Translation methods and procedures of cultural issues in literary translation : a case study in Paulo Coelho`s The Alchemis.

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TRANSLATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES

OF CULTURAL ISSUES IN LITERARY TRANSLATION:

A CASE STUDY IN PAULO COELHO’S

THE ALCHEMIST

A

SARJANA PENDIDIKAN

THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

to Obtain the

Sarjana Pendidikan

Degree

in English Language Education

By

Alfonsus Rinardi Rintardo

Student Number: 071214092

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA


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i

TRANSLATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES

OF CULTURAL ISSUES IN LITERARY TRANSLATION:

A CASE STUDY IN PAULO COELHO’S

THE ALCHEMIST

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree

in English Language Education

By

Alfonsus Rinardi Rintardo Student Number: 071214092

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA


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iv

(Former elementary teacher’s feedback on my early learning progress)

(Buzz Lightyear’s motto on Disney’s cartoon movie Toy Story)

(Relieving spell silently recited every time I’m in trouble)

! ! " ! # !

! ! # $

! # ! " " "

(Ikal’s contemplation on Andrea Hirata’s novel Padang Bulan, p. 196)

I dedicate this thesis to: myself, my late parents, …and those who become family, patrons, advisors, and close friends


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vii ABSTRACT

Rintardo, Alfonsus Rinardi. (2011). Translation Methods and Procedures of Cultural Issues in Literary Translation: A Case Study in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University.

This research analyzes the translation methods and procedures used in translating English version of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist into its Indonesian version, especially dealing with cultural issues found among words, phrases, or clauses within sentences.

The formulated problems are: 1) what are the translation methods and procedures used in the translated Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and the styles of translation from the application of those methods and procedures?, 2) what is its type of text reliability? 3) what are the weakness(es) and the strength(s) of the translated The Alchemist?

To answer the problems, the researcher conducted qualitative research on content analysis. There are two sources of the research, namely primary source and secondary source. The primary source is taken from the two versions of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, while the secondary sources consist of theories of translation, theory of culture, and the review on work’s context.

The findings of the research are: 1) the translation methods used are ‘pure’ and ‘combination’ categories of form change, modulation, adaptation, and contextual conditioning, 2) the styles of translation used are: metaphor, metonymy, zeugma, periphrasis, allusion, and allegory, 3) all in all, the translations tend to pursue fluency type of text reliability, but some in cases the so called foreignism and literalism still appear. 4) despite its accuracy and naturalness, especially in using the terms or concepts dealing with spirituality and figurative language, there are more than 25% cases (of samples provided) involving weaknesses on foreignism and literalism (including misinterpretation of meaning, inconsistency use of certain word, inappropriate or ambiguous diction, and inappropriate form.

It is suggested that the future researchers may further explore the possible studies for more detailed analysis on readability measurement of selected terms / expressions, grammatical changes of sentences, symbols which appear in the story, or characterization of the story. As for the lecturer, it is recommended that this research be used to teach Translation I class.

Keywords: translation, literary translation, culture, method and procedure, case study, style


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viii ABSTRAK

Rintardo, Alfonsus Rinardi. (2011). Translation Methods and Procedures of Cultural Issues in Literary Translation: A Case Study in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Sanata Dharma.

Skripsi ini mengkaji tentang metode dan prosedur penerjemahan yang digunakan dalam novel The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho versi bahasa Inggris ke dalam versi bahasa Indonesia , terutama mengenai hal-hal yang bersifat kultural yang ditemukan pada kata, frasa, maupun klausa dalam kalimat.

Permasalahan yang muncul dalam penelitian ini adalah: 1) apa sajakah metode dan prosedur terjemahan yang digunakan dalam versi terjemahan The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho dan gaya dalam penerjemahan yang muncul dari penerapan metode dan prosedur tersebut?, 2) apakah tipe text reliability dari karya terjemahan tersebut?, 3) apa sajakah keunggulan dan kelemahan karya terjemahan The Alchemist tersebut?

Peneliti menggunakan penelitian kualitatif berupa analisis konten untuk menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan tersebut. Ada dua sumber yang digunakan dalam studi ini, yakni sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama diambil dari dua versi novel The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho, sedangkan sumber kedua meliputi teori-teori penerjemahan, teori budaya, serta konteks karya.

Hasil penelitian dari penelitian ini adalah: 1) kategori metode penerjemahan yang diterapkan merupakan variasi antara metode ‘murni’ serta ‘kombinasi’ antar metode: form change, modulation, adaptation dan contextual conditioning, 2) adapun gaya penerjemahan yang muncul dari penerapan prosedur tersebut adalah: metaphor, metonymy, zeugma, periphrasis, allusion dan allegory, 3) secara garis besar, text reliability dari karya terjemahan ini sendiri cenderung mengarah ke fluency, namun sayangnya masih menyisakan literalism dan foreignism pada beberapa kasus yang muncul, 4) meski memiliki akurasi dan penggunaan bahasa yang natural, terutama berkaitan dengan penggunaan istilah atau konsep yang berhubungan dengan spiritualitas dan bahasa figuratif, terjemahan ini memunculkan lebih dari 25% kasus, dari keseluruhan sampel, yang berkaitan dengan kelemahan dalam hal foreignism dan literalism (termasuk kesalahan interpretasi makna, inkosistensi dalam penggunaan kata tertentu, pilihan kata yang kurang tepat atau ambigu, serta bentuk yang kurang sesuai).

Para peneliti selanjutnya disarankan untuk lebih lanjut mengeksplorasi studi untuk analisis yang lebih rinci pada pengukuran tingkat keterbacaan istilah / ekspresi tertentu, perubahan gramatikal dalam kalimat, simbol-simbol yang muncul dalam cerita, atau penokohan dalam cerita. Bagi dosen, penelitian ini disarankan untuk digunakan dalam mengajar kelas Translation I.

Kata-kata kunci: terjemahan, terjemahan sastra, budaya, metode dan prosedur, studi kasus, gaya bahasa


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ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The whole process in conducting the research and writing the thesis was one of greatest parts in my life. First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for providing me with hidden blessings behind any opportunities and re-emerged spirit in past times of stagnation and long confusion.

I would also like to convey my respect and gratitude to my advisor; Drs. Antonius Herujiyanto, M. A., Ph. D; who gave me freedom to explore the field I am interested in, while providing the advices and guidance necessary for improving the analysis and presentation of research results.

I also send my gratitude to Sr. Margaret O’Donohue, FCJ for her kindness to take the time to correct my grammar in this thesis and became a critical proofreader in discussion.

My sincere thanks are also for valuable moral and scholarship supports from the Katedral Kristus Raja Purwokerto Parish, through the helps of Bu

Anik and the treasurers, and Pak Bambang, as great acquaintances of my late parents.

Thanks also go to my siblings Nana, Fran and Lia, who are also struggling to live in their own ways; for always reminding me of my goals for studying in university and my obligation to graduate as soon as possible and with the best possible results.


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x

Lastly, I give huge thanks for friends in USD EESP of all classes, especially the class of 2007 where I belong the late four years, and juniors of E3C and Insight International from classes below with Mbak Dhyana Paramitha as the amazing patron, who keeps encouraging me to graduate from the university successfully.


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xi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE……….. APPROVAL PAGES……….. DEDICATION PAGE……… STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY………. PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI……… ABSTRACT……….

ABSTRAK……….

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……… TABLE OF CONTENTS……… LIST OF TABLES……….. LIST OF APPENDICES……….

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION

A. Research Background……… B. Research Problem ……… C. Problem Limitation…….………. D. Research Objectives………. E. Research Benefits……… F. Definition of Terms……….

Page i ii iv v vi vii viii ix xi xv xvi 1 3 3 4 5 5


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xii

CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. Theoretical Description………... 1. Theories of Translation…….………. a. Good Translation……… b. Good Translator……….. c. Translation Process and Procedure………. d. Meaning-Based Translation……… e. Styles of Translation……….……….. f. Assessing Translation Product……… 2. Theory of Culture………... 3. Work’s Context………... a. The Author……….. b. Work’s Setting……… B. Theoretical Framework………..

CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY

A. Research Method………... B. Research Setting………. C. Research Participants/ Subjects………. D. Instruments and Data Gathering Technique………….. E. Data Analysis Technique………... F. Research Procedure………

8 8 8 11 12 17 17 18 19 20 20 22 24 25 25 26 26 27 28


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xiii CHAPTER IV. DISCUSSION

A.

Examining the Reconstruction of the Text on Cultural Issues on Translation Methods and Procedures …... 1. Part One………. a. Language………. b. Thought……….. c. Spirituality……….. d. Interaction………... 2. Part Two………. a. Language………. b. Thought……….. c. Spirituality……….. d. Interaction………...

B.

The Style of the Translation………. 1. Metaphor………. 2. Metonymy………... 3. Zeugma………... 4. Periphrasis……….. 5. Allusion……….. 6. Allegory………..

C.

The Type of Text Reliability………

30 31 31 35 40 43 44 44 54 65 68 70 71 72 73 73 75 75 76


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xiv

D.

The Overall Quality of the Translation and Its Translators……… 1. Quality of the Translation……….. a. Strengths………. b. Weaknesses………... 2. Quality of the Translators………... a. Strengths………. b. Weaknesses………...

CHAPTER V. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

A. Conclusions……… B. Suggestions……… 1. For the Students of Translation Class……… 2. For the Lecturer……… 3. For Future Researchers……….

REFERENCES……… APPENDICES……….. 77 77 77 80 84 84 85 86 92 92 93 94 96 99


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xv

LIST OF TABLES

Page Table 2.1 Machali’s Translation Assessment……… 18 Table 3.1 Information Derived from Questions and Their Sub-Categories… 28 Table 5.1 Distribution of Translation Method ………... 88 Table 5.2 Styles of Translation Used………. 89 Table 5.3 Laxities Found in Translating Cultural Issues……… 90


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xvi

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix A. Pipitta’s Reviews: Veronika Memutuskan Mati……… 99

Appendix B. Sang Alkemis………. 101

Appendix C. Covers of The Alchemist in English and Indonesian Edition.... 104

Appendix D. Map of Spain-Africa………. 105

Appendix E. Lesson Unit Plan KPE 321 Translation I……….. 106

Appendix F. Pictures for pre-Activities………. 111

Appendix G. Handout for Literary Translation……….. 113

Appendix H. Student’s Worksheet on Literary Translation Involving Cultural Issues………. 117


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1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter consists of six parts, namely: research background, research problem, problem limitation, research objectives, research benefits, and definition of terms.

A. Research Background

A good translation is expected to perform three good aspects, namely: “accurate”, “natural”, and “communicative” (“The Role of Translation Theory”, n. d.). Some of the translations may be well on all these aspects, while others can just fulfill one or two aspects. An unaware translation may be accurate (means that it produces the same possible meaning in the target language), but it sounds unnatural and even not communicative, which finally makes it less worthy to read. Talking about translated novels, the translator(s) (and editor) might think that there was nothing wrong with the translation product, but however the final judgment is on the readers. They are the devotee of a literary work itself. As a written product, translation text certainly will serve its users.

Paulo Coelho is one of the most prominent novelists nowadays, as well as a songwriter. This Brazilian novelist has published some inspiring novels: The Pilgrimage (1987); The Alchemist (1988); Veronika Decides to Die (1998); etc. His works usually were the results of self-spiritual contemplation.


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The researcher wants to analyze an Indonesian-translated novel of Paulo Coelho’s the Alchemist by Hamid Basyaib and Yunita as the subject of the translation study, compared to its English edition by Alan R. Clarke. In order to do so, this thesis focuses on using theories of translation (linguistic) along with theory of culture and review on work’s context as supporting theories.

The interest was aroused when one day the researcher found intriguing online posts on review column and discussion board among literary work lovers in two sites: www.goodreads.com and perca.blogdrive.com. They commented on the Indonesian version of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist by Basyaib and Yunita. One of them reviewed that the most annoying thing in the translation product is the inappropriate pronoun of the main character itself. It carries on the whole story. Some others in a rather informal discussion complained about ‘the language’ used. (It might be because the translation was either or both unnatural and or not communicative). These people were so disappointed that once they decided to stop reading any other works of Coelho, until they eventually found that the other translation products (of other translators) were better than this one, the Alchemist by Basyaib and Yunita.

The researcher was amazed to know this fact: if the readers judge one translated work of an author is not really good, or even disappointing, it may affect their perception on the other works of the same person. What a disaster! If we see this objectively, the fault (or, to be more polite, the carelessness) is on the translator(s). The readers will question about the capacity on the field, because in fact meaning-based translation should also be in accordance with perfect


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knowledge about the settings underlying the work. In this case, researcher believes that The Alchemist, as a masterpiece in literary world, has lots of cultural content that makes this work special. Review and comments worldwide even sincerely categorized it as a mind-shifter book.

This research tries to reveal how translator should work with translation, especially literally translation which deals with cultural contents.

B. Research Problems

To translate correctly and smoothly a variety of writing from English into Indonesian sometimes is not as easy as expected. Translation is not merely to transfer the language, but also the meaning and the culture embedded. From the case above, where readers perceived that the translation product of The Alchemist is not good, then problems of this thesis are formulated as follows:

1. What are the translation methods and procedures used in the translated Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and the styles of translation from the application of those methods and procedures?

2. What is its type of text reliability?

3. What are the weakness(es) and the strength(s) of the translated The Alchemist?

C. Problem Limitation

The researcher uses two novels of Paulo Coelho’s the Alchemist (the original version is a Portuguese work, O Alquimista) as objects of the study. One, which is published in English, used a source, and another is in Indonesian as a product of


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translation. In this study, the researcher limits the scope of discussion only on 60 prominent sentences dealing with cultural issues found among words, phrases, or clauses within.

To note, The Alchemist is divided into two parts: the first (the beginning) and the second part (the journeys). It is not broken down into chapters just like other common novels. Researcher takes 15 sample sentences from part one and 45 others from part two as the objects of analysis. The first part serves as an introduction to the novel’s main character, a shepherd boy named Santiago. It also portrays his wishes in life. In the second part, which is much longer than the previous part, readers are invited to follow Santiago’s journey to fulfill his wishes. In the English version the overall story seems to use simple language, but actually contains lots of new words that are potentially unfamiliar for beginner readers who don’t possess rich English vocabulary knowledge. Moreover, the story is quite philosophical. This is a kind of challenge for translator to translate such interesting and best selling novel.

With all of the restrictions, the researcher considers he could not reveal all aspects of the novel. With open heart, further researches are welcomed to refine this analysis or conduct deeper analyses on other aspects.

D. Research Objectives

Following the research problems formulated, the objectives of the research thus are:


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2. To look into the style in translation;

3. To look into the type of text reliability of the translation; and

4. To look into the strength(s) and (if any) weakness(es) of Indonesian-translated The Alchemist.

E. Research Benefits

The researcher hopes that the research will:

1. Encourage intermediate-advanced students who have interest in English-Indonesian translation to learn more about things underlying a good translation;

2. Reveal the considerations used in translating literary works, in this case is a novel; and

3. Appreciate a translation product in form of novel.

F. Definition of Terms

In this study, the author uses some keywords related to the theories and discussion:

1. Translation

Translation is basically a work to transfer an object in its original language into the target language using certain rules or considerations and based on adequate knowledge of both languages and cultures involved. Larson (1984) gives emphasis on changing form while keeping its meaning constant. “Translation is basically a change of form of the


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source language that is replaced by the form of the receptor (target) language.” As it also deals with transfer of meaning, “…the meaning transferred must be held constant” (para. 3). But, to Nida, it is not enough just to keep the meaning constant. It also needs to mind the naturalness of the result. “Translation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style .” (para. as cited in Suhendra, 1994, p. 64)

2. Literary Translation

Literary translation basically is translation work on literary products. Kwintessential defines it as “the translation of literature such as novels, poems, plays and poems”. It then is “the highest forms of translation” by applying interdisciplinary aspects mastered by the translator to work with the piece (“Types of Translation”, n. d.).

