Significance of the Study Assumptions

6

1.4. Significance of the Study

This study is significant in that it can contribute to the literatures of translating and translation. The results of the study will eventually provide some evidence of phenomenon which in turn would inspire an academic community of the university librarians to intensify the activity of translating a journal article with some flawlessness. Theoretically, the study may contribute to a concept of encouraging potential librarians working at an academic library as one crucial human resource: identification of translating ability leading to a linguistic new paradigm of translating, especially, written expressions. From a practical point of view, the results of the study can provide information on the practice of translating, change the thinking patterns of the professionals under discussion, enhance a higher motivation, and broaden their horizons by involving themselves in a more meaningful effort to produce near-flawless translations. The audience to cater – the library users: faculty members, students, researchers – will perceive some potential value of this study to at least lessen the possibility of questioning the legitimacy of the translations produced by the librarians, and be aware of translation flaws while at the same time making use of the work. At least an attempt to reveal a phenomenon worth-developing has been initiated. Two theories of translation, namely Equivalence-based theory and the Skopos theory are put forward. Both theories have their own strengths and weaknesses as will be identified in Chapter Four. To researchers, this case study can contribute to further studies on the same topic in a recursive mode Preissle, 1994, that is, being able to be used again with different subjects and with probably better parameters, more logical in sense, and broader in scope. 7

1.5. Assumptions

The researcher of the present study believes that assumptions are statements of which truth can be accepted to be the underlying concept or reference in the process of conducting research. For that reason, some assumptions are outlined below. 1. Translation is problematic. This phenomenon is conformed by the results of a study by Baorong 2009:2, Listyo 2007, and Nababan 2003:55; 2007:213 that pragmatic, cultural and text-specific translation errors are often due to the translators’ poor awareness of the purpose of the TT. Linguistic errors are generally attributable to the translators’ inadequate language competence representing deviation from standard target language paradigms and usages Nord, 1997:75. Consequently, the meaning and the quality of the produced translation are to be investigated. 2. There is no such thing as a perfect or flawless translation Newmark, 1988:188-190. In this regard, Reiss 2000 suggests that a TT of a pragmatic text should transmit the full conceptual content of an ST and produce the intended response in the target reader. While a perfect translation does not exist, some relative equivalence should be acceptable regardless of the methods and strategies applied. There is no absolute translation Alwasilah, 1991: 9-25. 3. Translating is, for many translators, cumbersome Kaur, 2006:24. Based on the researcher’s observation in the research site, it was obvious that most librarians found translating a difficult work. Translating a text from one language to another is a difficult task Listyo, 2007. In one way or another, linguistic and semantic analyses Nababan, 2003 were insufficiently involved when translating. In the practice of translating, the librarians might experience many difficulties especially when it came to providing the readers with near flawless translations. This phenomenon might bring with it some impact on their audience – the target readers: faculty members, students, and researchers. Two consequences are therefore possible: being accepted and being rejected. 8

1.6. Clarification of Terms