CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study In any ...

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In any account of interlingual communication, translation is used as a

generic term. Professionally, however, the term translation is confined to the

written, and the term interpretation to the spoken (Newmark, 1991: 35). If

confined to a written language, translation is a cover term with three

distinguishable meanings: 1) translating, the process (to translate; the activity

rather than the tangible object), 2) a translation: the product of the process of

translating (e.g. the translated text), and 3) translation: the abstract concept which

encompasses both the process of translating and the product of that process (Bell,

1991: 13). The term translation used and discussed throughout this research is

confined to the written language, and refers to both the product and process of

translating.

In translating idioms, many translators find various difficulties which are

not easy to overcome. The main problem is the lack of equivalence on the idiom

level. It would be better if the translators could find an idiom in the target

language which is the same in form and meaning from SL to TL. However, even

though each language has idioms, it is still hard to find the exact equivalents when

the idioms in one language are translated into idioms in other language. Idioms

are considered one of the hardest and most interesting parts of English vocabulary.

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On one hand, they are considered one of the most peculiar parts of the language. It

is difficult to deal with English idioms because of their unpredictable meaning and

grammar. Moreover, idioms may be culturally bound and this may even cause

greater problems for the translator.

The first thing that should consider in translating English Idioms is the types

of idioms. After identifying the correct types of idioms, the translators are able to

determine the appropriate Translation Strategies. Based on Hocket (1958:310-

318), there are 3 types of idioms: English Phrasal Compound, Figure of Speech

and Slang. For example, the idiom beef in Where is the beef, Coach? does not

always mean that the speaker asks about the meat coming from cow. Beef in other

context is an idiom which means something big or it can also be interpreted as a

complaint.

Different types of idioms need specific translation strategies. Therefore, in

order to transfer an idiom from the source language into the target language, the

translator should choose the most appropriate strategy. The translator must learn a

lot about the function of idioms in the source and target languages and the

characteristics of idioms in both languages. Moreover, in order to deal with the

problems that arise in the process of translation, the translator may use various

strategies. The examination and classification of translation strategies is very

useful and helpful to the translator’s work. According to Baker (1992:72-78),

there are 4 Translation Strategies to translate idioms; the strategies are Using an

Idiom of Similar Meaning and Form, Using an Idiom of Similar Meaning but

Dissimilar Form, Translation By Paraphrase and Translation by Omission.

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One of the most central concepts in translation theory is the concept of

equivalence stated by Larson (1998: 202). A considerable amount of literature has

been devoted to it, and, consequently, some confusions and vagueness appear in

defining the concept. A number of contradictory statements have been made about

translation equivalence and its applicability, and translation theorists have

attempted to define equivalence from various points of views. Different categories

of equivalence have also been suggested within the field of translation theory. The

complexity and exclusiveness of the concept has resulted in the fact that a

universally valid, comprehensive definition of equivalence does not exist.

The conceptual meaning is the base form for the other types of meaning. To

gather the essential meaning of idioms, the first thing that we should consider is

the conceptual meaning itself as the core or main meaning before moving to the

other meaning. The principle that a translation should have an equivalence

relation with the source language text is problematic. The main reason why an

exact equivalence or effect is difficult to achieve because it is impossible for a text

to have constant interpretations even for the same person on two occasions

(Hervey, Higgins and Haywood (1995: 14). For the sake of the equivalence of the

conceptual meaning, Componential Analysis proposed by Bell (1991:124-146)

applies. Componential analysis can be used to explain the components of English

Idioms in different languages. The Idioms in SL and TL will be compared

between SL and TL to find out whether they are equivalent or not equivalent. By

applying knowledge based theory by Soenjono (2003:179-187), the componential

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analysis can be elaborated to explain the result of the translation based on TL

characteristic.

1.2 Problems of the Study

This study analyzes the whole part of the movie but it also limits the scope

within only the translation of idioms in audiovisual translation based on the

theories applied. There are 3 problems arising from the translation process of

English idioms into Indonesian; the problems are as follows.

1. What types of English Idioms are found in The Lady movie script?

2. What strategies are used to translate English idioms in The Lady movie

script into Indonesian?

3. What is the equivalence of the conceptual meaning of English Idioms

found in The Lady movie script?

1.3 Aims of the Study

This research has several aims as follows.

