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b. Categories of Idioms
In this research, idioms a re categorized based on Fernando‟s 1996
theory. Fernando 1996 proposes three categories of idioms. They are pure idioms, semi-idioms, and literal idioms.
The first category is pure idioms. Fernando 1996 argues that the words that construct a pure idiom are non-literal. Thus, the meaning cannot be deduced
from the literal meaning of the elements. For example, the idiom
kick the bucket
does not have any relation with the literal meaning of
kick
or
bucket.
It does not mean to hit an open container with feet. Both of the words
kick
and
bucket
lose their literal meaning. The idiom means
to die
. Pure idioms are also invariant.
Kick
is synonymous with
strike.
However,
strike the bucket
is not an idiom and does not mean
to die
. The second category is semi-idioms. The difference between pure and
semi-idioms is the literal meaning. In pure idioms, all of the elements that construct them are non-literal. Meanwhile, in semi-idioms, there is one or more
literal elements and at least one non-literal element. For example, the idiom
kill time
has one word which maintains its literal meaning which is
time.
One word has non-literal meaning which is
kill. Kill
does not mean to make somebody die.
Kill time
means to do something unimportant at the moment while waiting for something else to happen. Besides, semi-idoms allow lexical variations.
The third category is literal idioms. Fernando 1996 argues that a literal idiom has invariant or restricted variation. Literal idioms have a close meaning
with the literal meaning of the consituents. Thus, the meaning of a literal idiom is
15 easy to understand and considered to be transparent, for example
happy birthday, merry chirstmas, on the contrary
.
2. The Definition and Process of Translation
Munday 2016 mentions three things that have connection with translation.
Translation today has several meanings: 1 the general subject field or phenomenon „I studied translation at university‟; 2 the product – that is,
the text that has been translated „they published the Arabic translation of the report‟; 3 the process of producing the translation, otherwise known
as translating „translation service‟ p. 8 Based on the definition, translation is a subject field of study which produces a
product through a process. The product is the translated text. Larson 1984 defines the process of translation is transferring meaning of the source language
SL into the target language TL. He adds that in translation, the form can be changed but the meaning is constant.
According to Nida 1964, what is important in translation is to reproduce the closest natural equivalent of the message or meaning. She adds that to
reproduce the message in the TL, there should be many adjustments made in the grammar and words. Bassnett 2008 agrees that a word in the SL can be replaced
by a word or a phrase in the TL carrying the same meaning. Culture is bound in a language. The receptors of languages understand a
text based on their own cultures. Thus, Larson 1984 states that a translation should pay attention to the culture of the SL and TL to maintain the meaning. The
process of translation by Larson is shown in Figure 2.1.
16
Figure 2.1 Translation process by Larson 1984, p. 4
The process of translation begins with reading the text that is going to be translated. This is done to get the sense of the text, such as the grammar, the
words, the context, and the culture. After that, the meaning is analyzed. Once the meaning is understood well, it is transferred or re-expressed into the TL. The
transfer includes the adjustments in the grammar and words without changing the meaning.
From the explanation, the goal of translation is the meaning. In order to express the meaning to the TL, the adjustments in grammar and words are needed.
3. Idiomatic Translation
Larson 1984 proposes two types of translation which are form-based translation and meaning-based translation. Form-based translation is also called
literal translation. Literal translation uses the same grammatical and lexical form of the SL. Newmark 1988 adds that the text is translated word for word and
sometimes out of context. Text to be
translated
Discover the meaning
Meaning Re-express
the meaning Translation
SOURCE RECEPTOR
17 The second type of translation is meaning-based translation or idiomatic
translation. The latter type of translation conveys the meaning using natural forms in the target language. Not only the grammar is changed, but also the lexical
items. SL
: What is your name? Literal Translation
: Apa namamu? Idiomatic translation : Siapa namamu?
What is your name
undergoes changes in form in Indonesian and becomes
siapa namamu
. Although there is an equivalent word for
what
in Indonesian which is
apa
, it is not employed. The meaningful and natural equivalent is
siapa
. Thus, the translation of
what is your name
becomes
siapa namamu.
The meaning remains the same which is to ask the name of the person. Meanwhile, the lexical
items are different. Translators need to produce a translation which communicates the
message of the source language. According to Pym 2010, “a translation is
successful when you do not know it is a translation” p. 32. It is agreed by Nida 1964 that “the best translation does not sound like translation” p. 12. Newmark
1988 argues that there is no such thing as a perfect translation, but a translation can be improved. Therefore, as Larson 1984 points out, it is important for the
translation to have accuracy, clarity, and naturalness. First, to reach accuracy, a translation should reproduce the meaning of the SL as nearly as possible. There
should be no information that is added or omitted because it will alter the
18 meaning. Adjustments such as deleting or adding some words may occur as long
as it does not change the meaning. Second, the translation is clear when it communicates the meaning to the
receptor of the TL. The form can be changed based on the natural form of the TL. Accordingly, it makes the translation understandable by the receptor of the TL.
The third criterion is the translation should use the natural forms of the receptor of the TL. The naturalness can be achieved by using the grammatical
forms that are normally used in the target language. Translating word for word is not necessarily done because it makes the sentence less natural.
4. Strategies for Translating Idioms
Recognizing idiom and giving an appropriate interpretation are necessary. As Larson 1984 states that it could be a danger if idioms are not translated
appropriately because it will not make sense in the TL. Thus, to achieve an accurate, clear, and natural translation, there are several strategies for translating
idioms that can be applied. Baker 2011 declares five strategies for translating idioms.
The first strategy is using an idiom of similar meaning and form
. The translation has similar meaning with the SL idiom. Moreover, the lexical items of
the SL and TL idioms are equivalent. For example, the idiom
there are plenty more fish in the sea
has the similar meaning and form in Indonesian with the idiom
masih ada banyak ikan di laut.
Both of the SL and TL idioms mean there are many people or things that are as good as the one that is failed to get.