INDONESIAN-ENGLISH TRANSLATION B2014012 2 SKS

HANDOUT

INDONESIAN-ENGLISH TRANSLATION

B2014012

2 SKS

Compiled by Dr. Rudi Hartono, S.S., M.Pd.

PROGRAM STUDI PENDIDIKAN BAHASA INGGRIS FAKULTAS BAHASA DAN SENI UNIVERSITAS NEGERI SEMARANG

TAHUN 2017

PREFACE

In the name of Alloh the Beneficent and the Merciful. The Alloh’s Blessing may be upon the Prophet Muhammad Peace be up to him. Thank God this handout has been finished to write and introduce to all users, lecturers and students.

This work is designed to fulfill the Indonesian-English Translation subject demand for lecturing activities and one of learning resources for students to study. It has 16 chapters that are divided into 7 chapters (Chapter 1-7) given before the Midterm Test (Chapter 8) and 7 chapters (Chapter 9-15) preceded before the Final Test.

This handout consists of theoretical foundations of translation studies, such as Translation Methods, Techniques, linguistic and stylistic problems of translation and Procedure and translation exercises and practices, for examples, translating and analysing various texts (narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository) from Indonesian into English.

In the last part some questions are provided for students to answer and listed some references for them to check and look up in some resources.

May this handout be useful for lecturers and students of Indonesian-English Translation.

Semarang, February 10, 2017

The Writer

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION

Acquiring the theories and techniques in translation of various

Graduate Learning Outcome

texts from Indonesian into English. Students acquire the knowledge of translation, have good

Subject Learning Outcome

attitudes, behaviors, and habits and are skillful in translating texts from Indonesian into English. The course is designed to provide students with basic theory and practice of translation from Indonesian into English. The theory covers the definitions of translation, types of

Subject Description

translations, translations methods, translation procedures, translation techniques, and translation problems linguistically and stylistically and the practice tends to translate narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository texts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 CHAPTER I Definitions of Translation

4 CHAPTER II Types of Translation: Pragmatic, Linguistic, Ethnographic,

Aesthetic-Poetic, etc.

CHAPTER III Translating Narrative Texts

15 CHAPTER IV Translating Descriptive Texts

21 CHAPTER V Translating Argumentative Texts

30 CHAPTER VI Translating Expository Texts

35 CHAPTER VII Translation Methods: Word-For-Word, Literal, Semantic, Faithful,

Adaptation, Free, Idiomatic, and Communicative

45 CHAPTER IX Translating Various Texts Based on the Translation Methods

CHAPTER VIII Midterm Test

50 CHAPTER X Analyzing Translation Products Based on the Translation Methods

55 CHAPTER XI Translation Techniques and Procedures

60 CHAPTER XII Translating Texts Based on The Translation Techniques and

Translation Procedures

CHAPTER XIII Analyzing Translation Products Based on the Translation

Techniques and Translation Procedures

CHAPTER XIV Common Problems of Translation

72 CHAPTER XV Linguistic And Stylistic Problems In Translation

83 CHAPTER XVI Final Test

87 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS (Test Items)

92 REFERENCES

CHAPTER I Definitions of Translation

A. Short Description

This chapter intoduces some definitions of translation from many experts of translation or translation theorists.

B. Subject Learning Outcome

After studying and learning this chapter, coginitively students are able to know, recognize, and understand many definitions of translation, affectively they can feel that these definitions of translation are important to know and understand, and psychomotorically they can translate and analyse a text based on the flow of translation definitions.

C. Lesson Material

 According to Brislin (1976: 1) translation is a general term referring to the transfer of thoughts and ideas from one language to another, whether the language is in written or oral form, whether the languages have established orthographies or not; or whether one or both languages is based on signs, as with signs of the deaf.

 Another expert, Wilss (1982: 3), states that translation is a transfer process which aims at the transformation of a written source language text (SLT) into an optimally equivalent target language text (TLT), and which requires the syntactic, the semantic, and the pragmatic understanding and analytical processing of the source text. Syntactic understanding is related to style and meaning. Understanding of semantics is meaning related activity. Finally, pragmatic understanding is related to the message or implication of

a sentence. This definition does not states what is transferred. Rather, it states the requirement of the process.

 Nida and Taber (1982: 12) see translating as a process of 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. In other words, translation is a transfer of meaning, message, and style from one SLT to the TLT. In the order of priority, style is put the last. Here the things to reproduce (transfer) is stated, message.

 Newmark (1991: 27) defines the act of translating very briefly. It is the act of transferring meaning of a stretch or a unit of language, the whole or a part, from one language to another. (The discussion on meaning can be seen at sub-point F. Meaning, Message, and Style.)