3. Culture

Culture is a set of social characteristics or features that are shared by certain community to apply in their life. Banks and McGee believe that:

The essence of a culture is not its artifacts, tools, or other tangible cultural elements but how the members of the group interpret, use, and perceive them. It is the values, symbols, interpretations, and perspectives that distinguish one people from another in modernized societies (as cited in CARLA, 2010).

Those characteristics or features that are inherited or passed down through generations differ from one community with another.


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4. Method and Procedure

In translation work, Machali (2000) refers “method deals with the whole text work and procedure works on sentence or levels below” (p. 62). It means methods are categories used in as general, typical strategies, while procedures are the specific treatments done with wording and its meaning.

5. Case Study

Case study deals with the phenomenon investigation by generalizing theories, not the samples. Then it is “not a method but a research strategy”, and more as “a choice of what is to be studied”. It should be defined “in terms of its theoretical orientation and interest in individual cases” (Hartley, et al. as cited in Kohlbacher, 2006).

6. Style

“Style is used as a term distinguished from content in writing and it stresses form or format. In other words, style means ‘how’ whereas content refers to ‘what’ “(Lynch as cited in Shi, n. d.). Styles are the ways translators transfer the content while preserving its language delicateness.


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8

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter consists of two parts, namely theoretical description and

theoretical framework.

A.

Theoretical Description

1.

Theories of Translation

a.

Good Translation

An ideal translation should be: “accurate” (reproduce the same possible

meaning of the source text), “natural” (use of natural form appropriate to the kind of

text translated) and “communicative” (express all aspects that are easy to understand

by readers) (“The Role of Translation Theory,” n. d.).

Larson (1984) similarly suggests that it must: “use normal language forms

of the receptor language, communicate as much as possible the same meaning

understood in the source language, and maintain the dynamics of the original source

text” (p. 6).

Duff (1992) proposes some principles of translation to consider:

1)

Meaning: check the meaning of the original text whether or not it is


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2)

Form: match ideas and words closely to the original text. However,

it allows form and word order changes in the target language, due to

language structure differences.

3)

Register: consider the tone of original text (formal/fixed or personal

expressions).

4)

Source language influence: natural means not sound like the

original language.

5)

Style and clarity: translator needs to maintain the style of original

text and simultaneously do adjustment for the reader sake.

6)

Idiom: Idiomatic expressions are commonly untranslatable. It

cannot be forcibly translated into L2 (target language) without

considering the naturalness. To work with them, translator may

retain the original word/expressions in inverted commas ‘_______’

or give literal explanation in brackets ______ (___), use

non-idiomatic translation (para. 10-11).

In discussing translation text, Robinson (1997) refers to types of text

reliability:

1)

Literalism: words-by-words translation as close as possible to the

source text.

2)

Foreignism: the translation still has a little bit strange or unfamiliar

feel, though the readers consider it not as an original work.


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3)

Fluency: the translation is so accessible that it feels like an original

in L2 (meaning-based translation is closely related to this kind of

text reliability).

4)

Summary: the translation summarizes only main points of the

original.

5)

Commentary: the translation simplifies the complexity or explores

the implications of the original.

6)

Summary-Commentary: the translation explores the main part and

summarizes the rests of the original.

7)

Adaptation: the translation transformed in such form that it meets the

substance for the target user.

8)

Encryption: the translation is decoded for certain group of users to

hide its messaging or meaning (para. 10-11).

Newmark believes that:

Observing the quality of a translation can focus on methods used by its

translation, whether source language oriented (translating word-by-word,

literal, or somatic) or target language oriented (adaptation, free translation,

idiomatic translation, or communicative translation) (as cited in Machali,

2000, p. 49-52).

This methods observation makes measurement on translation quality easier

to do, by knowing the general orientation of the translation work.


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b.

Good Translator

To produce a good translation, there is a need also to be a good translator.

Nida argues that a translator should be capable to: have an adequate knowledge of the

source language (can not just rely on the dictionary), to understand the contents of the

message of source language and to retain the subtlety of certain emotive meaning and

value of the source language vocabulary and style that will determine the taste of the

message delivered (para., as cited in Suhendra, 1994, p. 64).

Polet suggests these must-have qualities:

1)

The translator must perfectly understand the sense and material of the

original author although he should feel free to clarify obscurities;

2)

The translator should have a perfect knowledge of both SL and TL, so as

not lessen the majesty of the language;

3)

The translator should avoid Latinate and unusual forms;

4)

The translator should avoid word for word rendering; and

5)

The translator should assemble and liaise words eloquently to avoid

clumsiness (as cited in Munday, 2001, p. 27).

Robinson (1997) calls for translator reliability regard to the text within these

aspects:

1)

Attention to the details;

2)

Sensitivity to the user’s needs (type of translation desired);

3)

Research on specific unknown terms or words; and

4)

Checking by proofreader to avoid doubt (p. 12-14).

To be more specific about literary translators, Suryawinata believes that they

need to:


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2)

Control and able to understand the target language well, correctly, and

effectively;

3)

Know and understand the literature, appreciation of literature, as well as

translation theory;

4)

Have sensitivity to literary works;

5)

Have the flexibility of cognitive and socio-cultural; and

6)

Have the tenacity and strong motivation (para. as in Haryanti, 2006, p.

169).

c.

Translation Process, Methods, and Procedure

According to Nida and Taber, translation process, basically covers:

1)

Analysis: the translator looks on grammatical context, words meaning,

textual meaning and contextual meaning to analyze the sentences of

original text;

2)

Transfer: the translator digests the meaning of analyzed original text;

3)

Restructuring: the translator finds equivalent words, expressions and

sentence structure in L2 to maintain the content, meanings and messages

of the original text; and

4)

Evaluation and Revision: translator rechecks the translation product by

comparing to the original one to get the closest equivalences (para., as in

Suryawinata and Hariyanto, 2003, p. 19).


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But, Suryawinata and Hariyanto (2003) find that basically the process works

on analysis of original text and its messages/meanings and then retell those

messages/meanings with acceptable words or sentences of target language (para. 19).

Machali (2000) states some proper procedures in translation. She differs

between method and procedure. “Method deals with the whole text work and

procedure works on sentence or levels below” (p. 62). The methods focus on:

1) Shift / Transposition/Form Change

There are four groups of grammatical form changes due to language gap.

It is only needed when the target language does not have the same

grammatical structure for a text of source language. The changes are as

elaborated below.

The first group:

Plural-noun in English converted into singular one in bahasa

Indonesia;

Ex: ‘a pair of jeans’ = ‘sebuah celana jeans’

Adjective reduplication in bahasa Indonesia as variation for English

plural-noun;

Ex: “Rumah di Jakarta bagus-bagus.” from English “The houses in

Jakarta are built beautifully.”


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Reverse of pattern adjective + noun into noun + adjective and the

order of adjectives.

Ex: ‘beautiful woman’ = ‘wanita (yang) cantik’.

The second group:

The adjustment not to put object in the beginning of a sentence;

Ex: “Buku itu harus kita bawa.” = “We must bring the book.”

The adjustment not to put verb in the beginning of a sentence.

Ex: “Berbeda penjelasannya.” = ”The explanation differs.”

The third group:

The conversion of noun/noun phrase in source language into verb

in target language;

Ex: “... to train intellectual men for the pursuits of an intellectual

life.” = “untuk melatih para intelektual untuk mengejar kehidupan

intelektual.”

