A translation analysis of taboo expressions in a film entitled “knocked up” and their indonesian subtitles

A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP” AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES

THESIS

Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Sarjana Sastra Degree from English Department Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts

Sebelas Maret University

By: CINDY PARAHITA C0304014 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

THE FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY

SURAKARTA 2010

A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP” AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES

By: Cindy Parahita C0304014

Approved to be examined before the Board of Examiners of English Department

Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University

Thesis Supervisor :

Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A. NIP 1971 0525 1998 601 2 001

Head of English Department

DR. Djatmika, M.A NIP 1967 0726 199302 1 001

A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP” AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES

By: Cindy Parahita C0304014

Approved to be examined before the Board of Examiners of English Department Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University On ,2010

Position

Signature Chairman

Name

Drs. Sugiyarto Budi Waskito, M.Pd

Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A.

NIP. 1967 0830 199302 1 001

First Examiner

Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A.

NIP. 1971 0525 199802 2 001

Second Examiner

DR. Djatmika, M.A.

NIP. 1967 0726 199302 1 001

Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University

Drs. Sudarno,M.A. NIP. 1953 0314 198506 1 001

PRONOUNCEMENT

Name : Cindy Parahita NIM : C0304014

Stated truthfully that the thesis entitled A Translation Analysis of Taboo Expressions in A Film Entitled “Knocked Up” and Their Indonesian Subtitles is originally written by the researcher. It is neither plagiarism, nor made by others. The things which do not belong to the researcher are written in quotation and included within bibliography. If it is then proved that the researcher cheats, the researcher is ready to take the responsibility.

Surakarta, February 2010 The Researcher,

Cindy Parahita

MOTTO

It doesn’t matter how many people say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it’s important to realize that whatever you’re

doing, it’s your first attempt at it. (Wally Amos)

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. (Theodore Roosevelt)

Positive attitudes create a chain reaction of positive thoughts. (Unknown)

There can be miracles, when you believe. (Whitney Houston)

DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated with gratitude to: My beloved father and mother My brother Cerry

Someone who always gives me attention and support

My beloved friends My future

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praises just for the Jesus Christ for the blessing and guidance in the whole part of my life. Finally, there is a miracle in my life that is I can finish this thesis. I realize that this journey will be much harder without encouragement and assistance from people around me. Therefore, I would like to thank all of them who give contribution to my thesis. I owe debt of gratitude to:

Drs. Sudarno,M.A, The Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, for approving this thesis, and DR. Djatmika, M.A., for giving me permission to conduct this thesis.

Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A., my thesis supervisor, for her guidance, support, care, and patience. Thank you for being like my mother. I apologize for my mistakes that I have ever made.

Dra. Rara Sugiarti, M. Tourism, my academic supervisor, for her support and advice, and all the lecturers who have taught me and provided me with valuable knowledge. My raters, Pak Heri, Pak Dion, and Pak Alief, who have helped me answer and given comment to the questionnaire.

My parents for the financial and mental support that you all gave me, I apologize that I always make you angry. I just want to make you happy and proud. My brother, for the computer and printer. You have also to finish your thesis as soon as possible.

My big family, for asking me to finish this thesis. Mbak Ika, thanks for your advice, support and attention. Mas Waween, my fiancé, for your love, attention, support, and faithfulness. Finally, I finish my thesis so we can reach our dreams together. Thanks for waiting for me patiently, and accompanying me for so long. Ibu, thanks for the patience and support and accepting me as your daughter.

My best friends, Natalia, Rina, Fida, Pungky, Yuli, Tatan, Devit, Dendy, Nanak, Bian, for accompanying me through all of this. We have experienced the good and bad time together. I love you all guys.

Chubby, Fata, Elin, Yunin, Fikri, Yunus, Rudy, Doni, Itok, Tantra, Fitra, Hilda, Inggrid, Agustin, Uus, Erna, Fika, Mas Agung, Mba Wulan, Gendon, Cupid, Arifin KMF, and my friends in English Department ’04 for the togetherness.