Taken from http://transbahasa.wordpress.com in http://jhonfreedom.blogspot.co.id/2011/09/definitions-of-translation-from-experts.html

 According to Manser (1996:441), translation is the activity of changing something spoken or written into another language. It means that whatever we are doing with something (e.g. information, idea), when changed into another language is called translation. Next we will see some other definitions stated by some linguists. Nida and Taber (1974 : 12) state that translating consists of reproducing in the receptor language (RL) the closest natural equivalent of the source language (SL) message, first in terms of meaning, and secondly in terms of style. Here, we know that in reproducing the message there is a good relationship between RL and SL that should be equivalent. Catford (1965:1) defines that translation is an operation performed on languages: a process of substituting a text in one language for a text in another. The writer assumes that all of the activities of transferring a text from one language to another are called translation. Larson (1984:1) states that translation consists of studying the lexicon, grammatical structure, communication situation, and cultural context of the SL text, analyzing it in order to determine its meaning, then reconstructing

the same meaning using the lexicon and grammatical structure which appropriate in the RL and its cultural context. Larson also says that translation has three steps; they are studying the source text, analyzing it and reconstructing the meaning. Newmark (1988:28) says that translation is rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text. In short, the meaning of a text should be the same with the author’s aim when it is translated. Yusuf (1994 :8) says that “terjemahan dapat diartikan sebagai semua kegiatan manusia dalam mengalihkan seperangkat informasi atau pesan baik verbal maupun non- verbal- dari informasi asal atau informasi sumber ke dalam informasi sasaran” (translation can be defined as all of human activities in transferring information or message-verbal or non-verbal- from original information into target information). It means that when we transfer information from one source to another then we do translation.

Taken from http://khuzainullah.blogspot.co.id/2014/10/definition-of-translation_40.html

 Please also see http://olc.bu.edu.eg/olc/images/fart/425.pdf

D. Summary

Every expert gives opinions about definitions of translation. All of them principally say that translation is rendering one text to another, from one language to another one, in the form of style and meaning.

E. Questions/Discussion

Please state your own definition of translation in Bahasa and translate it into English.

CHAPTER II Types of Translation

A. Short Description

This chapter intoduces some types of translation from many experts of translation or translation theorists.

B. Subject Learning Outcome

After studying and learning this chapter, coginitively students are able to know, recognize, and understand many types of translation, affectively they can feel that these types of translation are important to know and understand, and psychomotorically they can analyse a text based on the types of translation.

C. Lesson Material

 The other kinds of translation or translation approach important to review are the ones related to the concept of dynamic translation, semantic translation, communicative translation, and artistic translation.

 Dynamic translation tries to transfer the messages or ideas into a target language and to evoke in the target language readers the responses that are substantially equivalent to those experienced by the source text readers (Nida and Taber, 1982 :28). A definition of dynamic translation centers on the concept of dynamic equivalence, that is the closest natural equivalence to the source language message. Hohulin (1982: 15) notices that the definition of dynamic translation contains three essential terms: (a) equivalent, which points toward the source language message, (b) natural, which points toward the receptor language, and (3) closest, which binds the two orientations together on the basis of the highest degree of approximation. Dynamic equivalence approach can be used in the level of  Dynamic translation tries to transfer the messages or ideas into a target language and to evoke in the target language readers the responses that are substantially equivalent to those experienced by the source text readers (Nida and Taber, 1982 :28). A definition of dynamic translation centers on the concept of dynamic equivalence, that is the closest natural equivalence to the source language message. Hohulin (1982: 15) notices that the definition of dynamic translation contains three essential terms: (a) equivalent, which points toward the source language message, (b) natural, which points toward the receptor language, and (3) closest, which binds the two orientations together on the basis of the highest degree of approximation. Dynamic equivalence approach can be used in the level of

 Similar to the above concept is the idiomatic translation developed by Beekman and Callow (in Gutt, 1991: 68). It resembles the dynamic equivalence approach in the sense that it rejects the form-oriented translation and emphasizes that a translation should convey the meaning of the original. A translation, according to this approach, should be faithful to the ‘dynamics’ of the original, or the SL’s ‘naturalness’ of language use and ease of comprehension.

 The idea of dynamic translation was first proposed by Nida and Taber and the semantic and communicative translation was by Newmark. He even states that the concepts represent his main contribution to general theory of translation (Newmark, 1991: 10). It seems to be a reaction to the concepts of formal and dynamic equivalence, literal and free translation. In the above dichotomy, the first “pole” of the dichotomy (formal equivalence and literal translation) seems to be condemned for being not be able to transfer the message. Semantic and communicative translation seem to be in the middle of the two poles formal and dynamic translation. (Here formal translation is understood as translation that pursues the formal equivalence and dynamic translation is the one that seeks for the dynamic equivalence. Discussion on the issue of equivalence can be seen in the next sub-point.)

