DEFINITION

Translation is always performed in a given direction ‘from’ a Source Language (SL)‘into’ Target Language’ (TL). There are some different writers define ‘translation’ in different ways.

1) Translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL) (Catford, 1969:20).

2) Translation is made possibly by an equivalence of thought that lies behind its different verbal expression. (Savory, 1969:13)

3) Translation consists in 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 (Nida, 1969:12).

4) Translation is a process of finding a TL equivalent for an SL utterance (Pinchuck, 1977:38).

5) Translation is the rendering of a source language (SL) text into the target language (TL) so as to ensure that (1) the surface meaning of the two will be approximately similar and (2) the structures of the SL will be preserved as closely as possible but not so closely that the TL structures will be seriously distorted. (Mc Guire, 1980:2)

6) Translation is a craft consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/ or statement in one language by the same message and/or statement in another language (Newmark, 1981: 7).

If you pay attention to the underlined words, you will learn that: The word ‘equivalent’ is used by Catford,

Savory, Nida, and Pinchuck. While Mc Guire uses the word ‘Similar”.

Textual Meaning (Catford) SL text (Mc Guire), written message (Newmark), and SL message (Nida) something to be translated into TL.

Replacement (Catford) and reproducing (Nida) derive from ‘replacement’ and ‘reproduce’ which are synonymous. The word ‘replace’ is used by Newmark.

NotedEquivalent, SL text (message) and replacement are the three important elements in translation. The others are meaning, style, craft, and process.

Elements of Translation

Source Language

Meaning/Message

Target Language

Translation Equivalence

Word for word Child : Anak

Phrase for phrase Security system : Sistim keamanan

Sentence for sentenceKakakku (lk) seorang penasehat : My brother is a counselor

Words sometimes have more than one meaning. Their translation equivalent could be a problem unless they are used in context (phrase, sentence, or paragraph).

E.g Chair…?Chair punishment …?He took as a chair in our meeting…)

A word used in the idiomatic phrases would puzzle you even

more Cat : kucing

To bell the cat: melakukan sesuatu yang berbahaya.

To let the cat out of the bag : membuka rahasia.

A cat and a dog life: kehidupan yang penuh dengan pertengkaran.

Rain cats and dogs: hujan sangat lebat.

The mice will play when the cat is awayBebas sekali kalau tidak ada majikan di rumah

The enemy played cat-and-mouse with the prisonersMusuh mempermainkan tawanannya.

Translation is the transfer of meaning (Pinchuck, 1977:35) words are a vehicle of communication and express meaning.

The rules of grammar govern the manipulation of words and certain principles determine the use of vocabulary items.

The understanding of the these which is often intuitive is necessary in order to carry out a transfer of (replace/reproduce) the content of a message (written material/ SL text) from one language (SL) to another language (TL)

Linguistic Factors

Subject matter of the text Objective of the originator of

the text The author The intended readers Time and place

Text Translation Unity

Idea, wording, coherence, unity (meaning), context.

Meaning and VocabularyLexicon (meaning based), diction, register, cultural content, and contextually-based, expression, idiomatic expression.

StyleScientific Formal, Informal Informal Short story, drama, poetry, literary work ancient words, informal, slang.

Structure Grammar (words, phrases, clauses, text, discourse) Cohesive relation Translator must know Structuring rules