xxv
C. Methods of Translation
A translation does not consist of one method of translation only since it is influenced by several factors. According to Nababan 2003: 29, those factors are: the different
system between the SL and the TL, the different type of text material which should be translated from SL to TL, the perception that translation is a communication means,
and the different purposes in translating a text. Therefore, a translator has to decide the most suitable method fitted to the text because it will affect the result of translation.
Newmark 1988: 45 divides the methods of translation into eight, based on the purpose of translation and the nature of readership. He pictured those methods in V
diagram: Diagram 1
Methods of Translation
SL emphasis TL emphasis
Word-for-word translation Adaptation
Literal translation Free translation
Faithful translation Idiomatic translation
Semantic translation Communicative translation
Source: Newmark, 1988: 45.
1. Word-for-word translation
In this method, the translation is bounded by the word order and the word form of the SL. As stated by Newmark “word-for-word translation is often demonstrated as an
interlinear translation, with the TL immediately below the SL words. The SL word- order is preserved and the words are translated singly by their most common meanings,
out of the context” 1988: 45-46. Therefore, it must be noted that word-for-word translation is only suitable in languages, which have the same language system.
xxvi Conversely, if the system of SL and TL is different, this kind of method cannot be used
properly because the result of the translation would be difficult to be understood. For example:
1. SL: We watch television in the evening.
TL: Kami menonton televisi di malam hari. 2.
SL: This is the best year for our company. TL: Ini adalah terbaik tahun untuk kita perusahaan.
From the example above, the sentence 1 is acceptable because the SL and the TL have the same structure, while the sentence 2 is not acceptable. It should be Ini
adalah tahun terbaik untuk perusahaan kita . Therefore, a professional translator rarely
uses this type of translation.
1. Literal Translation
Dealing with literal translation, Newmark 1988: 46 states “The SL grammatical construction is converted to their nearest TL equivalents but the lexical words are
again translated singly, out of context, as pre-translation process, this indicates the problems to be solved”. This method of translation enables the translator to change
some parts in order to get a good translation. Meanwhile, Catford 1974: 25 states, Literal translation lies between these extremes; it may start as it were from
a word-for-word translation but make changes in conformity with the TL grammar e.g. inserting additional words, changing structures at any ranks,
etc; this make it a group-group or clause-clause translation.
From the quotation above, it can be seen that Catford defines that literal translation lies between two extremes. It may start as it were from word for word translation, but
make changes in conformity with TL grammar. There can be inserted by additional words, changing structure at any rank, or other else.
Example:
xxvii SL: She is the smartest girl in this room.
TL: Ia adalah gadis terpandai di ruangan ini. From the example above, it can be seen that there are some changes in the
grammatical construction in order to fit the TL grammar.
3. Faithful Translation
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