 Semantic translation emphasizes the “loyalty” to the original text. It is more semantic and syntactic oriented and, therefore, also author-centered. On the other hand, communicative translation emphasizes the loyalty to the “readers” and more reader-centered. The two concepts are not to be contrasted with literal word-for-word translation which is criticized in the concept of formal translation and literal translation. He sees it as a translation procedure. He states that literal word-for-word translation is not only the best in both communicative and semantic translation, but it is the  Semantic translation emphasizes the “loyalty” to the original text. It is more semantic and syntactic oriented and, therefore, also author-centered. On the other hand, communicative translation emphasizes the loyalty to the “readers” and more reader-centered. The two concepts are not to be contrasted with literal word-for-word translation which is criticized in the concept of formal translation and literal translation. He sees it as a translation procedure. He states that literal word-for-word translation is not only the best in both communicative and semantic translation, but it is the

Taken from http://jhonfreedom.blogspot.co.id/2011/09/definitions-of-translation-from-experts.html

This article intends to serve as a brief guide of sorts to some of the more common and basic of these recently coined expressions. Here are just some of them:

General Translation: The simplest of translation types, a general translation allows a translator quite a lot of leeway because its source material mostly uses layman terms and ordinary, everyday speech. There's no need to understand special terminologies, and most translation work fall into this particular type.

Legal Translation: As one of the more complex and complicated professional translation types out there, legal translation is best described as the translation of treaties, contracts, and many other legal documents. A translation service is responsible for both understanding politico-legal and socio-cultural context behind a legal text and translating it in such a way that a target audience with a different cultural/political/societal background could readily understand. Only a human translation agency that knows both source and target cultures could pull a decent legal translation job off. Nevertheless, even specialists like those tend to use professional legal assistance as well, because one simple slipup or mistranslation of a contract's passage could lead to disastrous consequences.

Commercial Translation: Just like its legal counterpart, a commercial translation or business translation (not to be confused with advertising translation) requires a translator to have specialist translation skills and business jargon knowledge in order to translate a business's every report, tender document, company account, and correspondence. There's a bit of overlap between commercial translation and legal translation as well, in the Commercial Translation: Just like its legal counterpart, a commercial translation or business translation (not to be confused with advertising translation) requires a translator to have specialist translation skills and business jargon knowledge in order to translate a business's every report, tender document, company account, and correspondence. There's a bit of overlap between commercial translation and legal translation as well, in the

Administrative Translation: "Administrative" can mean many things, but in the context of translation, it merely refers to translating managerial texts used in different corporations, businesses, and organizations. This translation type also overlaps with commercial translation, but only in the sense that the vast majority of administrative translation can be considered commercial translation as well, but not all commercial translation is administrative in nature.

Literary Translation: As its name suggests, literary translation refers to translation done for literature such as poems, plays, short stories, and novels. Just as general translation is the simplest form and legal translation is the most difficult form, many people in the industry consider literary translation

translation. The reason behind this is because literary translation goes beyond mere translation of context; a literary translator must be proficient in translating humor, cultural nuances, feelings, emotions, and other subtle elements of a given work. Conversely, there are those who allege that literary translation is impossible, as with the case of translating poetry.

Taken from https://www.onehourtranslation.com/translation/blog/types-translation

 Administrative Translation – This term refers to translation of administrative text – a very broad term. For translation, it refers to the common terms and texts used within businesses and organizations that they use in day-to-day management.

 Commercial Translation – Sometimes called business translation, commercial translation covers any sort of document used in the business world such as letters, company accounts, tender documents, annuals reports, etc. Oftentimes, commercial translations require specialist translators with knowledge of terminology used in the business world.

 Computer Assisted Translations – Individuals and businesses often turn to free translation tools offered online to translate phrases or documents. Behind the online translation tool, a software program analyses the text according to predefined linguistic rules and reconstructs the text in a different language according to the corresponding rules of the target language. They do not produce perfect copy of the submitted text in another language.

 A free translation service or online translation tool can never substitute a human translator and should only be used when you want to translate text written in a foreign language into your native language or a language you understand.

 Computer Translation – Refers to translations of anything to do with computers such as software, instructions and help files.  Financial Translation – For financial based industries, financial translation is the translation of text of a financial nature like banking, stocks, commodities, and investment funds.

 General Translation – General translations are less complicated and the language used is not high level (sometimes called layman’s terms). In general translation, there is no specific or technical terminology used. Although these are simpler, they typically are still not suitable for using a free translation tool.