The rest, whom I cannot mention one by one, who always help me to finish this thesis, thank you very much.

ABSTRACT

2010. THESIS ENGLISH DEPATMENT, FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS, SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY, SURAKARTA.

This research focuses on the translation analysis of taboo expressions in the film “Knocked Up”. This study aims to find out the strategies employed by translator to translate taboo expressions, and the impacts of the strategy to the accuracy and the acceptability of taboo expressions translation. This is a descriptive-qualitative research. The source of data in this research is the dialogue of

a movie entitled “Knocked Up” and its Indonesian subtitle. The data in this research are taboo expressions in the dialogue of “Knocked Up” movie that consist of 227 data, its translation, and close and open-ended questionnaire. The result of the analysis on the translation strategies shows that there are eleven strategies used by the translator to translate taboo expressions in the movie “Knocked Up”, they are: translation using taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form (16 data or 7.1 %), translation using non taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form (3 data or 1.3 %), translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning but similar form (14 data or 6.2 %), translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form (2 data or 0.9 %), translation using non taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form (62 data or 27.3 %), translation by more general word (6 data or 2.6%), translation by omission (86 data or 37.9 %), translation by loan word plus explanation (1 data or 0.4 %), translation by swearing word (26 data or 11.5 %), translation by reduction (3 data or 1.3 %), translation using proper interjection (8 data or 3.5%). The translation strategy which is more frequently used by the translator to render taboo expressions in the movie ‘Knocked-Up” is translation by omission. There are 86 data or 37.9% of the whole data translated through this strategy. Meanwhile, translation by loan word plus explanation is the least frequently used strategy since there is only one datum (0.4%) from the overall data translated through this strategy. The analysis of the accuracy shows that there are 25 data (11%) considered to be very accurate translation, 106 data (46.7%) considered to be accurate translation, 87 data (38.3%) considered to be less accurate translation, and 9 data (4%) considered to be inaccurate translation. The strategy of translation using taboo expression with similar expressive meaning and form is the strategy which produces the translation with high level of accuracy (68.8%). Meanwhile, strategy of using non taboo expression with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form is the strategy which produces the translation with low level of accuracy (6.5%). The analysis on the acceptability of the translation shows that there are 182 data (80.2%) considered to be acceptable translation, and 45 data (19.8%) considered to be unacceptable translation. The strategies used by the translator which result in translations with high level of acceptability are translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning but similar form, translation using proper interjection, translation by reduction, and translation using taboo

and dissimilar form.

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Research Background

In many countries, language has an important role in the daily life. Language is a medium to communicate between someone with others. People often use language to express their feelings, ideas, and intentions. Nowadays, English is an important language which is considered as international language since many books, movies, and literary works are using English. Unfortunately, not all people in the world have the ability to understand English well. Translation is necessary to solve that problem.

In translating a text from the source language into the target language, a translator must pay attention to the accuracy, the acceptability, and the readability of the translation. Besides, the translator also has to pay attention to the cultural background of the target readers. Each society has its own cultural background. As language is one of the elements of culture, consequently, different cultural background is reflected in the usage of language in every society. “Even within a specific culture, words may be shocking to one individual and/or a particular group of people but words may not necessarily be so to others of a different background” (Asher, 1994:4513). Therefore, when translating a text, in a film for example, a In translating a text from the source language into the target language, a translator must pay attention to the accuracy, the acceptability, and the readability of the translation. Besides, the translator also has to pay attention to the cultural background of the target readers. Each society has its own cultural background. As language is one of the elements of culture, consequently, different cultural background is reflected in the usage of language in every society. “Even within a specific culture, words may be shocking to one individual and/or a particular group of people but words may not necessarily be so to others of a different background” (Asher, 1994:4513). Therefore, when translating a text, in a film for example, a

These premises must also be considered when a translator is translating taboo expressions. A taboo is a strong prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared sacred and forbidden. A taboo can be in the form of restriction of dietary food, sexual activities and relationship, the use of drugs, exposure of body parts, and the use of offensive language. A taboo can result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness. Even, when someone is labeled doing a taboo, she/he will be isolated by the society (www.wikipedia.org, retrieved on Monday, March 17, 2008).

