for me, it is all I can do to get a couple handfuls of Tagalog WORDS memorized - I can't imagine being able to actually construct whole sentences! And then try to do that with NO ERRORS..YIKES!

Warm Regards,

Samby

Edited November 6, 2011 by TinTin and Samby

[ezzie 7]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

Now I get it ( I hope I truly did!)... Maybe we should use- EVEN NOW.

I didn't realize that word would make a lot of difference with the way it is said- until now.

[beejay 125]

Not related to the "until" utilization, but the above posts have 2 examples of another "Classic (common)" example of Tagalog to English "translation" speedbumps (a gentle way of saying errors...) - The use of the word "ON".

Number #1:

"I understand what you are saying because I am on the same position." This use of "on" is very common from Filipinos, but is, in fact, a translation error. the correct english would be "I understand what you are saying because I am at the same (level)."

Number #2:

"Sometimes we have the tendency to translate our tagalog sentences in a conversational manner that gives a different meaning on how we want to convey the message." The correct english would be "Sometimes we have the tendency to translate our tagalog sentences in a conversational manner that gives a different meaning to how we want to convey the message."

The "until" post just got me thinking of other examples to share. I continue to be impressed as can be at the amount of english coming from non native english speakers in the Philippines. I know , for me, it is all I can do to get a couple handfuls of Tagalog WORDS memorized - I can't imagine being able to actually construct whole sentences! And then try to do that with NO ERRORS..YIKES!

Warm Regards,

Samby

Right on, Samby!

I assume it's similar in Tagalog but in Cebuano a lot of English preposition words are covered by the same word 'sa'. ex. to the store, in the box, on the table - all 'sa'. I can imagine how confusing it can get when you have to differentiate for a word that previously did not have that distinction. I know I get confused when I have to try and keep straight all the we's for Cebuano. You have to reexamine and construct a new understanding of that word and some of the differences can seem quite arbitrary with an unfamiliar language. Kudos to anyone who tries to take on another language and especially to those who are able to become fluent

Now I get it ( I hope I truly did!)... Maybe we should use- EVEN NOW.

I didn't realize that word would make a lot of difference with the way it is said- until now.

Perfect!

[rheanick 42]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

The "until now" could be the english version of "hanggang ngayon". Hanggang = until, ngayon = now...

She could be saying "hanggang ngayon palawan is beautiful" or "until now palawan is beautiful"

If you would google until to be translated to tagalog or filipino... until = hanggang

[Tahoma 2,298]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

It makes perfect sense to me. Good example.

[James and Cynthia 70]

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

Funny. My wife says the exact same thing. I have always noticed it and have tried to explain why americans would not say it like that. Now I have given up. I like the way she talks.

-James