 Legal Translation – Legal translations require highly trained translators as it involves the translation of legal documents such as statutes, contracts and treaties. Not only does the translator need expertise in the translating language, but also they need a legal understanding and an excellent understanding of both the source and target cultures.

 Literary Translation – A literary translation is the translation of novels, poems, and plays. A literary translator must be capable of also translating  Literary Translation – A literary translation is the translation of novels, poems, and plays. A literary translator must be capable of also translating

 Medical Translation – Medical translations are also highly complex and will involve translating medical packaging, textbooks, medical equipment manuals and drug labeling. Specialization is necessary.

Taken from https://verbatimsolutions.com/different-types-of-translation-defined/

 Translation: Pragmatic, Ethnographic, Aesthetic-poetic, and Linguistic

Translation

1. Pragmatic Translation is in which the SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but the lexical words are again translated singly, out of context.

2. Ethnographic Translation its purpose is to explicate the cultural context of the SL and TL versions. Translators have to be sensitive to the way words are used and must know how the word fits into cultures. Example: the use of the word ‘yes’ versus ‘yeah’ in America.

3. Aesthetic-poetic Translation

4. Linguistic Translation refers to the translation of a message with an interest in accuracy of the information that was meant to be conveyed in the SL form and it is not conveyed with other aspects of the original language version.

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Taken from http://annisawdyf.blogspot.co.id/2014/12/pragmatic-ethnographic-aesthetic-poetic.html

D. Summary

1) Types of Translation is divided based on the kinds or approaches: Dynamic translation, semantic translation, communicative translation, and artistic translation.

2) Types of translation is divided based on the services: General, legal, financial, medical, literary, computer, commercial, and administrative translation.

3) Types of translation is divided based on the functions: Pragmatic, Ethnographic, Aesthetic-poetic, and Linguistic Translation.

E. Questions/Discussion

 Look for examples of translation in your surroundings taken from internet,

magazines, newspapers, books, or else based on the types of translation discussed above.

CHAPTER III Translating Narrative Texts

A. Short Description

This chapter discusses how to translate narrative texts from Indonesian into English.

B. Subject Learning Outcome

After studying and learning this chapter, coginitively students can know, recognize, and understand how to translate narrative texts, affectively they can acknowledge that translating narrative texts is important for their life, and psychomotorically they can translate a text based on the types of translation.

C. Lesson Material

How to Translate Literary Works

Literary translation is an art involving the transposing and interpreting of creative works such as novels, short prose, poetry, drama, comic strips, and film scripts from one language and culture into another. It can also involve intellectual and academic works like psychology publications, philosophy and physics papers, art and literary criticism, and works of classical and ancient literature. Without literary translation, human thought and art would be devoid of the souls of great minds and books, spanning The Bible to Don Quixote to Freud and Einstein to Naguib Mahfouz and Orhan Pamuk. If translating literature and academia interests you, learning how to translate can be incredibly rewarding.

Steps:

1. Become an avid and intimate reader in each of your languages.

Translating creative works requires the ability to read between the lines. You have to love reading in the genre(s) you're translating and be both Translating creative works requires the ability to read between the lines. You have to love reading in the genre(s) you're translating and be both

have to read as many published (and unpublished) prose poems as possible, in Dutch and in English. This will help you to grasp the styles, the subtleties, the contexts, and soul of prose poetry in order to deconstruct the Dutch and reconstruct the English.

 Remember to keep on top of your languages. Language is a fluid entity that constantly changes and evolves. Dialects change, semantics

change, new words are coined, old words die and are reborn.

2. Master your writing skills in your mother tongue. Most literary translators, with very few exceptions, translate exclusively into their mother tongue, the language within best they express themselves and are most at home in. To translate a book, you have to write a book; to translate a play, you need to know how to write a play. The only way you can do this is write as much as possible in your language and continuously hone that skill. Most published translators are also published writers.

A rare exception to the rule was Israel's Leah Goldberg (1911 - 1970). She was European raised and educated, yet translated exclusively into Modern Hebrew, her third language, from six other languages. She however adopted Hebrew as her home and vehicle of expression and was a prolific writer exclusively in Hebrew as well.

3. Get an education. Academic institutions worldwide are one of the strongest sources and supporters of literary and academic translation. Consider getting at least one degree in comparative literature, linguistics, languages, or translation to give you a head start. Literary translation specifically is often offered through creative writing programs. Receiving academic training will also give you access to literary lectures, mentor ships with 3. Get an education. Academic institutions worldwide are one of the strongest sources and supporters of literary and academic translation. Consider getting at least one degree in comparative literature, linguistics, languages, or translation to give you a head start. Literary translation specifically is often offered through creative writing programs. Receiving academic training will also give you access to literary lectures, mentor ships with

Check out your local book shops and libraries on what is published on the subject and read, read, read. (See Tips below for more information.)