All cultures have words that are taboo and the taboo words are restricted in use. However, the types taboo expressions and the sanctions diverse in one culture to another. In a certain place a word can be considered as taboo but in another place it is not. It is caused by the difference of cultural background. Thus, translating taboo can

be problematic for a translator, as exemplified below: “Oh shove it up your ass! Don’t try to live my life for me.” (ST) “Ah, sudahlah. Jangan coba-coba mengatur hidupku.” (TT) The above example shows that the translator has replaced the word shove it up

your ass into sudahlah. This makes the dialogue sound more familiar and polite for Indonesian readers.

The other example, Nigger is an acceptable term used to signify solidarity and show a shared common experience between two blacks within some American The other example, Nigger is an acceptable term used to signify solidarity and show a shared common experience between two blacks within some American

Based on the example above, the cultural context influences the existence of the taboo. Besides, a specific situational context lain within every cultural context, also influences whether a word is considered taboo or acceptable. Words can be culturally taboo, but situationally acceptable. Concerning the case of nigger, even though its use is, for some cultures, acceptable, certain situation align nigger more toward the taboo. For instance, nigger would be considered taboo if a five-year-old black boy referred to his best friend as his nigger. Likewise, a black teen using nigger to refer to his mother would be considered taboo. In both of these cases because of the specific situation and the speakers involved, nigger is taboo.

Based on all of these premises, the researcher is interested to conduct a study about taboo expressions and the source of this analysis is the movie entitled Knocked Up . The researcher chooses this movie because this movie contains a large number of taboo expressions.

B. Problem Statements

Considering the research background, the researcher proposes some problems formulated below:

1. What strategies are used to translate taboo expressions in the movie Knocked Up?

2. How is the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability in the movie Knocked Up?

C . Research Objectives

The objectives of this study are as follows:

1. To find out the kinds of translation strategies employed in translation of taboo expressions in Knocked Up movie.

2. To know the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability in the movie Knocked Up.

D. Research Limitation

Research Limitation is the one of the part in this research. To avoid deviations or the research amiss from the aim, therefore, the researcher makes limitations concerning the data and the analysis. In conducting the research, the researcher only analyzed taboo expressions found in the English dialogue in Knocked Up movie. The focus of analysis includes the translation strategies employed, and the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability.

E. Research Benefits

It is expected that the study will be beneficial for the followings:

1. Other Researchers It is expected that this research can add information in the field of translation especially when they want to carry out similar or further research about taboo expressions.

2. Translators Other movie translators, especially in translating movie, which contains taboo expressions, can use the result of this research.

3. Students It also aims to give knowledge about taboo expressions.

F. Research Methodology

The researcher applies the descriptive qualitative method. It means that the researcher tries to collect data, to analyze data, and to draw conclusion. In conducting the study, the researcher analyzes data taken from the English dialogue (source text) in Knocked Up movie and its Indonesian subtitle.

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW

A. The Definition of Translation

There are some definitions of translation and every expert has his own opinion about it. Newmark states: “Translation is a craft consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one language by the same message and/or statement in other language” (1976:7). The most important thing in translation is to keep the message and the content of the source text in the target text.

Sussan-McGuire Bassnett defines translation as: “What is generally understood as translation involves the rendering of a source language (SL) text into the target language (TL) so as to ensure that (1) the surface meaning of the two will

be approximately similar and (2) the structures of the SL will be preserved as closely as possible but not so closely that the TL structures will be seriously distorted” (1991:2). On the other hand, Richard W. Brislin emphasizes translation on the process of transferring the idea of the source language into the target language. “Translation is the general term referring to the transfers of thoughts and ideas from one language (source) to another (target), whether the languages are in written or oral form” (Brislin, 1976:1).