Adjective + noun turned into noun + noun;

Ex: ‘medical student’ = ‘mahasiswa kedokteran’

Clause underlined in source language is explicitly stated in target


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Ex: “The cells

carrying

the germs are dangerous.” = “Sel-sel yang

membawa/mengandung ...”

Noun phrase with adjective on source language turned into noun

clause.

Ex: ‘thinking person’ = ‘orang yang berpikir’.

The fourth group:

A textual focus signal on source language is stated grammatically in

target language;

Ex: “Perjanjian inilah yang diacu.” = “It is this agreement which is

referred to (not anything else).”

The commonly change from word in source language into

clause/phrase, phrase into clause, and so on.

Ex: ‘adept’ = ‘sangat terampil’ or ‘interchangeability’ = ‘keadaan

dapat saling dipertukarkan.’

2)

Meaning Change / Modulation

Modulation is needed by changing the perspective when there is no

equivalence for words, phrase, or structure on the target language.

Only one between two words has the equivalence on target


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Ex: ‘lessor’ and ‘lessee’ = ‘orang / pihak yang menyewakan’ atau

‘pemberi sewa’ dan ‘penyewa.’

Active sentence changed into passive voice;

Ex: “The problem is hard to solve.” = “Masalah itu sukar (untuk)

dimusnahkan.”

Split subject structure needs a clarification;

Ex: “Buku tersebut telah disahkan penggunaaannya oleh Dikti.” =

“The use of the book has been approved by Dikti.”

Specific words share general and particular meaning of a word in

target language.

Ex: ‘society’ = ‘masyarakat’ (social relationship) and ‘community’ =

‘masyarakat’ (group of people).

3)

Adaptation

It is a kind of cultural adjustment on two situations.

Ex: ‘Dear Sir’ = ‘Dengan hormat’ not ‘Tuan yang Terhormat’.

4)

Contextual Conditioning

Put the information within a context so that its meaning is clear to the

reader.


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Ex: ‘selamat malam’ could be translated as ‘good night’ or ‘good

evening’.

“Hari ini adalah 40 harinya ibunya.” = “This day is the fortieth day of

her mother’s death.”

5)

Footnote Conditioning happens only if there is a deadlock in

translating the text (para. 62-72).

d. Meaning-Based Translation

Larson (1984) points out on the goal of any translator, which is “to keep the

meaning constant” (p. 11). It means a meaning-based translation allows translator to

change the form of source text wherever necessary, as long as its meaning is not

distorted.

e. Styles of Translation

Friedman further describes the kinds of style in translation. According to

him, it includes:

1)

Metaphor

is a transfer of some quality from among objects based on

resemblance;

2)

Trite Metaphor

is a metaphor that overused in speech and often turns

into idiomatic phrases, fixed in dictionaries;


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3)

Metonymy

is a transference of meaning which is based on contiguity of

notions;

4)

Irony

is a simultaneous realization of two opposite meanings: the direct

and implied;

5)

Zeugma

is an application of two different meanings of the word at once

that creates a pun (direct and figurative meaning at once);

6)

Periphrasis

is a process of renaming, that sometimes applied by

creating

euphemism

;

7)

Allusion

is an indirect reference to a historical or literary fact (or

person) contained in the text.

8)

Allegory

is a use of objects or characters figuratively, representing some

more general things, good or bad qualities, including

personification

(para. as cited in Goumovskaya, 2007).

f.

Assessing Translation Product

Machali (2000) comes with a table of translation assessment as follows:

Table 2.1 Machali’s Translation Assessment

Category Score Indicators

Almost Perfect 86 – 90 (A) Fluent translation, no mispell, no

gramatical mistake, no diction confusion.


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Category Score Indicators

Very Good 75 – 85 (B) No meaning distortion, no literal

translation, no diction confusion, only few grammatical / spelling mistakes appear.

Good 61 – 74 (C) No meaning distortion; few literal

translations; grammatical, diction, and idiomatic mistakes appear but no more than 15 % of all text.

Average 46 – 60 (D) Sounds like a translation.

There are some literal translations; idiomatic or grammatical mistakes, and unproper dictions but no more than 25% of all texts.

Poor 20 – 45 (E) Sounds really like a translation; there are

literal translations, meaning distortions, and improper dictions more than 25% of all texts (para. 119-120).

2.

Theory of Culture

In translating sometimes unaware translation can possibly translate the

original work inappropriately, especially when it contains certain foreign cultural

aspects. This problem may appear for the lack of knowledge on the translator. He or

she should know the cultural settings related to the work translated, something called

cultural translation.


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Further about culture, the researcher refers to a theory about culture. It

defines that culture refers to the following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:

1)

Language

: the most complicated medium of expression;

2)

Arts & Sciences : the most advanced and refined forms of human

expression;

3)

Thought

: the ways people perceive, interpret, and understand the

surrounding world;

4)

Spirituality : the contemplated value system transmitted through

generations that is expressed through language and deeds;

5)

Social activity : the shared purposes within a cultural community,

demonstrated in events and celebrations; and

6)

Interaction: the social aspects of human contact, as applied in giving and

taking of socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions (para.

“Definition of Culture”, n. d

.).

3.

Work’s Context

a.

The Author

As acknowledged previously in the background of study, Paulo Coelho is a

Brazilian novelist and songwriter.


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His life is reviewed by Wikipedia as follows. He knew that he wanted to be

a writer soon after entering Jesuit school as a teenager. Tried to live his own way, her

parents once sent him into mental institution when he was under 20. He finally

entered law school to fulfill his parents’ wish, but then he dropped out to travel

around the world: South America, Mexico, North Africa and Europe. After that, he

had a hard life by performing hippie’s life and committed subversive actions during

60’s-70’s period. He took another amazing trip to a famous place in Spain. That was

Santiago de Compostella, a hundred –miles road of ancient pilgrimage. This long

journey enlightened him spiritually, inspiring him to work with his novel entitled

Pilgrimage

soon after he came back home. He wrote his most famous work,

The

Alchemist

, the following year. This work later was recorded in The Guinness Book

of Records as the most translated book by a living author (in 71 languages, over 65

million copies worldwide).

Totally, Coelho has published 29 books (all were originally in Portuguese).

He distributed his work firstly by peer-to-peer file sharing network. Two of them,

The

Pilgrimage

and

The Valkyries

, are autobiographical, while the rest mostly are fiction,

although rooted in his life experiences. Here is the list of his books:

The Manifest of

Krigha

and

Theater for Education

(1974);

Hell Archives

(1982);

Practical Manual of

Vampirism

(1986);

The Pilgrimage

(1987);

The Alchemist

(1988);

Brida

(1990);

The

Greatest Gift

(1991)

; The Valkyries

(1992);

Maktub

and

By the River Piedra I Sat

Down and Wept

(1994);

The Fifth Mountain

(1996);

Love Letters from a Prophet

and


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Words

(1998);

The Devil and Miss Prym

(2000);

Fathers, Sons and Grandsons

(

2001);

Eleven Minutes

(2003);

And on the Seventh Day, The Genie and Roses,

Journeys

(2004);

The Zahir

and

Revived Path

(2005);

Like The Flowing River

and

The Witch of Portobello

(2006);

Life: The Selected Quotations

(2007);

The Winner

Stands Alone

(2008); and

The Aleph

(2010).

b.

Work’s Setting

As many reviews said, Coelho’s

The Alchemist

is a story with delicate

symbols embedded. It combines simple wordings with abundant symbols of a fable.

The story takes place in the Andalusia countryside (Spain) at the beginning,

where the shepherd Santiago as the main character used to graze his sheep flock. As

the story goes, Santiago travels across the sea to Tangier, Morocco (Africa).

Afterward, the story introduces the adventure on the desert and pyramid of Egypt.

Eventually, the whole story end back where it began: an abandoned church in

Andalusia.