4. Research the writer and work you are translating. A writer's work is a piece of him/herself. In order to interpret what you're reading, you have to know everything about the person behind the words. Ask yourself: When and where was the work written? Where was the writer from? What surrounded the writer at the time the work was written? Does the work draw references from other literary pieces? What else has the writer written? And so forth.

5. Know the risks behind what you're translating. The translation of a particular work can cost both the writer and translator their lives depending on the statement of the work. The translation of books has sparked revolutions and wars. Know your audience.

6. Remember that no translation is perfect. The minute you begin to render your first sentence, the original is already lost in translation. It is your job not to find an equivalent but rather reconstruct the original as though it was written in the target language. Cultural concepts, shades of colour, shades of meaning, and even history can and will be lost. Don't be afraid of that but instead embrace it. You can always use footnotes / end notes if necessary. Who is your audience?

Proofread the translated finished parts one by one before the general read and review at the end. You might find a better word or an expression in the same language that gets the exact meaning of the other. Do not over process, but check to see where can you install your enhancements.

7. Find a publisher. Literary translations are largely contracted through publishing

them, provide writing/translation samples, and negotiate. 

houses. Approach them, research

Some countries offer grants through federal arts/culture councils allocated specifically for translating literary works. Check out what's available to you and weigh your options.

8. Join a professional translation organization. Whether you live in Canada, Chile, Cameroon, or China, there are professional organizations for translators as well as organizations for literary translation. Joining an organization is important for your professionalism, it enables you to network, and it opens your doors to professional training opportunities and translation prizes.

9. Practice constantly. Find yourself a comfortable place and translate for at least fifteen minutes a day. You can only get better by working hard and maintaining a regular schedule. After a while, you will be amazed at how much work you have accumulated.

Taken from http://www.wikihow.com/Translate-Literary-Works

D. Summary

There are nine steps of translating a narrative text (story) or literary work:

1) Become an avid and intimate reader in each of your languages.

2) Master your writing skills in your mother tongue.

3) Get an education.

4) Research the writer and work you are translating.

5) Know the risks behind what you're translating.

6) Remember that no translation is perfect.

7) Find a publisher.

8) Join a professional translation organization.

9) Practice constantly.

E. Questions/Discussion Please translate the following Indonesian narrative text into English.

Kejujuran Pengemis Tua

Pengemis tua berjalan menyusuri jalan. Tiba-tiba matanya tertuju pada sebuah benda. Ya! Ada sebuah tas kulit tergeletak di pinggir jalan. Pengemis itu membuka tas tersebut. Betapa terkejutnya ia, sebab rupanya tas itu berisi uang yang sangat banyak, yakni seratus dinar.

"Aku harus mengembalikan tas ini kepada pemiliknya. Kasihan sekali pemilik tas ini. Ia pasti membutuhkan uang ini," ucap pengemis tua. Pengemis tua pun melewati pasar. Di sana ada seorang lelaki yang terlihat kaya sedang memberikan pengumuman terkait tasnya yang hilang. Lelaki kaya itu berjanji akan memberikan hadiah yang besar kepada siapa saja yang menemukan tas miliknya. Rupanya tas yang dimaksud sangat mirip dengan tas yang ditemukan oleh si pengemis tua. Mendengar hal itu, pengemis tua sangat senang. Ia pun langsung menghampiri lelaki kaya tersebut. "Apakah tas ini yang kau maksud? Aku menemukannya di ujung jalan tak jauh dari sini," kata pengemis tua.

"Ya, benar sekali! Ini tasku." ucap lelaki itu, girang. Ia segera memeriksa isi tasnya. Uangnya rupanya masih tetap utuh. Namun, ia memiliki niat licik kepada si pengemis.

"Ini memang tasku, tetapi kenapa uangku berkurang seratus dinar? Harusnya di tas ini ada uang dua ratus dinar." seru si lelaki kaya, pura-pura marah.

"Sungguh aku tak mengambil sedikit pun uang di tas itu. Meskipun aku seorang pengemis, tapi pantang bagiku untuk mengambil milik orang lain," ucap si pengemis. Namun, si lelaki kaya tetap mempermasalahkan hal itu dan kemudian membawa si pengemis ke pengadilan.

Sesampainya di pengadilan, lelaki kaya pun menceritakan masalahnya. Hakim lalu berpikir sejenak. "Baiklah, sekarang aku ingin bertanya," ujar hakim kepada si lelaki kaya. "Kau bilang uang tasmu ada dua ratus dinar. Benar?"