Nida and Taber define translation not only focus on the message or the idea of source language but also focus on the style of language. “Translation consist of Nida and Taber define translation not only focus on the message or the idea of source language but also focus on the style of language. “Translation consist of

From those statements above, it can be concluded that translation is the process of transferring ideas, thought, and message from the source language (SL) into the target language (TL), either in the written or spoken form considering the meaning, the form and the style of the translation.

B. Types of Translation

Many types of translation have been defined by some experts, but there are three types of translation that are commonly used by translator. They are:

1. Word-for-word Translation Nababan states: “Word-for-word translation is a type of translation that is basically bound with word unit. In translating a text, a translator need to find the equivalent word of the source text in the target text without changing the structure of the language, because the structure of the source text and the target text is already same (2003:30).

2. Free Translation Free translation is a type of translation that the translator does not need to find the equivalent word or sentence of the source text in the target text, however, this type of translation is bound with paragraph unit which means a translator 2. Free Translation Free translation is a type of translation that the translator does not need to find the equivalent word or sentence of the source text in the target text, however, this type of translation is bound with paragraph unit which means a translator

3. Literal Translation In his book, Teori Menerjemah Bahasa Inggris, Nababan (2003:32) said that literal translation is located between word-for-word translation and free translation. Literal translation is done just like word-for word translation but a translator must adapt her/his translation in the structure of the target text. Literal translation is used when the structure of the source text is different from the target text.

C. Meaning in Translation

Zgusta (in Baker, 1992:12) states, “every word (lexical unit) has something that is individual, that makes it different from any other words. And it is just the lexical meaning which is the most outstanding individual property of the word”. According to Cruse (in Baker, 1992), there are four main types of meaning in words and utterances: propositional meaning, expressive meaning, presupposed meaning, and evoked meaning. In connection with this research, elaborating the lexical meaning, especially expressive and propositional meaning, is relevant to taboo expression.

1. Propositional meaning Baker (1992:13) states, “The propositional meaning of a word or an utterance arises from the relation between it and what it refers to or describes 1. Propositional meaning Baker (1992:13) states, “The propositional meaning of a word or an utterance arises from the relation between it and what it refers to or describes

language to which the word or utterance belongs. It is this type of meaning which provides the basis on which we can judge an utterance as true or false”. For example: pencil in the dictionary refers to “instrument for drawing or writing with” (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English), and another example: native American refers to Indian.

2. Expressive meaning “Expressive meaning cannot be judged as true or false. This is because expressive meaning relates to the speaker’s feeling or attitude rather than to what words and utterances refer to” (Baker 1992:13). For instance, cock and penis are similar in propositional meaning but differ in expressive meaning in

a way that the emotive elements within cock are stronger than those of penis.

3. Presupposed meaning “Presupposed meaning arises from co-occurrence restrictions, i.e. restrictions on what other words or expressions we expect to see before or after a particular lexical unit” (Baker 1992:14). There are two types of restrictions, they are:

1. Selectional restrictions which are a function of the propositional meaning of a word. For example, we expect a human and male subject for the adjective handsome.

2. Collocational restrictions which are semantically arbitrary restrictions which do not follow logically from the propositional meaning of word.

For example, his work breaks the law in English, but in Indonesian apa yang dilakukannya melanggar (against) hukum.

4. Evoked meaning Baker (1992:15) states that “evoked meaning arises from dialect and register variation.” A dialect is a variety of language which has currency within a specific community or group of speakers. It may be classified into:

1. Geographical (the place where a particular dialect is used) For instance, in Britain, the phrase knock you up refers to wake someone up in the morning so they will not be late. Slightly different meaning for American, knock you up refers to impregnate, usually without intention (http://www.uta.fi)

2. Temporal (the time when the particular choice of language is used) The variants of fuck, for instance, fuken was used in Middle English, and fuk used in Early Modern English.

3. Social (the words and structures used by members of different social classes). For instance, the Bohemian class is free to use taboo words, they use fucking as modifier and then they never reduce the final phoneme /ng/to/n. In contrast, working class speakers are more likely to say fuckin than fucking .

