CULTURAL DIFFERENCES CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
7. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES 7. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
she married another man again two years later . If It is widely known that kinship terms the translator puts Helen into passive used in one culture may vary from those position as Helen telah menikah dua kali. Dia used in another as between English and dinika hi suaminya yang pertama pada tahun Indonesian cultures. Even between two sub- cultures in the same country the differences 1980. setelah kematian suaminya pada tahun
7.1 Kinship Terms
1990, dia dinikahi kembali oleh seorang pria lain may occur as between Javanese and would be culturally acceptable, but in a Bataknese cultures. translation such as this, according to Machali Although most of English kinship terms (1998: 134) the meaning of the original has can be translated into Indonesian, but the
been distorted.
term used referring to one’s father’s brother
is not similar in both cultures. In Indonesian there are two terms referring to uncle. The 7.3 Naming and Addressing People
It seems that both Englishmen and term uak is used when the uncle is older than Indonesians (but not of all ethnic groups) one’s father and paman/pakcik is used when have different perspective on the function the uncle is younger. On the other hand, of a person’s name. The natives of Britain English does not make such distinction. So usually have more than one name (given and translating: This ring was given by my uncle family name). The given name is used in into Cincin ini diberikan paman saya can be informal situations while the family name is accurate if it is his/her younger uncle who used in formal situations. The use of a name gave the ring but it is a false translation if it which is not appropriate to the situation may is an older uncle. The translator should be offend an Englishman. For example, Allan concerned with the age of the uncle since the Smith is addressed as Allan in a formal distinction between uak and pakcik is so occasion like a conference by a speaker or as important in Indonesian culture. Smith in an informal occasion like a market
by a friend of his. In contrast, in general a
7.2 Differences of Social Status between
name for Indonesians, although not all, is
just an identity. Although many people have Normally in almost all social activities more than one name but either the first or the and institutions men are placed in superior second name can be used except in an official positions in Indonesian culture. Women are text like a birth certificate where the less often given responsibility to undertake complete name must be written. Unlike important positions or jobs except indoors Englishmen who have at least two names activities such as cooking, household with different function, Indonesians prefer management, or child care. In heterosexual calling a friend’s first name to the second or relations women are also in the passive family name. for example, Akbar is more position while men are in the active position. widely known than Tanjung of Akbar It is culturally unacceptable to say in Tanjung (the ex-head of Indonesian House of Indonesian, for example, Ibu Khadijah terlihat representative), or Megawati is more popular terlalu muda dibanding suaminya. Dia menikahi than Soekarnoputri (the ex-president of Pak rahmad ketika dia baru berumur enam belas Indonesia). Even the second name is rarely tahun. In the text, ibu Khadijah as a woman heard. So, sometimes we can hear wrong takes an active role (married her husband) addresses made by Indonesians to while her husband takes a passive role Englishmen in a formal situation like a (married by her wife). This is contrary to seminar by mentioning the title Mr or Mrs in Indonesian culture. In English both John front of the person’s first name only which, married Mary or Mary married John are equally of course, may offend the owner of the name. acceptable, since both male and female may take an active role. So, it is not easy for a
Males and Females
7.4 translator to translate, for example, Helen has Certain Things Have Important