Literal Idioms Categories of Idioms
42 idioms because using an idiom of similar meaning and form can only occasionally
be achieved Baker, 2011.
Excerpt [12]
There are seven idioms which are translated using idioms of similar
meaning and form. One example of idioms which is translated using this strategy
is
forever in your debt
as shown in Excerpt [12]
.
This idiom is translated into
selamanya dalam hutang budi kalian
.
Table 4.4 Form and Meaning: Similar Meaning and Form
SL Idiom TL Idiom
Idiom
forever in your debt selamanya dalam hutang
budi kalian
Form idiomatic expression
idiomatic expression similar lexical items
Meaning to express gratitude
to express gratitude Referring to Table 4.4, the SL idiom yields the same meaning with the
translation in TL. The translation of the SL idiom is an idiom in the TL. Both SL and TL idioms mean to feel grateful to somebody for their help and kindness. The
lexical items of both idioms are similar.
Forever
means
selamanya
,
in
means
dalam
,
your debt
means
hutang budi kalian
. This similarity in lexical items does not make the translation less accurate or less natural. The translation still
maintains the meaning of its SL idiom and is easily understood. This idiom appeared when Jules and her interns were in a pub. Jules told her interns that she
was so grateful because of what they had done. Jules asked her interns to steal her
English Subtitles Indonesian Subtitles
01:17:27,945 01:17:37,320
I am gonna go. But I am forever in your debt, gentlemen. Another word
which is never used anymore.
01:17:28,023 01:17:34,829
Aku akan pergi. Tapi aku selamanya dalam hutang budi kalian, bapak-
bapak. A107
43 mother‟s computer because she accidentally sent a wrong message to her.
Luckily, Jules‟s interns were willing to do it and successful in accomplishing that mission.
Excerpt [13]
Another example of an idiom which is translated using an idiom of similar meaning and form is shown in Excerpt [13]. The idiom
a billion times
is translated into
milyaran kali
. Both source language and target language idioms represent the same meaning which is to do something many times. The words
billion
and
milyaran
indicate the exaggeration of something or hyperbole. This idiom was used by Jason when he had a conversation with Ben. Jason told Ben
that he had texted his crush for so many times but got no response. Jason emphasized how hard his effort to get his crush‟s attention by using this idiom.
A billion times
and
milyaran kali
also have similar form of lexical items. Even though the translation uses similar form of lexical items, it does not change any
information of the idiom. Therefore, the meaning is accurately transferred. Besides, it is naturally used in the target language.