1. To classify the types of English Idioms found in the data

2. To describe the strategies used in translating process, mainly in translating

idioms from English into Indonesian

3. To analyze the equivalence of the conceptual meaning of English Idioms

found in the data

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1.4 Significances of the Study

The study expected to give theoretical and practical significances. The

significances of this study are:

1.4.1 Theoretical Significance

The study is presumed as one of references and expected to give contribution to

the translation studies, as part of applied linguistic study, especially referring to

the English idioms occurring in the translation. In addition, it is expected that this

study will be useful and inspire those who are eager to learn or conduct similar

research related to the translation of idioms.

1.4.2 Practical Significance

The findings of this study are expected to give guidance and informative

feedback to the translators and students of the English Department to comprehend

the meaning of idioms. Besides, the information could be used as a reference

during translation process to make the target readers easily and clearly understand

the translation.

1.5 Scope of Discussion

The focus of this research is to find out the types of English idioms based on

the data in The Lady movie script by finding the word combinations in English

idioms from SL to TL. Afterwards, the research was conducted to find out the

translation strategies applied in translating the types of idioms using the Baker’s

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criteria. Furthermore, the analysis is continued with the Componential Analysis

and combined with theoretical knowledge to get deeper understanding of idioms

and its meaning based on the equivalence as proposed by Bell and Soenjono.

Specifically, this study is focusing on the unit of translation in the level of

word and phrase. The analysis is done by:

1. Observing, identifying, and categorizing the English idioms as found in

the text and their translation equivalents in Indonesian;

2. Analyzing the translation of English idioms using Translation Strategies

theory and elaborating it using componential analysis to support the translation

techniques;

3. Identifying the translation strategies implemented in translating those

English idioms;

4. Explaining the strategies of translation indicated by the translation

technique implemented by the translator.

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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW, CONCEPT, THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

AND RESEARCH MODEL

2.1 Literature Review

Related to the theories applied in analyzing the problems of this research, a

thesis by Susila (2011) entitled The Translation Equivalents of English Idioms in

Indonesian with reference to John Grisham’s the Testament has been reviewed. It

discusses about the meaning and functions of English idioms in Indonesian

language and how lack of understanding of the idioms results in confusion among

the readers. She elaborates it with the source information and she looks for any

loss and gain of information in the translated idioms. She also presents the way to

find out the figures of the occurrence of the translation equivalents of idioms into

Indonesian. The differences with my research are that her research problem

focuses on loss and gain of idioms in the translation process and its influence

towards the reader’s misunderstanding; furthermore, the theories of translation

applied are adopted from Larson (1998) in the book entitled Meaning-Based

Translation. From her analysis, the idioms are classified based on their function

and meaning. In terms of translation equivalence, the result of the translation from

the original text reaches the related equivalence in the translated text. The benefit

of the study is that it improves the knowledge of English idiom classifications.

In addition to translation theories, a thesis written by Tristianti (2012)

entitled English Idioms in Translation of Sidney Sheldon’s Novel a Stranger in the

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Mirror into Indonesian also has been reviewed. It discusses about the English

idioms used in the novel and their translation equivalents in Indonesian.

Moreover, it analyzes the equivalence of those idioms in Indonesian. In analyzing

the data, she uses the theory of translation proposed by Larson (1998). The

findings result in two types of semantic adjustment. First adjustment is by non-

figurative expression, i.e. the translator translates the idioms of source language

into non-idioms in the receptor language. The second adjustment is by figurative

expression, i.e. the translator makes substitution of the idioms. In this case, the

idiom substitution could be done as long as the same meaning, message or

function is retained. However, she points out on the receptor language or target

language without talking about any cultural background that affects the creation of

the translation. The benefit of this thesis for the present study is that it increases

the knowledge of how to make a good presentation of translation data in order to

make a good thesis.

A research entitled English Idioms and its Translation into Indonesian

with Reference to Sidney Sheldon’s the Sky Is Falling becomes the third thesis

reviewed for this research. This thesis belongs to Wirajaya (2011). It discusses

about the equivalence and the meaning of English idioms in Indonesian and its

occurrence in Indonesian translation. The theory that he uses in this study is based

on Larson’s (1943) Meaning-Based Translation. The findings show that the

English idioms have many functions and meanings. The translator wants to clarify

the message without making an awkward idiomatic translation. However, the

analysis of his thesis is superficial and lacks of explanation and description.

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Although his analysis almost touches the cultural background of the target

language, the explanation is still in the surface. The theory applied is completely

suitable to analyze the problem. The problem of the research is the lack of

imagination and explanation from the researcher. The benefit of the thesis to this

present study is that it increases the knowledge of the relationship between the

theory and the problems, and identifies how the theories suit the problems and are

properly used to answer any problem that appears.