“Register is a variety of language that a language user considers appropriate to a specific situation” (Baker 1992:15).

D. Translation Strategy

Mona Baker (1992:26) suggests eight strategies of translation, when one to one equivalence at word level can not be found as follows:

a. Translation by a more general word (superordinate) “Translation by a more general word (superordinate) is one of the commonest strategies dealing with many types of non-equivalence, particularly in the area of propositional meaning” Baker (1992:26). In this strategy, the translator changes the word of SL by finding its more general word in the TL. For example: ST (English) : And twelve years of sucking dick lessons. TT (Indonesian) : Dan belajar tentang seks selama 12 tahun.

b. Translation by a more neutral / less expressive word The aim of this strategy of translation is to avoid conveying the wrong expressive meaning of SL into TL. Some words in one language have no equivalent in other languages, especially those, which have expressive meaning. In this strategy, the translator tries to replace some expressive words into other words, which have less expressive meaning or more formal words, although sometimes this strategy can make the expressive meaning of the word lost in translation. For example: ST (English) : This is bullshit. TT (Indonesian) : Ini omong kosong.

c. Translation by cultural substitution “This strategy involves replacing a culture specific-item or expression with a target language item, which does not have the same propositional meaning but is likely to have similar impact on the target reader. The main advantage of using this strategy is that it gives the reader a concept with which she can identify, something familiar and appealing” Baker (1992:31). For example: ST (English) : Thanksgiving day is always fun. TT (Indonesian) : Hari sedekah bumi selalu menyenangkan.

d. Translation using a loan word or loan word plus explanation “Following the loan word with explanation is very useful when the word in question is repeated several times in the text. Once explained, the loan word can then be used on its own, the reader can understand it and is not distracted by further lengthly explanation” Baker (1992:34). For example:

1. Translation using a loan word ST (English) : Diving is fun. TT (Indonesian) : Diving itu menyenangkan.

2. Translation using a loan word plus explanation ST (English) : I use Jew. TT (Indonesia) : Aku memakai Jew (Yahudi).

e. Translation by paraphrase using a related word The paraphrase usually happens when a translator tries to translate some expression, such as idiomatic expression, proverbs, cultural item, and also swearing expression. In order to make a translation sounds natural likes its original one, the translator sometimes has to paraphrase the word, and therefore, the target reader can catch the message easily. For example: ST (English) : They offer two chicken thighs. TT(Indonesian) : Mereka menawarkan daging paha ayam.

f. Translation by paraphrase using unrelated words This kind of strategy can be used in some context if the concept expressed by the source item is not lexicalized at all in the target language. The main advantage of the paraphrase strategy is that “it achieves a high level of precision in specifying propositional meaning” Baker (1992:40).

For example: ST (English) : And she busts your balls because you’re a little bitch. TT (Indonesian) : Dan dia memarahimu karena kau pria menyedihkan yang

kotor !

g. Translation by omission “This strategy may sound rather drastic, but in fact, it does no harm to omit translating a word or expression in some contexts. If the meaning conveyed by a g. Translation by omission “This strategy may sound rather drastic, but in fact, it does no harm to omit translating a word or expression in some contexts. If the meaning conveyed by a

Glanzberg? TT (Indonesian) : Jadi aku harus duduk dan makan sendiri seperti Steven Glanzberg?

h. Translation by illustration “This is a useful option if the word, which lacks an equivalent in the target language refers to a physical entity, which can be illustrated, particularly if there are restriction on space and if the text has to remain short, concise, and to the point” Baker (1992:42). For example: ST (English) : Put meses on the doughnut. TT (Indonesian) : Taburkan meses di atas donat.

E. Accuracy and Acceptability

The accuracy of transferring message is an important part in translation. Accuracy is one of the factors, which determine the quality of translation. Accuracy also means that the meaning of the source text is transferred into target text correctly and the translation can be understood by the target reader easily. Basically, accuracy is related to choose the correct words in order to reveal the same idea in the target language. Choosing the right word should consider some factors such as, the target readers, context of the text, and socio-cultural condition. A translation is considered to be accurate if it conveys the meaning of the source language to the target language correctly.

