The Cultural Aspects of Legal Translation

Hianni Limmarga

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INTRODUCTIONTranslation and culture constitute two things that are inseparable one from the other.

The cultural aspects need to take into account in the process of translation, because translating a document is not only transfer a message, but also transfer the culture of the source text (ST) to the target text (TT).

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According to Peter Newmark, there are two types of translations that we often use, i.e.

Semantic translation, is linguistic and encyclopedic and is generally the work of one translator. In the translation of legal texts, the semantics of legal terms must be translated accurately in order to avoid misinterpretation.

Communicative translation, is strictly functional and usually the work of a team (this is done usually in the translation of brochures, announcements or popular writing).

TYPES OF TRANSLATION

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The issue of untranslatability arises when a search of equivalent translated text can not be done properly either in a substantial or functional manner.

UNTRANSLATABILITY CONCEPT

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The untranslatability concept is generally distinguished into untranslatability which is related to linguistic and cultural aspects.

Linguistic untranslatability;For example: hot dog is linguistically untranslatable, because it involves structure that does not exist in Indonesian.

Cultural untranslatability;For example:

It is common in Indonesia for a child to call older people by mbak/kakak/uni for female or mas/abang/uda for male, e.g. mbak Ajeng or mas Budi. But from the viewpoint of native speakers of English culture, there is no necessity to mention the "sister" or "brother" in front of the name of an older person. The translator will not translate mbak Ajeng or mas Budi with the expression “sister Ajeng” or “brother Budi”.

UNTRANSLATABILITY CONCEPT

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UNTRANSLATABILITY CONCEPT

In accordance with the scope of the issue, Nida (1975:68-77) distinguishes 5 (five) types of untranslatability related to the cultural aspects:

1. Untranslatability related to ecological cultureFor example: komodo (Indonesia)

2. Untranslatability related to social cultureFor example: tedhak sinten (Java)

3. Untranslatability related to material cultureFor example: Steamed ginger fish served with egg-fried rice. The Vietnamese government said it will reduce its rice export by about 25 percent

this year.

4. Untranslatability related to religious cultureFor example: syawalan (= a traditional celebration held in the five-day period after Idul Fitri, a

special day for most people in Central Java)

5. Untranslatability related to linguistic culture There are some words in English that seem plural, but in fact it is singular.

For example: Physics (This means physical sciences)

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TRANSLATING LEGAL TEXT

In translating legal texts, on the one hand, a translator is required to be faithful to the source text (fidelity to the source text), but on the other hand, he also must have expertise in translating the SL that has nothing equivalent (untranslatability) against the TL. The result of TL must remain accurate as it pertains to the applied legal system.

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In the translation of legal text, a translator can do the idiomatic translation to find the equivalent for term available in TL.

However, those efforts can be an obstacle if the two languages involved have a different social and culture backgrounds.

For example: Bar examination Willful and wanton conduct Yellow-dog Contract Ship’s Husband

TRANSLATING LEGAL TEXT

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If arbitrator dies, becomes incapacitated or withdraws during course of review of dispute, an alternate arbitrator will be appointed in manner applicable to appointment of the said arbitrator.

Apabila arbiter meninggal dunia, tidak mampu atau mengundurkan diri selama pemeriksaan sengketa berlangsung, arbiter pengganti akan diangkat dengan cara yang berlaku untuk pengangkatan arbiter yang bersangkutan.

Collective Labor Agreement means an agreement which takes form of results of negotiations between one or more employee/laborer unions registered with instrumentalities responsible over labor relations sector and one or more entrepreneurs of group of entrepreneurs which contains conditions of work, rights and obligations of both parties.

Perjanjian Kerja Bersama berarti perjanjian yang merupakan hasil perundingan antara satu atau lebih serikat pekerja/buruh yang tercatat pada instansi yang bertanggung jawab atas bidang ketenagakerjaan dan beberapa pengusaha atau perkumpulan pengusaha yang terdiri dari syarat-syarat kerja, hak dan kewajiban dari kedua belah pihak.

EXAMPLES OF LEGAL TRANSLATION

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STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES OF TRANSLATION

A translator must be able to use the right approach in transferring a phrase, for example by way of domesticating or foreignizing.

The target text reader must always understand that the equivalent of a given term should be interpreted in accordance with applicable law or culture in the source language.

For example:Source Text:The Tax Return must be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service by the tenth of this

month.

Target Text (translation):Pengembalian Pajak harus diserahkan pada Pelayanan Pendapatan Dalam selambat-

lambatnya tanggal sepuluh bulan ini.

The translation sounds unnatural and is not easily understandable to the reader of the target language, because it was translated literally. It can be confusing the readers because the translator did not translate these terms of the names of certain institutions with a concept that can be understood by the target text reader. Translation can be corrected into the following:

Surat Pemberitahuan Pajak Tahunan (Tax Return) harus diserahkan kepada Kantor Pelayanan Pajak (Internal Revenue Service) selambat-lambatnya tanggal 10 bulan ini.

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CONCLUSIONThe translator of legal texts should have a broad knowledge of functional equivalent for certain terms and concepts contained in these terms to determine the appropriate equivalent.

According to Benny H. Hoed (2006), we should know that in this world there are no two equal languages or two same cultures. Every language and culture has its own language and cultural system that is "sui generis" (constituting a class of its own; unique) and principles.

However, legal language constitutes part of Indonesian language. As part of national language, such legal language must follow the regulations, rules or principles stipulated in Indonesian language. The vague language will result in uncertainty in understanding the context or material of such legal regulations, which in turn will result in legal uncertainty. Thus, legal language holds an important and a strategic role to create legal order in society.

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