Moreover, Utami’s (2005) research entitled Semantic Features of English

Idiom Equivalence in the Short Story Tukang Gambar translated into Painter

becomes the fourth thesis that is reviewed. In her thesis, she uses the theories from

Bell (1992) on componential analysis, Nababan (2003) on how to elaborate the

equivalence strategies applied in the translation, and the last one from Nida (1975)

about loss and gain of information. From the thesis, it was found that loss and gain

of information occurs almost in every transfer of SL idiom or special terms into

the TL. Utami’s thesis is relevant to this present study because in her thesis, she

analyzes the terms in detail using the componential analysis theory from Bell, and

also explains the English idioms specifically. However, there is no specific

information from the knowledge based theory in terms of the target readers’ point

of view and the knowledge of the foreigner who sees the content of the analysis

from the inside.

Another research on translation of English idioms entitled Idiom with

English to Indonesian Translations Found in the Book Entitled Three Blooming

Flowers by Pratama (2005) has also been reviewed for this research. It discusses

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about the English Idiomatic terms and their translation equivalents into

Indonesian. He compares those two languages using componential analysis. There

is information from the informant, but it is not clear whether the information

comes from the source or target reader’s point of view. The explanation about the

terms and their translation equivalents are not related the componential analysis

either as what Soenjono says that componential analysis gives a detail concept

about the terms, but if the meaning essence of the term needs to be obtained

through human knowledge, the feature of those terms can be used as a base to

develop human knowledge of word meaning.

In accordance with the meaning equivalence, Wijayanti’s (2010) thesis

entitled Semantic Equivalence of English Idioms in the Short Story Storm Cloud

over the Island of Paradise and their translation in Mega Hitam Pulau

Khayangan is also referred to in this study. In her thesis, she uses the theory from

Bell (1991) about Componential Analysis, from Larson (1988) about concept,

from Vinay and Darbelnet (in Venuti, 2000) about translation procedures, and the

last one from Nida (1975) about loss or skewing in meaning. In her thesis, she

explains that the translation from SL into TL is attempted to find the closest

equivalent of meaning in the target language, but the meaning and concepts are

not the same. In her research, she has explained about the English idioms in a

descriptive way, but there is less information in terms of knowledge based theory.

Related to the translation strategies of English idioms, a study entitled

Strategies for translating into Indonesian English Idioms in the Novel Master of

the Game by Sudrama (2003) is also applied as a reference in this research. He

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applies the translation strategy in general for translating the English idioms. He

practically uses the Translation Strategies theories by Baker (1992). He agrees

that idiom is an extraordinary expression that includes not only words but action

and thought. On this stage, he focuses on the strategies applied or, in other words,

the process of the translation. In his study, he concludes that the majority of

idioms are translated by Paraphrase (51%), Similar Meaning and Form (22, 30%),

Similar Meaning Different Form (19, 6%) and Omission (7, 1%). This quantity

implies that translating idioms from the source language into the target language

which automatically occurs in different cultures and languages is possible to be

done.

Karimi (2008) in a journal article entitled Equivalence in Translation

states that in a satisfactory translation, the translator needs to be acquainted with

the cultural systems of both SL & TL to find standard equivalents, give an

explanation, or otherwise convey the author's intended meaning to the TL

audience. The main purpose of this research is to explain the concept of

equivalence in translation. To this end, first language and translation are defined.

Later, examples are provided to develop the discussion. Each example indicates

an area of standards in English and Persian. In fact, the process of finding

equivalents in the two languages is that the translator should first decode the

source language SL, that is, to figure out the meaning, message and intention of

the original speaker or writer and then ask himself or herself how the same

decoded meaning is encoded in the TL. To produce the accurate and good

translation, the translator should know the balance of the meaning equivalence

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form both SL and TL. It is affected by the cultural background of the TL which

sometimes takes the big responsibility for the good translation product. The target

readers are the most important aspect that determines how good the translation

result is and how easy to gather the meaning from the SL is without confusion and

misunderstanding. This writing is really concerned with the cultural background

and its knowledge background can improve any translation result. The knowledge

background would give a right path in the making translation products limit any

meaning equivalence distinction of SL and TL and also to minimize

misunderstanding among readers.

2.2 Concept

This chapter is aimed to provide the theoretical background of the research.

The chapter clarifies the concept of idioms with their translation equivalents and

their conceptual meanings.