"Ya, benar," ucap si lelaki kaya, mantap. "Berarti tas ini bukan milikmu, sebab tas ini hanya berisi seratus dinar," ucap hakim Si lelaki kaya terperangah. Ia tidak mampu menyangkal pernyataan hakim, sebab bagaimanapun ia telah berbohong. Kemudian ia pun mengakui perbuatannya. Ia meminta maaf kepada hakim, lalu memberikan hadiah kepada si pengemis tua.

Pesan Moral Dari Cerita Rakyat Dari Jawa : Kejujuran Pengemis Tua adalah Sepandai apa pun menyembunyikan kebohongan, cepat atau lambat pasti akan terbongkar juga.

Taken from http://dongengceritarakyat.com/fabel-cerita-rakyat-dari-jawa-terpopuler/

CHAPTER IV Translating Descriptive Texts

A. Short Description

This chapter discusses how to translate descriptive texts from Indonesian into English.

B. Subject Learning Outcome

After studying and learning this chapter, coginitively students are able to know, recognize, and understand how to translate descriptive texts, affectively they can acknowledge that translating descriptive texts is important for their life, and psychomotorically they can translate a text based on the types of translation.

C. Lesson Material

What is a Descriptive Text?

Definition

A descriptive text is a text which lists the characteristics of something.

Features

The topic is usually about the attributes of a thing.

Third person pronoun forms are used.

Examples (English)

Requirements for employment  The appearance of a person 

The details of a location

In descriptive writing, the author does not tell the reader what was seen, felt, tested, smelled, or heard. Rather, he describes something that he experienced and, through his choice of words, makes it seem real. In other words, descriptive writing is vivid, colorful, and detailed.

Descriptive writing creates an impression in the reader’s mind of an event, a place, a person, or thing. The writing will be such that it will set a mood or describe something in such detail that if the reader saw it, they would recognize it. Descriptive writing will bring words to life and makes the text interesting.

Some examples of descriptive text include:  The sunset filled the entire sky with the deep color of rubies, setting the clouds ablaze.  The waves crashed and danced along the shore, moving up and down in a graceful and gentle rhythm like they were dancing.  The painting was a field of flowers, with deep and rich blues and yellows atop vibrant green stems that seemed to beckon you to reach right in and pick them.

 The old man was stooped and bent, his back making the shape of a C and his head bent so far forward that his beard would nearly have touched his

knobby knees had he been just a bit taller.  His deep and soulful blue eyes were like the color of the ocean on the clearest day you can ever imagine.  The soft fur of the dog felt like silk against my skin and her black coloring glistened as it absorbed the sunlight, reflecting it back as a perfect, deep, dark mirror.

Taken from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/descriptive-text- examples.html#cMdYUMyk7MyEHKE7.99

Tips for Translators

1. Make sure you revise the document(s) and the files before starting a translation. Understand any instructions that come with the job: they show you the way in which the translation must be approached. You do not call a plumber to fix a flood and leave your house without a shower. Ensure that all the files and documents the client needs are the ones you have received.

2. Make sure that you are comfortable with the subject matter and language style and confirm this to the Translation Project Manager. Whilst you may take on translations in fields in which you are not an expert for the sake of expanding your business, it will take you more time to master the terminology and you will have to invest time in doing so. There is nothing wrong with it, but be aware that your own quality checking and revision become even more important. Sadly, there may be some subjects for which you are simply not qualified or you are not good at. It is OK. Professional translators specialize in a few subjects and, in time, they become so good at them that they hardly take on anything outside their sphere or expertise.

3. Make sure you are familiar with the file format. If you are working for a translation company, the files will come quite probably in a translation- friendly format and with a translation memory . Do not change the CAT tool your client has specified. There is no worse feeling for Translation Project Managers than receiving a file whose contents they have to rework because of bad formatting. You may have saved some money using a tool that promises full compatibility with this and that format, but if you have not tried it yourself and the original format is heavily formatted, you end up risking Project Manager’s good time and risking a relationship. They will have to reconstruct the whole file and no matter how good your translation was, wasted time can never be recovered. You risk losing a client.

4. Use any reference material, style guides, glossaries and terminology databases. Never ignore any glossary that has been sent to you. If the

client has created a database, use it. If it is a simple excel file, you know all tools can import this format into a CAT tool and CSV (Comma-Separated Values) can create a glossary file in seconds. It is essential that you are consistent in terminology and style with previous work. Quite often, you will not be the first translator involved in a publication process. One-time translation buyers are few and far between and if you want to succeed in business as a translator, you want regular, paying clients and recurrent income. It may be the first time you are translating a particular piece or set of files. It may be the first time you are translating for a particular client, but they surely have bought translation services before and they expect consistency in style and terminology.