Besides that, the meaning or the message must be conveyed by the language which is appropriate with the norms and cultures of the target readers. In other words, the aspect of acceptability is another important part in translation which determine the quality of translation. The acceptability of the translation is assessed from its natural ness for the target readers. Besides, the acceptability also deals with the compatibility and the conformity of the translation with target language system. If a translation is not appropriate with norms, values and cultures in the target language, it is not a natural translation.

F. Definition Of Taboo Expressions

There are many definitions of the word “taboo”. In Oxford Learner’s Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, “taboo is something which religion or custom regards as forbidden, not to be touched, spoken of” ( 1974: 878).

Taboo will be divided into units which are particularly relevant for a discussion of taboo language: language and sexuality, language and ethnicity, language and gender,

and language and religion.

According to Trudgill, there are two kinds of taboo. Taboo that is related to action called taboo behavior and taboo that is related to language named taboo words. “Taboo behavior which is believed to be supernaturally forbidden and/or

highly immoral and/or very improper, and which is prohibited for irrational rather than rational reasons. Taboo language has to do with words and expressions which are supposed not to be used, and which are shocking, offensive, blasphemous or indecent when they are used”(Trudgill, 1992:73).

The existence of taboo behavior can influence the existence of taboo words. On the other hand, taboo words can also make the taboo behavior appear. There is a strong relationship between them. “It is rempting to look at this very simply and to suggest that, for every behavioral taboo, there will be a taboo word…and sometimes, taboo words give rise to taboo behaviors” (Anderson and Trudgill, 1990:57).

For example, in Western culture, the taboo words related to sex i.e. fuck, suck, dick, etc appeared when the action of sex itself is forbidden to be done. On the other hand, the action of excrement becomes taboo for some cultures because the words that are related to this activity are taboo to be said.

According to the Trudgill, the famous British anthropologist Edmund Leach has also suggested that taboo words in English fall into three major groups: “(1) ‘Dirty’ words having to do with sex and excretion, such as bugger and shit, (2) Word that have to do with the Christian religion such as Christ and Jesus, (3) Words which According to the Trudgill, the famous British anthropologist Edmund Leach has also suggested that taboo words in English fall into three major groups: “(1) ‘Dirty’ words having to do with sex and excretion, such as bugger and shit, (2) Word that have to do with the Christian religion such as Christ and Jesus, (3) Words which

According to Jay “Some situations seem less intense without taboo words. ….Taboo words are used for their emotional impact on people rather than for their literal or denotative interpretation and speakers select dirty words or messages because they want emotional impact on listeners” (1992:1,10-11).

According to the opinion above, it can be concluded that the definition of taboo and the function of using taboo related to the speakers. The relation includes situation, the meaning of using words: whether it is as threat, showing anger, swearing, mockery and so on. It also includes the speaker’s background, culture, religion, and propriety norm in the society.

Another opinion is raised by Apte (1994: 4513-14) who states “taboo words are likely to be used in social interactions among friends in a private domain where an informal speech style prevails.”

Based on the opinions above, it is obvious that the definition of taboo expressions and the function of the use of it depends on the particular society (the speakers of the taboo expressions). It is related to the context situation (when the taboo expressions are said).

For example: “What the fuck? Do you make this exciting party for me?” The word “fuck” above expresses a surprise or happy feelings of the speakers. It will be For example: “What the fuck? Do you make this exciting party for me?” The word “fuck” above expresses a surprise or happy feelings of the speakers. It will be

everyday conversation, for example, the word sucks. Sucks is a sexual term but realistically, it is rarely used in that way. The one magical word which just by its sound can describe pain, pleasure, hate and love – sucks falls into many grammatical categories, as a transitive verb, an intransitive verb, an adjective, a noun, an adverb, etc. in short, its meaning is not always sexual anymore. For examples:

1. ST (English) :“Yeah, well, at least you got to suck on your dad’s dick.” TT (Indonesian) : “Ya, setidaknya kamu bisa hisap kelamin ayahmu.” The word meaning, as verb, is sexual.