2.21 Translation

Generally, translation is one way to build a good communication, because

translation has a procedure of transferring message from the Source Language into

the Target Language. According to Pinchuck in his Scientific and Technical

Translation, translation is the transfer of meanings (1997: 35). Moreover, he says

translation is a process of finding a Target Language equivalent for a Source

Language utterance (1997: 38). In connection with the quotation above,

translation is regarded one of human creations in transferring the same message

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from one language into another. Further, Nida and Taber state “translating

consists of reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of

the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of

style” (1974: 12). The statement implies that firstly, the primary goal of

translation is to obtain the equivalent of the Source Language message. Secondly,

natural equivalent requires that the translation does not sound as a translation. So,

it should obey the grammatical and lexical forms of the Target Language. Thirdly,

the closest equivalent shows that equivalent is not absolute but of the highest

degree of accuracy. Fourth, meaning and style are important in order to produce a

faithful translation; however, meaning is over style if they are in conflict.

2.2.2 Idioms

Lewis (in Burger & Gallina, 2008) defines idiom as a relatively fixed

expression where the meaning of the whole is not transparent from the meanings

of its constituent words. Cedar (2008:122) states that an idiom is a multiple word

unit whose overall meaning does not come merely from its individual parts.

The relation between an idiom and its constituent words is also described in

Cooper’s (1999:233) definition of idiom, as a conventionalized expression whose

meaning cannot be determined from the meaning of its parts. Baker (1992:63)

provides the same additions by stating that idiom is a pattern of language which

often carries meaning that cannot be deducted from their individual components.

Based on aforementioned definitions, it can be summed up that all of the

definitions share common features that idiom is an expression made up from two

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or more words whose meaning cannot be inferred from each individual word

meaning. As stated by Wyatt (2006: 3-6), the difference between idiom and

phrasal verb is in the way of their meaning. An idiom is an expression with

several words. The meaning of idioms is impossible to be identified only by

looking at the meanings of each word in the idiom. On the other hand, a phrasal

verb is two (maybe three) words that act as a single verb. Phrasal verbs are usually

made up of a verb plus a preposition or adverb.

2.2.3 Types of Idioms

Hocket (1958:310-318) classified idioms into 3 types. They are English

Phrasal Compound, Figure of speech, and Slang.

2.2.3.1 English Phrasal Compound

English phrasal compound can be created from two or more structural words.

A compound may also be written in three different ways. A compound can be

structured by two words linked by a hyphen, such as pass-lay. It can also be

written in a closed form in which two words are united as one, like the word

girlfriend. There is also a compound created by a word followed by another word

after a space, such as old school.

For example, a white house and The White House are two different things; a

white house means any house which is white, while The White House is

specifically referred to the official residence of the president of USA. There is

also other class of phrasal compound which reduction of stress is on the prior

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member: South Ohio and South Dakota. Phrasal compound has no particular

meaning but the form is idiomatic because in ordinary course of speaking, people

freely produce new phrasal compound.

English compound words consist of three basic forms influenced by the way

of separating the words attached as follows.

a. The closed form, in which the words are melded together, such as

firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike, redhead, keyboard, makeup,

notebook;

b. The hyphenated form, such as daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, six-

pack, six-year-old, mass-produced;

c. The open form, such as post office, real estate, middle class, full moon,

half sister, attorney general.

2.2.3.2 Figure of Speech

Figure of speech is an indirect statement that says one thing to refer to another.

Figures of speech have deeper meaning which is different from the surface

meaning, in another way, it cannot be determined by the combination of words

that makes it up. Figure of speech often provides emphasis, freshness of

expression, or clarity. However, clarity may also suffer from their use, as any

figure of speech introduces an ambiguity between literal and figurative

interpretation. A figure of speech is sometimes called a rhetorical or a locution.

When we say where is the beef, Coach? It does not always mean that we ask

about a meat coming from cow. Beef in another context is an idiom which means

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something big or can also be interpreted as a complaint. The meaning of beef here

is modified by a particular figure of speech. The traditional classification of figure

of speech is:

a. Simile

Simile comes from the Latin word similes, which means like, as noted from

Arthur Finley Scott (1983:268). A simile makes an imaginative comparison for

the purposes of explanation, allusion, or ornament, introduced by a word such as

like, as, or such. It can be simple, briefly expressed or long and sustained, known

then as the epic simile. Meanwhile, Wren and Martin (1981:480) state that simile

is a comparison made between two objects of different kinds which have at least

one point in common. This definition is in line with Martha Pardede’s (2008:22)

definition of simile as generally the comparison of two things which are

essentially not similar on the basis of a resemblance in one aspect. It is a figure in

which a similarity between two objects is directly expressed. Most similes are

introduced by as or like or even by such words as compare, liken or resemble, for

example, My love is like a red rose.