No specific time informed in the story, since it is a fable. But, if we look

deeper and see the details, especially the meeting of Andalusia people with the Moors

(Moslems of Western Africa), we may link it back in history to the post

Reconquista

era, after the fall of Islamic caliph (Umayyad) which formerly had reigned in Spain,

especially in some prominent areas like Seville, Toledo, and Granada. Another signal

to the rather modern age is the use of revolver as revealed in a dialogue between

Santiago and The Englishman and rifles in the tribesmen attack to Al-Fayoum oasis.


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B.

Theoretical Framework

Those theories reviewed above are used to help the researcher conducting

this research, which focuses on analyzing the translated sentences related to cultural

issues. The theory of good translator and good translation in general later will help in

making the conclusion of data analyzed. The theory about translation process &

procedure, culture, style, meaning-based translation, and translation assessment are

used to conduct deeper research on the selected data.

A good translator should have perfect knowledge on languages involved in

work as well as the matter or culture involved. The knowledge of language

encompass: the grammatical rules, the meaning complications (including idiomatic

expressions), the diction, the register, the styles, and the translation rules and process

that requires extra attentions to the details (Robinson, 1997; Nida, as cited in

Suhendra, 1994; Polet, as cited in Munday, 2001). To work on literary work

containing cultural contents, an aware translator should also understand the

underlying principles of literature and its appreciation. Further research on culture

embedded may also be conducted to help adjusting the translation product to meet the

readers’ needs without distorting the original content (Robinson, 1997; Suryawinata

as in Haryanti, 2006). After all, to Robinson (1997), a kindness to consider and apply

useful criticism and suggestion obtained from the proofreaders will really help

maintaining the quality of the translation (para. 14).

A good translator will eventually produce a good translation product. A

good translation product fulfills the requirements as it should: “accurate, natural and


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communicative”. It means a translation work not only produce the same meaning as

its original work, it should also use of natural form appropriate to the kind of text

translated that is easy to understand by the readers (para. “The Role of Translation

Theory,” n. d.) . In his “Meaning–Based Translation” concept, Larson (1987)

described it as to change the form of source text wherever necessary, as long as its

meaning is not distorted (para. 11).

In accordance with Duff’s proposal on some principles of translation to

consider, a translation process will undergo some steps: “analysis”; “transfer”;

“restructuring”; “evaluation and revision” (Duff, 1992; Nida and Taber, as in

Suryawinata and Hariyanto, 2003). Research on Paulo Coelho’s

The Alchemist

specifically looks on “restructuring” step, in which covers translation methods

classified by Machali (2000). Researcher will work on this level to reveal the

methods procedures applied to the 60 assorted sentences under six common cultural

categories as suggested by Roshan Institute, accompanied by Friedman’s theory on

styles on translation (“Definition of Culture”, n. d

.;

Friedman, as cited in

Goumovskaya, 2007). From the data analysis, later researcher could summarize the

quality of the translation, whether it is source language oriented or target language

oriented. The orientation could be specified to show its type text of reliability

(Newmark, as cited in Machali, 2000; Robinson, as cited in Munday, 2001). Finally,

from the intertwined analyses, researcher will be able to conclude the strength(s) and

weakness(es) of the translation and its translators.


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25

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter consists of six parts, namely: research method, research setting, research participants / subjects, instruments and data gathering technique, data analysis technique, and research procedure.

A. Research Method

To look into translation methods and procedures applied on the translated Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, the researcher conducted a qualitative research. The type of research chosen was content analysis. It could also be considered as a specific form of typological analysis. Weber defined this type as “look at documents, text, or speech to see what themes emerge.” It then tends to be theory driven with specified rules for data analysis (as cited in Ratcliff, n. d.). The text examined was in a form of novel. It then used a case study with sentences as the strategy. This strategy used to reveal the patterns / schemes in data and any possible relationship among them.

B. Research Setting

The researcher conducted the content analysis research during February to October 2011.


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C. Research Participants / Subjects

The subjects of the research in this thesis were in the form of texts, which were two versions of Paulo Coelho’s the Alchemist novel. One of them was a 177-page English edition by Alan R. Clarke, which was published by Harper San Francisco in 1999. Another one was a 196-page Indonesian edition by Hamid Basyaib and Yunita, which was published by Pustaka Alvabet in 2004. Data used for analysis were sample of words, phrases, and clauses within sentences in the novels. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2008) defined sampling as “the process of systematically selecting that which will be examined during the course of a study”. Type of sampling fitted to the data was stratified purposive sampling. Patton stated this type of sampling as “samples within samples and suggests that purposeful samples can be stratified or nested by selecting particular units or cases that vary according to a key dimension” (as cited in Ratcliff, n. d.)

D. Instruments and Data Gathering Technique

As Patton mentioned about research instrument in qualitative research, researcher functioned as the "human instrument" of data collection (as in Hoepfl, 1997). The other instruments accompanied were list of sub-categories pre-defined to gather eligible data (as summarized in Table 3.1 in this chapter). To obtain the representative data, researcher took 60 sentences from the two parts of the novel: 15 from the first half part and 45 from the other part. The ratio 1:3 taken was in accordance to the ratio of pages between both parts, in which the second part is almost three times than the first.


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E. Data Analysis Technique

In analyzing data, the researcher referred to process on analyzing qualitative as data described by Powell and Renner (2003):

1. Get to Know Data

The researcher needed to read the text several times to really understand the data desired. Only quality data would be picked as samples. The sampling took limitation only words, phrases, or clauses within sentence level involving cultural issues.

2. Focus the Analysis

The researcher referred to the objectives of the research to decide what exactly to find among abundant data and the targeting few questions. As stated in the problem formulation, then, researcher focused to look on translation methods and procedures, translation style, and translation type of text reliability to later summarize the whole quality of the translation product of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and its translators.

3. Categorize Information

The researcher identified themes or pattern on selected sentences through ideas or terminology used to organize them into coherent sub-categories of culture suggested by Roshan Institute: “language”, “arts and sciences”, “thought”, “spirituality”, “social activity” and “interaction” (“Definition of Culture”, n. d.). As suggested by Weber in his theory on Content Analysis Research, all data gathered then should be inclusive and exhaustive; meaning


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each of them fitted a category and, overall, some of possible sub-categories (para. as cited in Ratcliff, n. d.).

Table 3.1 Information Derived from Questions and Their Sub-Categories

Question Sub-Categories

a. What are themethods (and procedures) used in the translated Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist?

Form Change (FC), Modulation (M), Adaptation

(A), Contextual Conditioning (CC), and Footnote

Conditioning (FtC)

b. How they (the procedures and methods) influence

the styles?

Metaphor (M), Trite Metaphor (TM), Metonymy

(My), Irony (I), Zeugma (Z), Periphrasis (P),

Allusion (A), Allegory (Ay)

c. What is its (the translation) type of text reliability?

Literalism (L), Foreignism (Fo), Fluency (Fl),

Summary (S), Commentary (C),

Summary-Commentary (SC), Adaptation (A), Encryption (E)

4. Identify Patterns and Connections Within and Between Categories

The researcher identified the possibility of same procedures applied on sentences under a sub-category and even might link sentences between categories for their related ideas.

5. Interpretation

The researcher used themes and connections revealed among sub-categorized information to attach meanings and significances to the analysis.

F. Research Procedure

Overall, the steps taken in the research were as follow.

1. Setting literary translation fan-based cases in internet postings as the background of the research and formulated the problems of the research derived from the cases.


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2. Preparing two versions of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and related literature fitted to the research topic from both printed and electronic sources.

3. Selecting the theories to be synthesized in the theoretical framework.

4. Reading the two versions of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist simultaneously to get the understanding on the whole text.

5. Gathering eligible data in forms of words, phrases, and clauses within sentences from the novel using sampling limitation by research’s topic (cultural issues) and pages ratio on parts of the novel (1:3).

