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From this definition, some points concerning translation can be highlighted. Those three points are: a replacement of written message, b some
kind of loss meaning, and a continuous tension. In other words, translation is an act to replace written massage in one language into another language in which a
translator might experience tension when doing translation. During this process, there might be a loss of meaning in the form of increasing detail, i.e.
overtranslation andor increasing generalization, i.e. undertranslation. Nida and Taber 1969, as cited by Suryawinata 1989 stated that
translating consists of reproducing message in the receptor language, the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and
secondly in terms of style. The definition proposed by Nida and Taber brings an implication that translation has four important ideas. Those ideas cover
reproducing message, natural equivalence, meaning, and style
b. First and Second Language Translation
Comprehension in a first language might be superior to that in a second language Johnson, 2006. Skill in composition does not necessarily equate with
first language competence; and it cannot always be assumed, even if a translator has balanced bilingual skills, that either of the two translation languages is at a
very high level. Editing of a translation will often be carried out by someone other than the translator. Translating a well composed and natural text in second into the
first language is much easier than translating text in first language into the second
22 language. Campbell 1998, in Translation into the Second Language, p.57, wrote
that …native writer can manipulate all the devices that go to make up natural-
looking text. The same case could be argued at finer levels of linguistic analysis; first language writers are, presumably, less likely to make
grammatical errors and unfortunate vocabulary choices than second language writers.
Yet translation will often be required into the second language, where despite advantages of probably better comprehension of the first language source
text there is the difficulty of composition into the second language. Structure within language, however complex it is, seems to cause little
difficulty for native speakers. However it may often be difficult for foreigners to replicate or master that structure. This implies difficulty in translating from the
structure of one language to another. The question of the use if di- versus me- in verbs formation, with associated fine distinctions of meaning, has been set out
well by Bambang Kaswanti Purwo 1989, and the translator will understand the use of this form. In translation, however, it is important not to be restricted by
invariably translating di- with an English passive. It is important to convey the emphasis in an Indonesian sentence appropriately in English, and an active-
passive distinction may be inadequate to convey what the Indonesian conveys Johnson, 2006.
Translation aims to produce an authentic version rather than a fake. A translation can be a work of considerable artistic achievement. In translation, it
seems that the process is best into one’s own language, essentially because one will tend not to make mistakes in one’s own language. This is true except where it
23 is not true. It is certainly true that a translation into the translator’s mother tongue
will appeal more to audience. It can be immediately comprehensible and of course quite grammatically correct and natural. The catch is of course that audience will
not be able to judge how the translation compares with the original. On the other hand, a translation out of the translator’s native language will
not likely misinterpret the original, but it may well alienate the sympathies of audience, who may feel that the translation is clumsy, incomprehensible in places,
and inappropriate in diction. The audience would rather have the translation done by their own translator Johnson, 2006.
c. Translating First Language Essay into Second Language Essay