b. Metaphor

Wren and Martin (1981:483) define a metaphor as an implied simile. It

does not, like the simile, state one thing is like another or acts as another, but takes

that for granted and proceeds as if the two things were one. In general, a metaphor

is not plainly limited in the number of resemblances that it may indicate. For

example, the sentence He is a pig is using a metaphor that might involve

comparisons of appearance and morality as well. Kennedy (1991:587) gives

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another definition; metaphor is a statement that one thing is something else,

which, in a literal sense, it is not. There is a new transferred meaning. Metaphor

can help a poet to achieve conversation, to arrange some words into little space

and also shape a reader’s attitudes.

c. Personification

The point of the personification is to express the abstract ideas to

inanimate objects, or an aspect of nature which is described as if it were human.

Richard Gill (1985:20) defines personification as giving non-human things human

qualities. It means that all things (nature and animals) really do something like

human. As Gill’s opinion, Kennedy (1991:593) gives definition of the

personification as a figure of speech in which a thing, an animal, or an abstract

term (truth, nature) is made by human. This definition is supported by Martha

Pardede (2008:24) who defines personification as the arbitrary of human qualities

to inanimate object (for example, the sea as an abstract concept for freedom). It is

a figure that endows animals, ideals, abstraction, and inanimate object with human

form, the representation of imaginary creatures or things as having human

personalities, intelligence, and emotions. It is the representation of a thing or

abstraction in the form of a person.

d. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a bold, deliberate overstatement which is not intended to be

taken literarily; it is used as a means of emphasizing the truth of a statement.

Wren and Martin (1981:491) state hyperbole is a statement made emphatic by

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overstatement. It also indicates that some words which are used in a poem are an

overstatement from the true meaning. Knickerbocker (1963:367) defines

hyperbole as an exaggeration used for special effect. For example, in the sentence

I’ll die if I don’t pass this course, the word die here is over expression. If we

understand the word into the true meaning, it will be impossible. Hyperbole is

commonly used in daily conversation and also in all kinds of literature such as

prose or drama. We can conclude that hyperbole is used to make the object

become greater than the real object.

2.2.3.3 Slang

Slang is the use of informal words and expressions to describe an object or

condition. Slang depends for its effect on the striking and far-fetched nature of its

semantic overtones and its secondary associations. It is not certain whether slang

is universal or even widespread, but, wherever it is found, its idiomatic nature is

clear. The examples of slang are here your horn means blow, here is your drum

which means beat it.

2.2.3 Idioms and Their Translation Equivalences

One of the central concepts in translation theory is the concept of

equivalence. A considerable amount of literature has been devoted to it, and,

consequently, some confusion and vagueness exist in defining the concept. A

number of contradictory statements have been made about translation equivalence

and its applicability, and translation theorists have attempted to define equivalence

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from various points of view. Different kinds of categories of equivalence have

also been suggested within the field of translation theory. The complexity and

elusiveness of the concept have resulted in the fact that a universally valid,

comprehensive definition of equivalence does not exist. Therefore, any supporting

idea should be considered a new knowledge of meaning equivalence itself.

The definition of equivalence has experienced great changes in the history of

translation theory. According to Bassnett and Lefevere (1998: 2), in the early days

of translation theory, it was believed that there could actually be something like a

universally applicable equivalence. However, today the common view is that

translators themselves have the power to decide on the specific degree of

equivalence that they choose to strive for in each translation assignment.

Equivalence is no longer understood as the mechanical matching of words,

whereas nowadays translators are free to opt for the kind of faithfulness that will

ensure, in their opinion, that a given text is received by the target audience in

optimal conditions.

The meaning of the word equivalence can be described as equal in value,

measure, force, effect, significance. Based on the word's etymology, however, its

first half can also be taken to mean like. Throughout the history of translation,

equivalence has revealed itself both as a phenomenon that can be located on

different levels and as a concept eventually so riddled with contradictions.

Any idiom will be well accepted in particular TL if there is a meaning

equivalence between SL and TL. Deep knowledge of the translator is required in

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both SL and TL so as to understand the connotative meanings of idioms and fixed

expressions of the SL, and then to recreate their exact counterparts in the TL.