6. Analyzing data to get major findings through a process of categorization, identification, and interpretation to fulfill the objectives of the research. 7. Drawing the conclusion and possible additional suggestions from the findings


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30

CHAPTER IV

DISCUSSION

This chapter, which is intended for answering the problems formulation, consists of four parts, namely: Examining the Reconstruction of the Story on Cultural Issues on Translation Methods and Procedures, The Style of the Translation, The Type of Text Reliability and The Overall Quality of the Translation and Its Translators.

A. Examining the Reconstruction of the Text on Cultural Issues on Translation Methods and Procedures

Referring to Machali’s theory on translation procedures (2000), the researcher examined the whole text of the two versions of The Alchemist to find eligible sentences containing cultural issues. In accordance to Roshan Institute’s theory on culture, the issues later were specified into six possible sub-categories, to obtain effective generalization among abundant data. The categories are: “language”, “arts and sciences”, “thought”, “spirituality”, “social activity”, and “interaction” (“Definition of Culture”, n. d.).

Considering that the proportion of the data (sentences) between the two parts of the translated novel is almost 1: 3, on which part one consists of 53 pages and part two 128 pages (Indonesian Edition), the researcher decided to apply this


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ratio on the limitation of data sample. Researcher would only take 60 selected sentences among similar others, under categories that had firmly planned, from both the English version by Clarke, and the Indonesian by Basyaib and Yunita.

1. Part One

In this part the researcher took only 15 sentences as prominent data by referring some possible similar or related, but not-taken, sentences or parts. There are four major categories found among selected data in this part: “language”, “thought”, “spirituality”, and “interaction”.

a. Language

1) The roof had fallen in long ago, and an enormous sycamore had grown on the spot where the sacristy had once stood (p. 3).

Atapnya sudah lama runtuh, dan pohon sikamor yang sangat besar tumbuh di titik tempat sakristi pernah berdiri (p. 5).

Method of Translation : Adaptation.

Procedure of Translation : Translators found a difficulty to get an equivalence of word ‘sycamore’, as Hornby (2004a) mentions it as “a kind of European tree of maple family”, that is not typically Indonesian vegetation (p. 1318). They finally tried to create an Indonesian-sounding version of that word,


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pohon sikamor.’ The phrase created a feel of “foreignism”. Robinson (1997) points out that foreignism occurred as “the translation still has a little bit strange or unfamiliar feel, though the readers consider it not as an original work” (p. 10). Theoretically this situation is almost similar to Modulation Method, but without trying to change the perspective. The word ‘sacristy’ underwent the same procedure. But this word fortunately is a bit recognized in Indonesia, for it also belongs to religious context; a typical of Catholic’s vocabulary; as Hornby mentions (2004b) it refers to “a room in a church where a priest prepares for a service and where various objects used in worship are kept(p. 1127). So, translators took a risk to simply use the Indonesian wording, with hope that most of the readers (even the non-Catholics) would understand with no need for further information. The case on ‘sycamore’ appeared in the sentence, refers to Robinson (1997), requires the translators to research on specific unknown terms or words (p. 13). To Duff’s principles of translation (1992), it indicates “source language influence”, in which the translation sounds like the original (para. 10).

2) "Well, if you know how to read, why are you just a shepherd? (p. 5)" “Eh, kalau kamu bisa baca, kenapa cuma jadi gembala? (p. 8)”

Method of Translation : Modulation

Procedure of Translation : The interjection ‘well’ here was translated as ‘eh’, to express a state of surprise or shock. To note, the translation of the word


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'well' is quite vary, sometimes can be interpreted as other opening expressions, which are usually used in informal conversations. This case is closely related to Duff’s (1992) “register” (p. 10). The tone in the translation version transformed into the less formal form. Here were the other alternative expressions with word ‘well’ found on Part One of the novel:

"Well, interpret the dream," he said (p. 14). “Oke, tafsirkan mimpi itu, “ katanya (p. 17).

“‘Well,' asked the wise man, 'did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in my dining hall? (p. 33)”

Nah,” tanya orang bijak itu, “apakah kamu melihat tapestri Persia yang tergantung di ruang makanku? (p. 36)”

And also in Part Two:

"Well, why don't you go to Mecca now?" asked the boy (p. 57). “Kok, Bapak tidak pergi ke Mekah sekarang?” tanya si bocah (p. 61).

3) They were content with just food and water, and, in exchange, they generously gave of their wool, their company, and—once in a while—their meat (p. 7). Mereka puas hanya dengan makanan dan air, dan, sebagai imbalannya, mereka dengan murah hati memberikan wol, rekan mereka, dan – sesekali – daging mereka (p. 9).

Method of Translation : Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : Translators seemed to be confused to choose between using the word 'company' as a 'friend' or the 'friendship' as a logical


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relationship of the meaning of 'friend'. Researcher believed in this sentence, the intended meaning for word ‘company’ was more likely as ‘friendship’ than ‘friend.’ If it means ‘friend’, the sense collides with the next phrase, about giving their own flesh. 'Giving their friend' can also mean choosing between them for slaughter. In the end means the same: give the meat. This was one of translators’ inaccuracies that can cause unnaturalness sensed by the reader who is quite meticulous in understanding the meaning of the text. Duff (1992), in his principle “meaning”, suggests translator to “check the meaning of the original text whether or not it is clear enough or underlying implications” (p. 10).

4) At other times, at a crucial moment, I make it easier for things to happen (p. 24)

Di waktu lain, pada saat genting, aku mempermudah terjadinya hal-hal yang muskil (p. 27).

Method of Translation : Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : Translators put information within a context to clarify the meaning. ‘Things’ later clarified as ‘hal-hal yang muskil’ to emphasize the difficult ones. ‘Muskil’ itself is a word that was adopted uptake of Arabic, which happened to fit appropriate setting of this story, which also reviews the Arab culture.


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b. Thought

5) The boy's name was Santiago (p. 3). Nama Bocah Itu Santiago (p. 5).

Method of Translation : Adaptation

Procedure of Translation : Adapted the subject or doer into local / target language perception. Here ‘boy’ translated as ‘bocah’. This may be the weirdest and most annoying detail that carried throughout the story. This even triggered a critic in a internet fan page review of the novel. ‘Bocah’ in Indonesian perception will be considered as ‘any kids, usually at pre-teenage’, or Pusat Bahasa Departemen Pendidikan Nasional Republik Indonesia through KBBI Daring refers it as ‘anak (kecil); kanak-kanak’ (“Bocah”). If we go into the details of the story scattered throughout this novel, it is known that at minimum Santiago the shepherd was a teenager, and more suitable for the so-called 'pemuda', or; another alternative; 'anak muda’ that indicates a bit of maturity. The use of the imposed meaning ‘bocah’ would violate some parts of the story that create the sense of maturity of the main character himself, such as follows.

He recognized that he was feeling something he had never experienced before: the desire to live in one place forever. With the girl with the raven hair, his days would never be the same again (p. 6).


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This part clearly indicates that the boy falls in love with a girl, a psychological condition that generally are experienced by young men.

That he had attended a seminary until he was sixteen (p. 8).

This apparently estimates that the age of the young man now is more than sixteen years old, during which some time ago he decided to quit from the seminary to become a wandering shepherd with his sheep.

Some other situations that also support the view of the maturity of the main character: the wine he drinks as part of his dinner, philosophical talks with Melchizedek the Old King of Salem, and his desire to have a sword when he saw it in a marketplace of Tangier. Overall, those were things that seemed impossible to be owned or performed by a character who is a child, or younger than teenage. As Robinson’ principles of translator reliability (1997), translator needs to give “attention to the details” (p. 12). To Suryawinata this then means that the translators had less flexibility of cognitive and socio-cultural (para. as cited in Haryanti, 2006, p. 169).

6) There, he could exchange his book for a thicker one, fill his wine bottle, shave, and have a haircut; he had to prepare himself for his meeting with the girl, and he didn't want to think about the possibility that some other shepherd, with a larger flock of sheep, had arrived there before him and asked for her hand (p. 11).


