Translation Techniques in Translating Cultural Terms

commit to user 23 10. Addition This technique is commonly used by using additional information. It is usually applied in cultural-based translation Newmark, 1988: 92. Additional information in translation may take various forms: 1. within the text 2. notes at bottom of pages 3. notes at end of chapter 4. notes or glossary at end of book Example: SL Indonesian : Sebuah taman rekreasi di Jl. Ir. Sutami yang terletak di tepi Bengawan Solo datum no 034, p. 18 TL English : A recreation park in Jl. Ir. Sutami which located at the side of Bengawan Solo river In this case, the additional word river in the English translation adds the clearer information about what Bengawan Solo is as the Indonesian term.

F. Translation Techniques in Translating Cultural Terms

Translating cultural terms cultural–bound terms is a serious matter to be concerned. Harvey 2000:2 defines culture-bound terms as the terms which refer to concepts, institutions and personnel which are specific to the SL culture. Furthermore, Harvey 2000:2-6 puts forward the following four major techniques for translating the cultural terms cultural-bound terms: functional equivalent, formal commit to user 24 equivalent or ‘linguistic equivalent’, transcription or ‘borrowing’, descriptive or self explanatory translation. 1. Functional Equivalent This techniques are applied by using a referent in the target language TL culture having similar function to the source language SL referent. Weston 1991:23 describes it as the ideal method of translation, while Sarcevic 1985:131 asserts that it is misleading and should be avoided. Actually, some of the translators still applies the technique. 2. Formal Equivalent or linguistic equivalent It means a word-for-word translation or literal translation. 3. Transcription or borrowing i.e. reproducing or, where necessary, transliterating the original term According to Harvey 2000:4, transcription is a translation technique where the translator borrows a word or lexical term of the SL. If the term is formally transparent or is explained in the context, it may be used alone. In other cases, particularly where no knowledge of the SL by the reader is presumed, transcription is accompanied by an explanation or a translators note. 4. Descriptive or self-explanatory translation Descriptive uses generic terms not cultural-bound terms to convey the meaning of the source text Harvey 2000:5. It is appropriate to use in a wide variety of contexts where formal equivalence is considered insufficiently clear. In a text aimed at a specialized reader, it can be helpful to add the original SL term to avoid ambiguity. commit to user 25

G. Accuracy and Acceptability