2. ST (English) : “Really? That sucks.” TT (Indonesian) : “Benarkah? Sayang sekali.” As adverb, sucks refers to express disappointed. The use of taboo expressions now increases on Western daytime television

and radio. It is also more often used in the dialogues of western movie. Western movies, which are imported to Indonesia, mostly are descended from America’s home entertainment. This of course can raise problems, because cultural values in this country are not the same as that in western countries, especially America. If those taboo expressions occur in Indonesian television, they are not translated into Indonesian and just beeped out. Even though there are taboo expressions which are and radio. It is also more often used in the dialogues of western movie. Western movies, which are imported to Indonesia, mostly are descended from America’s home entertainment. This of course can raise problems, because cultural values in this country are not the same as that in western countries, especially America. If those taboo expressions occur in Indonesian television, they are not translated into Indonesian and just beeped out. Even though there are taboo expressions which are

Different language, social, and cultural backgrounds give a strong influence to taboo expressions. A dialogue or an act may be taboo or rude to some people, while the others do not feel the same when they see that act or hear that dialogue. Not all of the audience, in this case is Indonesian audience, accept those words when they see or hear the movie.

To overcome this problem, subtitler tries to transfer the messages of movie dialogues. Thus, the process of transferring them needs the process of translation. Translation here means transferring the messages from source language (SL) into the target language (TL) with considering the different culture.

The social context sometimes makes a translator face serious problems. It is proved by the fact that there have been misinterpretations in the audience’s mind since the taboo expressions translation fails to find out the suitable equivalence for certain terms for other cultures. Here are the examples of translating taboo expressions in movie dialogues:

Example:

1. Martin : Thanks for the free money, bitch. T : Terima kasih untuk uang gratisnya.

Datum no. 01

2. Alison : You’re such an asshole. T : Kau memang sialan.

Datum no. 077 In example 1, the translator omitted one taboo word, “bitch”. It makes the change of status in the dialogue. This makes the dialogue softer to be heard and more polite. In example 2, the subtitler translated the taboo words “asshole” into “sialan”. The word “asshole” and its translation, “sialan” has the same vulgar status.

G. Taboo Expressions

A taboo expression is often used in a conversation of a certain society, even though it often makes the listener feel uncomfortable and she/he doesn’t know how to react. If someone is a stranger, one of the first things he will try to find out is what he should avoid saying. Taboos are known to most speakers through observing the reaction of others when discussed. Taboos are accessible to most speakers and therefore do not have to be taught. Taboos are things or ideas which are generally forbidden. The origin of the word ‘taboo’, in Polynesian ‘tapu’, means sacred and refers to certain laws and rules in society. Taboos can be very negative aspects of a social groups and often times they are the extremes of a society and threaten its social foundation. Of course we are free to use taboo terms even though the fact that they are considered inappropriate in most situation. Taboo expressions can be used as intensives so as to stress the statement or the content. They can also be applied with the intention of insulting, causing a negative reaction or response on the hearer’s side. Taboo expressions generally relate to one of the following subjects: sex, body function, defects (bodily or mental), religion and ethnic aspects. All of those are A taboo expression is often used in a conversation of a certain society, even though it often makes the listener feel uncomfortable and she/he doesn’t know how to react. If someone is a stranger, one of the first things he will try to find out is what he should avoid saying. Taboos are known to most speakers through observing the reaction of others when discussed. Taboos are accessible to most speakers and therefore do not have to be taught. Taboos are things or ideas which are generally forbidden. The origin of the word ‘taboo’, in Polynesian ‘tapu’, means sacred and refers to certain laws and rules in society. Taboos can be very negative aspects of a social groups and often times they are the extremes of a society and threaten its social foundation. Of course we are free to use taboo terms even though the fact that they are considered inappropriate in most situation. Taboo expressions can be used as intensives so as to stress the statement or the content. They can also be applied with the intention of insulting, causing a negative reaction or response on the hearer’s side. Taboo expressions generally relate to one of the following subjects: sex, body function, defects (bodily or mental), religion and ethnic aspects. All of those are