5. Contact immediate your Translation Project Manager if you find any problems with the translation memory or the glossary. Previous translators may have not followed it or perhaps they had a bad day. If there are any quality issues with the material you have been provided with and you do not know whether to follow the translation memory or the glossary, contact the Translation Project Manager and let them know there is a problem with the source. If this is not possible, because of time constraints, follow what has been done before, even if your personal style and personal preferences are different. Take note in a separate file of any terminology issues and comments while you are working. You will not feel like doing that or going over the errors once you have finished the translation. Let the Translation Project Manager know what has happened. Remember, feedback is always appreciated and it helps to build quality and improvements in the process. You will score many points in front of your Translation Project Manager’s eyes and you will build a reputation for yourself as a serious, quality- conscientious translator.

6. Contact your Translation Project Manager or client immediately if you encounter or foresee any problems with the document, with the format, with the word count or with the delivery time.

7. Identify relevant reference sources on the Internet for the subject you are going to translate. If you are going to translate technical documentation for bicycles, find the brand’s website in your language. The manufacturer’s competitors are often a source of good terminology and style. If you are translating medical devices, you are sure to find some relevant material in related websites. Have all this ready before you begin to translate. It is called “background work”. And it pays, in the short and in the long run. It is like doing a reference check. Would you accept work from a client who you know nothing about? Don’t companies do a reference check on freelance translators and personnel they want to employ? So, have or other online resources specific to the topic you are translating at hand for easy reference. And, more importantly, become a researcher of the topics you specialize in as a freelancer. Prepare yourself for a day without internet when you have no connection to the online sources of information – yet you still have time to deliver.

8. When you have finished your translation, run your spellchecker and correct any misspellings and typos. Now is time to become your own editor and read over the document comparing it to the original. Read again without looking at the source text to make sure that it makes sense. Readers will not have access to your source material and, frankly speaking, they do not care the text was translated and how it was translated. They want to read natively in their language and you, the translator, are the bridge. Your version has to read as if it had been written originally in your language, free of literal translations and cumbersome expressions that are directly transferred and there are no errors.

9. Check your translation against the source for any missing text or formatting issues. Most CAT tools include QA features as standard within their software. Each tool offers different features, but they all are good at detecting untranslated segments, source same as target, and even missing or wrong numbers. If your CAT tool only offers basic checking procedures or you want to run more in-depth checks, my recommendation is to use XBench . You can even load translation memories and check their consistency, check formatting and coherence across files, missing translations and “suspect translations” where the different source segments have generated the same translation (perhaps an error accepting a translation memory match), or vice versa, when a single source file has generated multiple translations. Your clients will certainly appreciate this.

10. Do not be literal. Translation buyers and readers never appreciate translations that sounds “corseted”, a word-for-word carbon copy of a foreign language. It is no acceptable. Unless if you are translating technical material, expressions and twists seldom translate literally from one language to another. Technical material may include pharma translations, engineering, translations for the automotive sector, medical translations, software translation, patents, etc. Accuracy and precision are more appreciated than beauty in legal translations. Many examples and references may seem very relevant and clear to the original writer, but not to the target audience. Some years ago, British Prime Minister put Japanese translators on freeze mode when he announced on a visit to Japan that he was prepared to go “The Full Monty” on his economic policies. The film had not been released in Japan. Website translations, any type of books and literature, news and news clips, CVs, all require beauty of expression and flow that only come with a “neutral approach to translation”. You have to distance yourself from your work, edit and proof it from a critical point of view. You should always look at your translation as 10. Do not be literal. Translation buyers and readers never appreciate translations that sounds “corseted”, a word-for-word carbon copy of a foreign language. It is no acceptable. Unless if you are translating technical material, expressions and twists seldom translate literally from one language to another. Technical material may include pharma translations, engineering, translations for the automotive sector, medical translations, software translation, patents, etc. Accuracy and precision are more appreciated than beauty in legal translations. Many examples and references may seem very relevant and clear to the original writer, but not to the target audience. Some years ago, British Prime Minister put Japanese translators on freeze mode when he announced on a visit to Japan that he was prepared to go “The Full Monty” on his economic policies. The film had not been released in Japan. Website translations, any type of books and literature, news and news clips, CVs, all require beauty of expression and flow that only come with a “neutral approach to translation”. You have to distance yourself from your work, edit and proof it from a critical point of view. You should always look at your translation as

11. Be sure to run your spellchecker again. It will take a couple of minutes if everything is fine. A small typo may have been added during your revisions and it would destroy all the quality steps you have undertaken until now.