2.2.4 Idioms and Their Conceptual Meaning

Meaning is stylistically neutral and objective as opposed to other kinds of

associative meanings. Conceptual meanings are the essential or core meaning,

while other six types are the peripheral.

(Leech, 1974:66-69) state that:

Conceptual meaning is also called logical or

cognitive meaning. It is the basic propositional

meaning which corresponds to the primary

dictionary definition.

It is peripheral in a sense that it is non-essential. They are stylistically marked

and subjective kind of meanings. Leech gives primacy to conceptual meaning

because it has sophisticated organization based on the principle of contractiveness

and hierarchical structure.

Conceptual meaning is the essential meaning of the word indicating the idea

or concept to which it refers (Leech, 1974:70). The concept is a minimal unit of

meaning. As we define a phoneme on the basis of binary contrast, similarly we

can define Woman as = + human + female + adult. If any of these attributes

change, the concept ceases to be the same. Conceptual meaning deals with the

core meaning of expression; it is the denotative or literal meaning. It is essential

for the functioning of language. For example, a part of the conceptual meaning of

needle may be thin, sharp or instrument.

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The organization of conceptual meaning is based on two structural principles-

contractiveness and the principle of structure. The conceptual meanings can be

studied typically in terms of contrastive features.

For example, the word woman can be shown as:

Woman = + Human, -Male, + Adult.

On the contrary, the word

Boy can be realized as:-

Boy = + human, + male, - Adult

By the principle of structure, larger units of language are built up out smaller

units or smaller units are built up out larger ones. The aim of conceptual meaning

is to provide an appropriate semantic representation to a sentence or statement. A

sentence is made of abstract symbols. Conceptual meaning helps us distinguish

one meaning from the meaning of other sentences. Thus, conceptual meaning is

an essential part of language. A language essentially depends on conceptual

meaning for communication. The conceptual meaning is the base meaning for all

other types of meaning.

2.2.5 Componential Analysis

The componential analysis approach in describing meaning by Bell is a theory

based on the presumption that the meaning of a word is composed of semantic

components. Thus, the essential features that form the meaning are elementary

units on semantic level. With componential analysis, it is possible to identify the

smallest indivisible units of lexis or minimal components.This theory relies on the

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surface of semantic features of a word, marked by [+] if the feature appears, [-] if

the feature is absent or [±] if the feature could appear or be absent. Defining the

features of a word is an endless attempt. Therefore, in this study, the abbreviation

etc is put in every end of the list of a word’s semantic feature. The feature list will

be ended when it is necessary.

Componential analysis is useful in analyzing some cases in translation. It can

explain any difference between one word and one common main component but

different secondary components in SL and TL. The example of componential

analysis can be seen from the word decoy (Kloves, 2012) which is translated into

umpan (Apriyono, 2012) in Indonesian.

Example:

SL TL

You are my decoy to catch that man Kamu adalah umpanku untuk

menangkap orang itu

From the example seem, decoy is translated into umpan. Whereas, based on

the componential analysis, it is not equivalent. Further explanation would be

shown in the semantic feature table below.

Features decoy umpan

Device [ + ] [ + ]

living thing [ + ] [ + ]

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to disturb any attention [ + ] [ - ]

addition tool [ - ] [ + ]

Table 2.1 Componential Analysis Example

From the table, word decoy and umpan have some differences in terms of

semantic features. To gather the appropriate meaning and avoid any

misunderstanding, those words should be equivalent. Decoy has meaning of

a means used to mislead or lead into danger. On the other hand, umpan has

meaning of food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used for taking

fish, birds, or other animals. In order to make it equivalent, the translator should

translate decoy into pengecoh instead of umpan.

2.3 Theoretical Framework

This sub chapter discusses about some theories applied to analyze three

problems in chapter 1.

2.3.1 Translation Strategies of English Idioms

Baker (1992:72-78) furthermore proposes four valuable strategies in

translating idiom that depend on the context in which an idiom is translated. The

first translation strategy by Baker is the translation using an idiom which is very

similar in its form and meaning to the source language idiom. It must convey

roughly the same meaning and be of equivalent lexical items. For instance, the

idiom end zonen is translated into the same meaning and equal lexical items zona

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akhir in TL. In addition, as in the example above an idiom should be similar not

only in its form but also in meaning, because, sometimes, an idiom that is of the

same form may convey totally different meaning.

