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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
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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
29
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.
31
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).