12. Remember to include any notes or comments for your client or for the editors about your translation with your file delivery. A blank delivery with your signature, or a “please find files attached” shows little interaction with your client. It may signal that if you do not have time to write two lines about the delivery of the project… well you probably did not have time to do any quality check at all. Thank the Translation Project Manager for work and look forward to the next one. If there are certainly no issues to talk about, say clearly the job went smoothly. Perhaps the translation memory was very good or in the absence of it, you felt very comfortable and enjoyed doing a translation in your field of expertise.

Taken from http://www.pangeanic.com/knowledge_center/12-tips-for-translators-provide-quality-translations/

D. Summary

Translating descriptive texts need tips of translation in order to produce a good translation products. Translators should not only have vocabularies and word repertoires but also master grammar, structure, and writing mechanism.

E. Questions/Discussion Please translate the following descriptive texts into English.

Text 1: Keindahan Alam Indonesia

Indonesia adalah Negara dengan kekayaan alam yang melimpah ruah dari Sabang hingga Merauke. Keindahan alam Indonesia memang dinilai tak ada yang mampu menandingi di negara manapun di dunia.

Hampir semua pesona alam terdapat di Indonesia mulai dari daratan hingga laut. Oleh sebab itu, tidak heran apabila banyak wisatawan asing yang rela datang jauh-jauh ke Indonesia untuk menikmati keindahan alam bumi pertiwi.

Selain keindahan alam yang disajikan ternyata di dalam keindahan tersebut terdapat banyak hal tersembunyi yang jarang diketahui seperti flora dan fauna yang sangat langka dan eksotis.

Alam Indonesia yang paling tersohor di mata dunia adalah keindahan pantainya yang terbentang dari barat hingga ke timur. Banyaknya pulau yang ada di Indonesia membuat kekayaan laut dan pantai semakin berwarna.

Selain pantai, keindahan dunia bawah laut juga menjadi incaran para wisatawan untuk masuk ke dalamnya dan ikut menikmati kehidupan bawah laut di Indonesia. Daerah yang memiliki keindahan pantai yang menakjubkan di Indonesia yang paling tersohor adalah Manado, Bali dan Raja Ampat.

Tidak hanya keindahan pantai, Indonesia juga merupakan negara dengan cangkupan hutan terbesar di Dunia. Oleh karena itu Indonesia disebut sebagai paru-p aru dunia sebab ⅓ hutan di Dunia terdapat di Indonesia.

Keindahan hutan di Indonesia memang tak perlu diragukan lagi, sebab memang hijau hamparan pohon membuat mata seakan terhipnotis. Selain itu hewan dan tumbuhan endemik juga banyak yang menjadi buruan wisatawan yang hanya untuk berfoto untuk mengabadikan momen tersebut.

Taken from http://notepam.com/contoh-teks-deskripsi/

Text 2: Sekolahku

Sekolahku mempunyai lingkungan yang sangat bersih dengan halaman parkir dan lapangan upacara yang luas. Sekolahku mempunyai 3 gedung utama sebagai tempat pembelajaran siswa, yaitu Gedung A, B, dan C.

Lokasi sekolahku tepat berada di tengah-tengah sawah, sehingga membuat suasana sekolah tampak segar dan sejuk. Semua lantai kelas menggunakan keramik.

Sekolahku mempunyai aula yang besar yang biasanya digunakan untuk acara-acara seperti wisuda, nikah, olahraga, dan lainnya. Selain itu, sekolahku mempunyai ruang laboratorium komputer yang cukup banyak.

Warna merah dengan kombinasi abu-abu menjadi dominasi warna yang sangat mencolok di sekolahku, masjid dan kantin tidak lupa menambah lengkap keindahan sekolahku.

Text 3: Rumah Ahmad

Rumah Ahmad berada di depan rumahku, dimana di halaman rumahnya terdapat pohon rambutan yang membuat suasana terasa segar. Bunga-bunga menghiasi depan rumah Ahmad.

Dinding rumah Ahmad berwarna biru dengan pintu dan jendela yang berwarna hitam. Serta lantai keramik yang berwarna putih bersih membuat rumah rani sangat enak dipandang.

Di dalam rumah Ahmad posisi barang-barang sangat diperhatikan sehingga semua barang tertata rapi. Lantainya bersih serta harum ruangan nya memanjakan hidung.

Text 4: Blacky

Aku mempunyai kucing bernama Blacky, dia berwarna hitam pekat dengan mata yang sangat putih. Mempunyai ekor panjang dan bulu yang halus.