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Sinandigan

English translation: Pillar/Foundation


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Tagalog term or phrase:Sinandigan
English translation:Pillar/Foundation
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19:55 Feb 7, 2004Login or register (free) for more options.
Tagalog to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore
Tagalog term or phrase: Sinandigan
Sinandigan is the name of a barangay in which I lived while in the Philippines. Locals said that the name means "backrest" but I am not sure of the linguistic background of the name or of its exact translation. According to local history the village was founded on a monetary love-gift from Japanese, however, this does not sound likely since the village was also a massacre ground during World War II. I do know that "digahan" means to declare one's love for some one. I don't know if this is a root.
vclaire
Pillar/Foundation
Explanation:
"Sinandigan" may be construed as "to lie on" or "to rest on", but by my understanding this real-world connotation is founded on a deeper, more figurative meaning.

"Sinandigan" is actually a verb based on the root word "Sandigan". In Tagalog, you refer to something as "Sandigan" when it serves as the basis on which a concept is anchored, or where faith is entrusted.

For example, when one says "Sandigan ng Katotohanan" (where "ng" = "of" and "Katotohanan" = "Truth"), he/she is referring to something wherein "Truth" resides, or more aptly, where "Truth" relies on (or where "Truth" is founded).

If there was an English word that would most closely approximate the meaning of "Sandigan" in Tagalog, it would be "Pillar" or "Foundation".

As such, "Sandigan ng Katotohanan" would mean "Pillar of Truth". When you say "Sandigan ng Kinabukasan", this would mean "Pillar/Foundation of the Future", and perhaps you may be referring to something to which you entrust the future, e.g. completion of higher education, good health, bank savings, etc.


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Thus, the verb form "Sinandigan" would refer to the act of using something as a Foundation, to revere or hold in high esteem, something as the basis for anything significant, historical, meaningful, etc.
****


This is also the reason why "Sinandigan" (noun form this time) is used to refer to something you use to lie on, lean against, and this because you have FAITH that it will be able to support your bodily weight (and perhaps your own life).

Hope this helps!
Selected response from:

Jake Estrada
Philippines
Local time: 03:10
Grading comment
Jake, thanks for the thoroughness with which you answered my question.You really have helped me. Your answer was the most helpful yet I would also like to give recognition to Joseph Rosacena who proposed that Sinandigan may have a more metaphorical background in the context. He suggested "stronghold." Thanks to all who helped but kudoz to Jake!! p.s. It is a barangay in Oriental Mindoro.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5Stronghold
Joseph Rosacea
5"was leaned on"Cesar Baluyut
5Pillar/Foundation
Jake Estrada
5back of a seat...
Dia Alibo


  

Answers

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
back of a seat...


Explanation:
Sandigan can mean the following:
1. back of the seat, synonymous to "sandalan" or "hiligan".
2. person upon whom one "leans" or relies for help
3. the basis for something, synonymous with "batayan" or "saligan".

it comes from the root word "sandig", which means reclining or "leaning"

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Note added at 2004-02-08 02:24:09 (GMT)
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sinandigan, thus\" will mean anything on which something or someone leans. it could be the back of a seat or a wall.

Dia Alibo
Philippines
Local time: 03:10
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15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Pillar/Foundation


Explanation:
"Sinandigan" may be construed as "to lie on" or "to rest on", but by my understanding this real-world connotation is founded on a deeper, more figurative meaning.

"Sinandigan" is actually a verb based on the root word "Sandigan". In Tagalog, you refer to something as "Sandigan" when it serves as the basis on which a concept is anchored, or where faith is entrusted.

For example, when one says "Sandigan ng Katotohanan" (where "ng" = "of" and "Katotohanan" = "Truth"), he/she is referring to something wherein "Truth" resides, or more aptly, where "Truth" relies on (or where "Truth" is founded).

If there was an English word that would most closely approximate the meaning of "Sandigan" in Tagalog, it would be "Pillar" or "Foundation".

As such, "Sandigan ng Katotohanan" would mean "Pillar of Truth". When you say "Sandigan ng Kinabukasan", this would mean "Pillar/Foundation of the Future", and perhaps you may be referring to something to which you entrust the future, e.g. completion of higher education, good health, bank savings, etc.


****
Thus, the verb form "Sinandigan" would refer to the act of using something as a Foundation, to revere or hold in high esteem, something as the basis for anything significant, historical, meaningful, etc.
****


This is also the reason why "Sinandigan" (noun form this time) is used to refer to something you use to lie on, lean against, and this because you have FAITH that it will be able to support your bodily weight (and perhaps your own life).

Hope this helps!

Jake Estrada
Philippines
Local time: 03:10
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in TagalogTagalog
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Jake, thanks for the thoroughness with which you answered my question.You really have helped me. Your answer was the most helpful yet I would also like to give recognition to Joseph Rosacena who proposed that Sinandigan may have a more metaphorical background in the context. He suggested "stronghold." Thanks to all who helped but kudoz to Jake!! p.s. It is a barangay in Oriental Mindoro.
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1 day21 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
"was leaned on"


Explanation:
You did not mention from where you were exactly. But in the south, particularly Iloilo, "sinandigan" means "was leaned on" coming from the root word "sandig" which means "lean".




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Note added at 2004-02-09 18:14:09 (GMT)
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I believe \"sandig\" is fairly a common term and however it may be used in different regions, it basically means \"to lean\".

Cesar Baluyut
Philippines
Local time: 03:10
Native speaker of: Native in TagalogTagalog, Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 day21 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Stronghold


Explanation:
I suggest a metaphor on the translation of the term as you said that it was a village where people were massacred.
Stronghold as compared to "backrest" connotes security and the sense of "survival".

Isn't it a village in Bohol?

Stronghold n. Place of security and survival (Mirriam-Webster dictionary)

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Note added at 2004-02-09 17:58:21 (GMT)
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Digahan comes from the root word diga meaning to talk, expressing your love to another person. Diga comes from the Spanish word \"decir\" which has the meaning of tell, say. It\'s the imperative formal form of decir. So therefore, it has nothing to do with sinandigan.

Joseph Rosacea
Spain
Local time: 21:10
Native speaker of: Native in TagalogTagalog, Native in EnglishEnglish
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