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Di sana dia dapat menukarkan bukunya dengan buku yang lebih tebal, mengisi botol anggurnya, bercukur dan potong rambut; dia harus mempersiapkan diri untuk pertemuan dengan gadis itu, dan dia tidak ingin memikirkan kemungkinan ada gembala lain, dengan kawanan domba yang lebih banyak, sampai duluan di sana dan melamarnya (p. 14).

Method of Translation : Form Change and Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : Translators translated figurative expression of ‘ask one hand’ into ‘melamar’. An accurate translation, although the imperceptive readers may need to imagine themselves further of the context: the scene of a young man knelt down and grabbed a young woman’s hand to kiss, to say a proposal. A perfect image that quite often appears in romantic tales well-represented by a single verb: ‘melamar’. To Duff’s principles (1992), this case belongs to “style and clarity”, in which suggests translator to “maintain the style of original text and simultaneously make adjustment for the reader’s sake” (p. 10). To Robinson’ (1997), it indicated “sensitivity to the user’s needs (type of translation desired)” (p. 13).

7) "It describes people's inability to choose their own destinies … (p. 18)” “Ia menggambarkan ketidakmampuan orang untuk memilih Legenda Pribadi mereka sendiri … (p. 21)”


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Procedure of Translation : Quite intriguing to look at this sentence translators took the initiative to create a new phrase itself as an alternative translation for the word 'destiny', which is actually quite easy to digest in Indonesian context as the popular: 'takdir' or 'nasib'. But researcher tends to assume that they decide to 'borrow' a direct translation for the phrase 'Personal Legend' that will appear later in the story, and use the translation for both original words / phrases alternately.

8) "Rather than finding a saintly man, though, our hero, on entering the main room of the castle, saw a hive of activity: tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and there was a table covered with platters of the most delicious food in that part of the world … (p. 32)”

“Tanpa mencari orang bijak itu dulu, pahlawan kita langsung saja memasuki ruang utama istana itu, melihat macam-macam kegiatan: para pedagang datang dan pergi, orang-orang berbincang di sudut-sudut, orkestra kecil memainkan musik yang lembut, dan ada sebuah meja yang dipenuhi piring-piring makanan terlezat yang ada di belahan dunia tersebut … (p. 35)”

Method of Translation : Adaptation and Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : The phrase 'a saintly man' in English, which borrows the concept of respect for 'saint' or 'santo; orang suci' in Christianity, generally translated as ‘orang bijak itu', considering the culture


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of the Moslem majority in Indonesia, which may have different language expressions of respect for their religious figures. The next part, once again, is an imaginative translation. 'A hive of activity' as an image of ‘macam-macam kegiatan', or we can simply call it 'kesibukan', as in a hive of bees, where each of them seems busy doing something specific, just like people busy doing their own business.

9) The sun began its departure, as well (p. 40). Matahari pun mulai membenam (p. 43).

Method of Translation : Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : The translation of this figurative sentence applied a personification. The sentence describes that the Sun 'began its departure', as if he would go, leaving his original position. This was then interpreted as a change of time between light and dark, between noon and evening, at which time the sun ‘mulai terbenam', which in this sentence was expressed as ‘pun mulai membenam’, unusual in word ‘membenam’. Duff’s “form” principle allowed “form and word order changes in the target language, due to language structure differences”, but in this case translators were less natural in using form as it should, which was also suggested by Larson: “use normal language forms of the receptor language” and Polet: “the translator should avoid Latinate and unusual forms” (Duff, 1992; Larson, 1984, Polet, as cited in Munday, 2001).


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10)In half an hour, he had cleaned all the glasses in the window (p. 48).

Dalam setengah jam, dia sudah membersihkan semua barang di etalase (p. 52).

Method of Translation : Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : The word 'window' has two equivalents in the Indonesian language: 'jendela', an area on the side of a building that serves for the air exchange, which becomes a general sense, as well as ‘etalase' (adapted from the Dutch word 'etalage') which refers specifically to a place to display merchandise.

c. Spirituality

11)The room's furnishings consisted of a table, an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and two chairs (p. 11-12).

Perabot ruangan itu terdiri dari satu meja, sebuah patung Hati Suci Yesus, dan dua kursi (p. 14).

Method of Translation : Form Change and Adaptation

Procedure of Translation : Reversed the pattern of adjective + noun into noun + adjective in ‘Hati Suci ‘. Other things that need to be observed from the translation in this sentence are that another possibility for the translation of


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'image' as ‘lukisan’; a two-dimensional work, and the selection of the word ‘Hati Suci Yesus' to 'the Sacred Heart of Jesus', which in real application of Catholic rituals in Indonesia, usually tend to use the term ' Hati Kudus Yesus '. This was not a wrong translation, but the preference was less precise. Some other direct translations of religious words concerning the two major religions: Islam and Catholicism, (that fairly exposed in this novel) that can be found in Part One are:

He recited an Our Father silently (p. 12). Diam-diam dia merapal doa Bapa Kami (p. 15).

"The Koran requires me to feed a hungry person (p. 48)."

Al-Quran menyuruhku memberi makan orang yang lapar (p. 52).”

12)"A practice of infidels," he said to himself (p. 35). “Sembahyang orang kafir,” gumamnya (p. 39).

Method of Translation : Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : This simple translation that pursing the meaning of 'practice' to 'sembahyang' (an Indonesian word that tends to refer to the Moslem’s prayer activity) also revealed a common paradigm of the fundamentalist Catholic at that time, about erroneous stereotypes about the non-Christian doctrine and worship with them, especially the Muslims. In socio-historically, this stems from the narrow fanaticism set in a colossal conflict which occurred in the era of the Crusades in the early Middle Age,


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whose effects are rooted deep down to modern times thereafter, especially in terms of reaction and expression of the Christian laity of different faiths. They use the word 'infidel' as common expression of rejection and humiliation. This case sucessfully fulfilled Suryawinata’s principle on having the flexibility of cognitive and socio-cultural (para. as in Haryanti, 2006, p. 169).

13)As a child in church, he had always looked at the image of Saint Santiago Matamoros on his white horse; his sword unsheathed, and figures such as these kneeling at his feet (p. 35-36).

Sebagai putera altar, dia selalu melihat gambar Santo Santiago Matamoros di atas kuda putihnya, dengan pedang terhunus, dan orang-orang seperti itu berlutut di bawah kakinya (p. 39).

Method of Translation : Adaptation and Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : Translator translated 'a child in church' as 'putera altar’ in Indonesian Catholicism practices context, referring to ‘kids (both male and female) involved on ritual services’. Another possible, more literal, meaning is ‘seorang anak di dalam gereja’. This case particulary tried to apply Suryawinata’s principle on flexibility; and Duff’s “meaning” (Duff, 1992; Suryawinata, as cited in Haryanti, 2006). But, Regarding the existence of article ‘a’ that refer to an object in a general context, not 'the' which suggests something specific, the exact meaning was actually ‘seorang anak di gereja’. In that meaning, which emphasized the presence of a child in church


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regularly as a guest, and that presence is a presence beyond the ritual, not as part of the service as an altar boy as alleged by the translator.

14)"I'll work all night, until dawn, and I'll clean every piece of crystal in your shop (p. 49).

“Aku akan bekerja sepanjang malam, sampai subuh, dan aku akan bersihkan semua barangkristal di tokomu (p. 53).

Method of Translation : Adaptation and Contextual Conditioning

Procedure of Translation : The selection of the word 'subuh', instead of 'fajar' or ‘dini hari’ as the equivalent for the word 'dawn' was realistic, in accordance with the setting of the story: Tangier, a Muslim region in Africa, which recognize the concept of praying five times, with 'subuh' as one of them. Indonesian will easily understand this one, for its Moslems population as the majority.

d. Interaction

15) "And that's when you always appear on the scene? (p. 24)"

“Itukah sebabnya Bapak selalu muncul di saat-saat yang tak terduga? (p. 27)”


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No. Sentence Sub-Category of

Culture

Translatio n Method

Suggested Revision (if needed)

Eh, kalau kamu bisa baca, kenapa cuma jadi gembala? (Part One, p. 8)”

3. The boy's name was Santiago (Part One, p. 3).

Nama Bocah Itu Santiago (Part One, p. 5).

