translate English text well. But, tenses for English learners is very complicated especially for fresh men. It is because the form of verb changes if the time
changes. In order to figure it out, tenses will be observed and explained.
1.2 Scope of Writing
In order to be able to translate English text well, English learners have to understand tenses. Because tenses extends widely, it is decided that only Present
Tense and Past Tense will be analyzed.
1.3 Objective of Writing
In writing the paper there are some objectives that should be achieved, they are;
1. To introduce translation to the readers especially the students of English Diploma III Department University of Sumatera Utara.
2. To explain English tenses. 3. To translate text in Present Tense and Past Tense form.
1.4 Significance of Writing
To make the paper fruitful for others, some significances could be shown as follows;
1. To make the readers especially students of English Diploma III Department University of Sumatera Utara understand the usage of tenses.
2. To make the readers recognize the ways of translating English Text in Present Tense and Past Tense form.
3. To fulfill one of the requirements to get Diploma III Grade in University of Sumatera Utara.
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1.5 Method of Writing
This paper based on a library research. It needs to read some books and browse internet to take information which links to the topic. And then it will be
selected and used as references. It has also to make some quotations to strengthen the quality. After gathering the materials, there are some steps need to be done in
arranging this paper. Firstly, it needs to arrange a proposal to explain the problem which will be discussed. It explains background, scope, objective, and
significance of writing. Secondly, it discusses on definition and process of translation. Thirdly, it explains about Present Tense and Past Tense and observes
some translated English text in Present Tense and Past Tense form taken from magazine such as Inside Sumatera. Finally, conclusion and suggestion can be
arranged.
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CHAPTER II
TRANSLATION OVERVIEW
2.1 Definition of Translation
There are some definitions of translation expressed by some experts of translation. Before discussing such opinions, we had better look at translation by
dictionary definition. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary 1974 translation consists of changing from one state or form to another, to turn into one’s own or
another language. In spoken or written language we communicate to other people by using words, phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. In translation they are part of
form structure of language which are going to be changed to form structure of target language. For example;
in English in Bahasa Indonesia
Word; - Car
- Mobil - Eat
- Makan Phrase;
- Sad story - Cerita sedih
- Big country - Negara besar
Clause; - I study English
- Saya belajar bahasa Inggris - Call me tonight
- Hubungi saya nanti malam Sentence;
- I am studying English for my future time in English
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- Saya belajar Bahasa Inggris demi masa depan saya in Bahasa Indonesia
According to Larson 1948 in Simatupang 1999:1 translation is a process of changing form to another form. Another form means source language
or target language. If “saya” is translated into English, so the translation is “I”. The form “saya” in Bahasa Indonesia is changed to be “I” in English.
The definition of translation by Catford 1980 in Nababan 2003:19 is process of changing text of source languange into text of target language.
Generally, Source language is the form from which the translation is made and target language is the form into which it is going to be changed. The definition
from Catford is very weak because of changing a text form from source language into target language form is impossible. It is because the grammatical structure of
every language is different in general. For example; A green leaf in English
Sebuah daun hijau in Bahasa Indonesia The grammatical structure of English and Bahasa Indonesia is different. In
English green comes first and then followed by leaf while in Bahasa Indonesia daun leaf comes first and then followed by hijau green. So, if the text is only
changed into a text in Bahasa Indonesia without considering the meaning of the text the translation could be “hijau daun”. The meaning of Daun hijau and hijau
daun are different in Bahasa Indonesia. Daun hijau means the leaf is green while hijau daun means the color of something looks green likes leaf.
While, Kridalaksana 1984 in Nababan 2003:19-20 said translation is
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process of transferring the message or meaning of a text from source language into target language by considering the message of the text and concept of
language which is used. This opinion is more acceptable under some reasons. First, a concept of word could be expressed in two different languages. Second,
the message of a text is transferred into target language by expressing it into written and spoken language. Third, the concept of language needs to be
considered in translating a text because every field of study has different concept of language in expressing messages.
According to the three previous definitions of translation, it is concluded that translation is a process of transferring the message of a text from source
language into target language by considering the grammatical structure of source and target language. It means after understanding the message and grammatical
structure of source language, the next step needs to be done is expressing the message in an appropriate way of target language.
For example, Can you feel me? in English. The translation could be;
apakah kau merasakan aku? in Bahasa Indonesia apakah kau mengerti maksudku? in Bahasa Indonesia
The first translation is not quite right because it is translated by using word for word translation and without considering the message of the text. The latter is
more acceptable because the meaning is expressed in an appropriate way of target language. So, our skill of source language should be as good as our skill of target
language. Thus, we can translate a text well.
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2.2 Process of Translation