Another strategy suggested by Baker is translation of idiom by using an idiom

with similar meaning but dissimilar form in TL. In this case, the lexical items of

an idiom are not preserved; it is translated as a semantic equivalent. For example,

the clock continues to run which is translated into waktu terus berjalan. The clock

here is not an instrument for measuring time but an idiom refers to the time itself

and to run means that the change of period in time without stopping. The

meanings of those two words are similar to those of the words waktu and berjalan.

Both the source and target words are closely related to each other even though

they are in different forms. Even though, English idiom has different lexical

structure, according to its definition, it conveys roughly the same meaning as

English idiom.

Paraphrase is one of the most common strategies in the translation of idioms.

As sometimes it is impossible to find the right equivalent of any idiom in the

target language, therefore, a translator can use translation by paraphrase. Using

this kind of strategy a translator transfers the meaning of an idiom using a single

word or a group of words which roughly corresponds to the meaning of idiom but

is not an idiom itself. For example, idiomatic expression of to be behind someone

can be idiomatic. It can be interpreted as to be at the back of somebody or to

support someone. However, the use of this strategy involves certain disadvantages

of loosing quality and stylistic flavor. Newmark (1988:109) says that while using

25

this strategy not only components of sense will be missing or added, but the

emotive or pragmatic impact will be reduced or lost. Still, paraphrase is usually

descriptive and explanatory; sometimes it preserves the style of the original idiom

as well.

The last strategy is translation by omission. As with single words, an idiom

may sometimes be omitted altogether in the target text. This may be because it has

no close match in the target language, its meaning cannot be easily paraphrased,

or for stylistic reason. The example of this type of translation is how's she doin',

by the way? which is translated into bagaimana kabarnya? The idiom by the way

in this example is omitted altogether. This strategy implies that sometimes an

idiom may be omitted, leaving no traces in the target language. According to

Baker (1992:77) omission is allowed only in some cases: first, when there is no

close equivalent in the target language; secondly, when it is difficult to

paraphrase; finally, an idiom may be omitted for stylistic reasons. This strategy is

not used very frequently. In fact, it is not approved by many scholars and some of

them do not include it among other translation strategies (Veisbergs, 1989: 56-57).

However, in the worst case the translator may omit some idioms if it is not

possible to translate them using strategy by compensation, where he can put an

idiom in another place of the clause, thus preserving the stylistic effect of idiom

usage in the source text.

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2.3.2 Knowledge- Based Theory

To serve another translation point of view in order to reach the goal of the

English idioms, the Knowledge-Based Theory by Soenjono (2003:179-187) would

be applied. It is used to limit any feature gathered from Componential Analysis

Theory. The Componential Analysis Theory is really suitable for determining any

word feature to find the smallest unit of words to find the essential meaning of the

words itself. Nonetheless, sometimes this theory does not have any clear limit of

smallest features. We are able to find a lot of semantic components without

knowing when we should stop because there is no limitation. That is why

semantic features should be understood only as a surface characteristic for the

other theory called Knowledge- Based Theory.

Word meaning is a part of our knowledge regarding to a word. In defining it,

Knowledge -Based Theory is employed and it is based on the psychological

essentialism and psychological contextualization. Psychological essentialism and

psychological contextualization are wider features in the theory. By referring to

the theory, the readers can understand the relation between concept and how that

concept is organized. From this statement, this theory leads us to the

understanding that the explanation of a word is based on the reader or target

language experiences. There are a lot of different experiences from different

readers. The relation with the componential analysis is that this theory shares the

similarity in finding the essential meaning of the word.

Further, for gathering the conceptual meaning of a word, we should

understand about the relationship between the concept and how that concept is

27

organized with the Feature Comparison Model. The concept is defined into two

categories: they are defining features and characteristic features. First, both

concepts would be compared to find any sameness between both concepts. Then,

any differential aspect from the concepts will be found. Fewer differences in

features indicate the closer equivalence of the meaning.

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TRANSLATION OF IDIOMS FROM ENGLISH TO INDONESIAN IN THE LADY

SL TL

METHOD

Method of collecting

data:

- Library Research

Method of analyzing

data:

- Identify method

(Sudaryanto in

Muhammad, 2011: 234)

- Technique dividing key

factor (Sudaryanto in

Muhammad, 2011: 239)

THEORY

Type of Idiom

Hockett

(1958:310-318)

Componential

Analysis

Bell (1991:124-

126)

Idiom

Translation

Strategies

Baker (1992:72-

78)

Knowledge Based

Theory

Soenjono

(2003:179-187)

ANALYSIS

RESULT

2.4 Research Model

Figure 2.1 Research Model

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

This study is a qualitative research. First, the researcher studied the types of

English idioms appearing in The Lady movie script written by Steve Kloves.