4. "Rather than finding a saintly man, though, our hero, on entering the main room of the castle, saw a hive of activity: tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and there was a table covered with platters of the most delicious food in that part of the world … (Part Two, p. 32)” “Tanpa mencari orang bijak itu dulu, pahlawan kita langsung saja memasuki ruang utama istana itu, melihat macam-macam kegiatan: para pedagang datang dan pergi, orang-orang berbincang di sudut-sudut, orkestra kecil memainkan musik yang lembut, dan ada sebuah meja yang dipenuhi piring-piring makanan terlezat yang ada di belahan dunia tersebut … (p. 35)”

5. "A practice of infidels," he said to himself (p. 35).


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No. Sentence Sub-Category of

Culture

Translatio n Method

Suggested Revision (if needed)

Sembahyang orang kafir,” gumamnya (p. 39).

6. He had heard people speak of mirages, and had already seen some himself: they were desires that, because of their intensity, materialized over the sands of the desert (p. 105).

Dia sudah mendengar orang-orang yang berbicara tentang fatamorgana, dan dia sendiri pernah melihatnya: ia adalah hasrat yang, karena kekentalannya,

mewujud di atas pasir gurun (p. 111). 7. Camels are traitorous: they walk

thousands of paces and never seem to tire (p. 122).

Onta itu khianat: mereka berjalan ribuan langkah dan tak pernah kelihatan lelah (p. 128).

8. He was at home with the silence of the desert, and he was content just to look at the trees (p. 89).

Dia betah dengan kesunyian gurun, puas hanya dengan melihat pohon-pohon itu (p. 95).

9. “… I've already imagined a thousand times crossing the desert, arriving at the Plaza of the Sacred Stone, the seven times I walk around it before allowing


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No. Sentence Sub-Category of

Culture

Translatio n Method

Suggested Revision (if needed)

myself to touch it … (p. 57)”

“… Sudah ribuan kali kubayangkan diriku melewati gurun pasir, tiba di Kabah, mengitarinya tujuh kali sebelum aku menyentuhnya … (p. 62)”

10. Suddenly, the elder at the center smiled

almost imperceptibly, and the boy felt

better (p. 111).

Tiba-tiba, ketua yang duduk di tengah

tersenyum sekilas, dan si bocah merasa

lebih tenang (p.118).

References

Coelho, Paulo. (1995). The Alchemist (Alan R. Clarke, Trans.). San Francisco: Harper Collin Publishers.

____________. (2004). The Alchemist (Hamid Basyaib and Yunita, Trans.). Jakarta: Pustaka Alvabet.


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Appendix I

Assessment on Student’s Worksheet

Part of Task

Criteria

Score

Number of

Questions

Part A

Correct

answer

Wrong

answer or no

answer

1

0

10

Part B

Correct

answer and

suggestion

(if any)

Inappropriate

suggestion

Wrong

answer and

suggestion

2

1

0

10

Total

m0


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vii ABSTRACT

Rintardo, Alfonsus Rinardi. (2011). Translation Methods and Procedures of Cultural Issues in Literary Translation: A Case Study in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University.

This research analyzes the translation methods and procedures used in translating English version of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist into its Indonesian version, especially dealing with cultural issues found among words, phrases, or clauses within sentences.

The formulated problems are: 1) what are the translation methods and procedures used in the translated Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and the styles of translation from the application of those methods and procedures?, 2) what is its type of text reliability? 3) what are the weakness(es) and the strength(s) of the translated The Alchemist?

To answer the problems, the researcher conducted qualitative research on content analysis. There are two sources of the research, namely primary source and secondary source. The primary source is taken from the two versions of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, while the secondary sources consist of theories of translation, theory of culture, and the review on work’s context.

The findings of the research are: 1) the translation methods used are ‘pure’ and ‘combination’ categories of form change, modulation, adaptation, and contextual conditioning, 2) the styles of translation used are: metaphor, metonymy, zeugma, periphrasis, allusion, and allegory, 3) all in all, the translations tend to pursue fluency type of text reliability, but some in cases the so called foreignism and literalism still appear. 4) despite its accuracy and naturalness, especially in using the terms or concepts dealing with spirituality and figurative language, there are more than 25% cases (of samples provided) involving weaknesses on foreignism and literalism (including misinterpretation of meaning, inconsistency use of certain word, inappropriate or ambiguous diction, and inappropriate form.

It is suggested that the future researchers may further explore the possible studies for more detailed analysis on readability measurement of selected terms / expressions, grammatical changes of sentences, symbols which appear in the story, or characterization of the story. As for the lecturer, it is recommended that this research be used to teach Translation I class.

Keywords: translation, literary translation, culture, method and procedure, case study, style


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viii

ABSTRAK

Rintardo, Alfonsus Rinardi. (2011). Translation Methods and Procedures of Cultural Issues in Literary Translation: A Case Study in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Sanata Dharma.

Skripsi ini mengkaji tentang metode dan prosedur penerjemahan yang digunakan dalam novel The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho versi bahasa Inggris ke dalam versi bahasa Indonesia , terutama mengenai hal-hal yang bersifat kultural yang ditemukan pada kata, frasa, maupun klausa dalam kalimat.

Permasalahan yang muncul dalam penelitian ini adalah: 1) apa sajakah metode dan prosedur terjemahan yang digunakan dalam versi terjemahan The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho dan gaya dalam penerjemahan yang muncul dari penerapan metode dan prosedur tersebut?, 2) apakah tipe text reliability dari karya terjemahan tersebut?, 3) apa sajakah keunggulan dan kelemahan karya terjemahan The Alchemist tersebut?

Peneliti menggunakan penelitian kualitatif berupa analisis konten untuk menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan tersebut. Ada dua sumber yang digunakan dalam studi ini, yakni sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama diambil dari dua versi novel The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho, sedangkan sumber kedua meliputi teori-teori penerjemahan, teori budaya, serta konteks karya.

Hasil penelitian dari penelitian ini adalah: 1) kategori metode penerjemahan yang diterapkan merupakan variasi antara metode ‘murni’ serta ‘kombinasi’ antar metode: form change, modulation, adaptation dan contextual conditioning, 2) adapun gaya penerjemahan yang muncul dari penerapan prosedur tersebut adalah: metaphor, metonymy, zeugma, periphrasis, allusion dan allegory, 3) secara garis besar, text reliability dari karya terjemahan ini sendiri cenderung mengarah ke fluency, namun sayangnya masih menyisakan literalism dan foreignism pada beberapa kasus yang muncul, 4) meski memiliki akurasi dan penggunaan bahasa yang natural, terutama berkaitan dengan penggunaan istilah atau konsep yang berhubungan dengan spiritualitas dan bahasa figuratif, terjemahan ini memunculkan lebih dari 25% kasus, dari keseluruhan sampel, yang berkaitan dengan kelemahan dalam hal foreignism dan literalism (termasuk kesalahan interpretasi makna, inkosistensi dalam penggunaan kata tertentu, pilihan kata yang kurang tepat atau ambigu, serta bentuk yang kurang sesuai).

Para peneliti selanjutnya disarankan untuk lebih lanjut mengeksplorasi studi untuk analisis yang lebih rinci pada pengukuran tingkat keterbacaan istilah / ekspresi tertentu, perubahan gramatikal dalam kalimat, simbol-simbol yang muncul dalam cerita, atau penokohan dalam cerita. Bagi dosen, penelitian ini disarankan untuk digunakan dalam mengajar kelas Translation I.

Kata-kata kunci: terjemahan, terjemahan sastra, budaya, metode dan prosedur, studi kasus, gaya bahasa