commit to user 11
3. Translation: the abstract concept which encompasses both the process of translating and the product of that process.
Therefore, the term ‘translation’ means both the process and the product. In addition, Larson defines that translation is transferring the meaning of the
source language text into the target language text 1998:3. In translating, Larson really concerns that the meaning of the source language should be transferred into
the target language text. It is done by going from the form of the first language to the form of the second language by way of semantic structure. Then, translation consists
of studying the lexicon, grammatical structure, communication situation, and cultural context of the SL text.
Simply speaking, translation is a process of transferring the message from one language source language SL to another language target language TL done by a
translator. The message should be transferred from SL to TL well, so the target readers can easily understand the message, which is in context to be the same as when
the original readers understand the SL text.
B. Principles of Translation
The aim of the translator in translating a text is to produce good translation. In this case, equivalence is very needed. Actually, there are some conditions that
should be considered in order to produce a good translation. All of the principles of translation are emphasizing the same thing that the translators should communicate
the source language text in the natural form of the receptor language.
commit to user 12
According to Etienne Dolet in Nida 1964:15, there are some fundamental principles of translation, as follows:
1. The translator must understand perfectly the content and intention of the author whom he is translating.
2. The translator should have a perfect knowledge of the language from which he is translating and an equally excellent knowledge of the language into which he is
translating. 3. The translator should avoid the tendency to translate word for word, for to do so is
to destroy the meaning of the original and to ruin the beauty of the expression. 4. The translator should employ the forms of speech in common usage.
5. Through his choice and order of words, the translator should produce a total overall effect with appropriate tone.
From the principles above, it can be seen that Dolet highlights the reproduction of the sense and suggests to avoid word-for-word translation.
Furthermore, it is important to produce natural translation without ignoring the important of the equivalence of the translation. Moreover, Tytler in Bassnett
1991:63 describes three basic principles of translation : 1. The translation should give a complete transcript of the idea of the original work.
2. The style and manner of writing should be in the same character as that of the original.
3. The translation should have all the cases of the original composition.
commit to user 13
Those principles are related to what a translator has to do with the source text. The idea, style, and manner of writing of the source text are some aspects that should be
considered in order to produce a good translation. According to Savory 1968:50, there are some principles of translation, as
follows: 1. A translation must give the words of the original.
2. A translation must give the ideas of the original. 3. A translation should be read like an original work.
4. A translation should not be read like a translation. 5. A translation should reflect the style of the original.
6. A translation should possess the style of the translator. 7. A translation should be read as a contemporary of the original.
8. A translation should be read as a comtemporary of the translator. 9. A translation may add to or omit from the original.
10. A translation may never add to or omit from the original. 11. A translation in verse should be in prose.
12. A translation in verse should be in verse. It emphasizes that the message, meaning, and the content of the source
language should be transferred correctly and completely into the target language in order to be understood easily by the target readers.
Besides, Kridalaksana 1985:77 states that there are some factors as the requirements for a translator to produce a good translation. It is said that a translator
has to master the SL and TL, fully understands the translated material, and also
commit to user 14
master the methods and techniques of translation. Therefore, a translator should have many skills in translating the text in order to produce a good translation.
C. Process of Translation