Afterwards, the researcher studied the Indonesian versions of the movie script

translated by Koko Apriyono to analyze the translation strategies used to convey

the English idioms into Indonesian. The steps are as follows.

3.1 Research Design

Considering the research questions which were aimed to identify and

describe the types of idioms found in the movie script, its translation strategies

and the conceptual meaning of the English Idioms, the research applied

descriptive method. Khan (1990:96) argues that the goal of descriptive method is

concerned with determining the status of phenomenon which becomes the subject

of the research. Meanwhile, Mason and Bramble (1978) highlight that descriptive

research represents a broad range of activities that have are intended to describe

situations.

Descriptive method is considered appropriate because the process of

analyzing is not designed to question any background feature of the idiom. The

analysis treats idiom only according to information that is provided by the main

theories of the research. Any further description outboard the theoretical

30

information of idioms mentioned in the analysis is only intended to support the

identification of idioms.

3.2 Data Source

The data were taken from The Lady Movie script and its translation into

Indonesian. The Lady is a French-English co-production movie directed by Luc

Besson. The film has been awarded in Toronto Film Festival as the Best Historical

Film in 2012. The script as the main point of the data is written by Steve Kloves

and translated by Koko Apriyono.

The reason of choosing The Lady Movie script as the data source of this

research is the language from the Source Language and its translation in Target

Language are easily understandable. Besides, the translation of the script is

closely equivalent to the original text, so it is easy to compare them. Last, the data

consist of many English idioms and they become the main data in this study.

3.3 Research Instrument

A research instrument is a tool designed to measure the variable,

characteristic, or information of interest. In this study, the English idioms found in

the movie script were collected and compared to their translation equivalents in

order to find the types of English idioms and the translation strategies applied. In

order to achieve the goal, observation technique was applied. Some supporting

instruments such as a pencil for note taking the data, table of classification of

idiom types and translation strategies, and a computer were also used.

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3.4 Method and Technique of Collecting Data

Dialogue in sort of the movie script is the way for the actors or the actresses

to communicate with the audiences. In case of a foreign movie, different

languages spoken by the actors or the actresses may not be easily understood by

foreign audiences. Therefore, this translation was created to serve the need of

language understanding from the foreign movie or drama.

The data of this study were collected by identifying and classifying the data.

The data sources were taken from the script of The Lady Movie as the research

object. There were three steps through which the primary research was conducted

as follows:

a. reading the script of The Lady Movie carefully and understanding the

content of the novel in terms of English idioms;

b. finding the English idioms and their translation equivalents. The data

found were marked by pencil and written on a paper (note taking

technique);

c. classifying the English idioms into each type of idiom and translation

strategies followed by analyzing the selected data.

3.5 Method and Technique of Analyzing Data

The researcher read the script of The Lady Movie English version to

understand the whole story and English idioms appearing in the movie.

Afterwards, the researcher read the Indonesian version translated by Koko

Apriyono to study the strategies used to convey the English idiom meanings into

32

Indonesian version. The researcher referred to many concepts and theories

involving translation of idioms. The concepts and theories employed include

general translation theories, meaning of idiom, idiom categories of Hockett

(1958:310-318), idiom translation strategies by Baker (1992:72-78) and the

componential analysis in translating the subtitle by Bell (1991:124-146) and

Soenjono (2003:179-187). The researcher also reviewed a number of studies about

translation, English idiom characteristics, and methods for conveying English

idiom meanings into Indonesian language.

In the analysis process, the research is divided into 2 parts; English idioms

categorization and analysis of idiom translation from English into Indonesian. The

details are as follows:

a. Analyzing idioms collected from the two subtitles in order to categorize

them based on the theory applied;

b. Analyzing idiom translation from English into Indonesian, identifying the

translator's strategies, based on the applied theories.

3.6 Method and Technique of Presenting Data Analysis

In presenting the data analysis, the formal method is applied in this study

because the study uses the random sampling and the analysis is in the form of

wording and describing the data analysis. In this case, the presented data analysis

is divided into three analyses:

33

1. Analysis of the English idioms based on the theory of English Idiom

proposed by Hocket (1958:310-318).

2. Analysis of determining the idiom translation strategies proposed by Baker

(1992:72-78).

3. Description of the conceptual meaning of English idiom and its translation

in Indonesian based on Componential Analysis by Bell (1992:124-146)

and Knowledge -Based Theory by Soenjono (2003:179-187).