When describing taboos and taboo expressions, the difference between those two notions needs to be defined. Taboos are the ideas or topics which are generally forbidden. Uncomfortable terms, usually relating to taboo subject, are the taboo terms or taboo expressions. Taboo terms include coarse expressions and expressions of an unpleasant suggestion that are associated with taboo topic.

H. The Categories of Taboo Expressions

Timothy Jay (1992:2-9) characterizes taboo expressions into 9 classifications, they are: blasphemy, scatology, cursing, profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, epithets, insults and slurs. The definitions of each category are as follows:

1. Cursing: “Curse (v): to call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon” (www.martyburns.com).

Curse is to use a magic words or phrases against somebody in order to harm them, or to say rude things to somebody. Since cursing is wishing harm on another person, the phrases damn you, goddamn you, to hell with you would be examples of religious curses. Curses can also be non-religious, for examples: Eat shit and die!, I hope you break your neck!.

2. Profanity: “Profane (vt): to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt: Desecrate: not concerned with religion or religious purposes: secular” (www.martyburns.com).

Profanity is based on a religious relationship, to be profane means to be secular or indifferent toward religion. Profane words are not an attack on religion, it amounts to indifference or a misuse of religious things through ignorance. Profanity is behavior that shows a lack of respect for God or holy things. Forms could be: Jesus H. Christ! I’m hungry! , For the love of Christ! Get off the phone!.

3. Blasphemy: “Blasphemy (n): the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God: the act of claiming the attributes of deity : irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable” (www.martyburns.com).

Blasphemy is more worrying than profanity. Blasphemy is an attack on religion or religion figures. It represents an intentional and offensive threat to religion and is thus more subject to punishment than profanity. Blasphemy is behavior or language that aim to insults or disrespects something related to God or church or other sacred things.

Examples could include: Screw the Pope!, Shit on what it says in the Bible!, The church can shove their new fund drive! ( www.wikipedia.org )

4. Vulgarity: “Vulgar (adj): generally used, applied or accepted: understood in or having the ordinary sense: of or relating to common people: lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste: Coarse : morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate: Gross” (www.martyburns.com).

Vulgarity is the fact of being rude or not having good taste. The ordinary people or the people in the street usually use vulgar words. The upper classes placed vulgar as a value judgment onto the lower. Vulgar words reflect the crudeness of street language. Examples include: snot, bloody, up yours, booger, slut, piss, crap, kiss my ass, snatch, on the rag or puke.

5. Epithets: “Epithet (n): a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase” (www.martyburns.com).

Epithets are simple one or two words that is used to describe somebody or something’s character especially to give praise or criticism. While epithets can be used to signal any emotional state (such as surprise, frustration, anger, despair, joy), the meaning that they give depends on the manner and context in which they are spoken. Examples include: shit, damn, hell, son of a bitch, goddamn it, fuck, fuck you, fuck off, piss off, Jesus Christ.

6. Insults and Slurs: “Insult (vb): to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt. Slur (vt): to cast aspersions on: disparage” (www.martyburns.com).

Insults and slurs are powerful because these words can harm the target of the speaker and the groups of people who say the words are powerful. They define negative references, they attack to the victim to the referent named. They derogate

a person or group of people, representing stereotype and a level of prejudice of the speaker. Some use animal imagery such as: pig, dog, bitch, son of a bitch, jackass. Some on social deviations: whore, slut, bastard, homo, fag, queer.

There are also many ethnic and racial slurs. Ethnic-racial slurs are problematic and they are defining racial discriminations and hate speech. Examples include: honkey, dago, spic, nigger, wop, kike, chink, frog, taco, wet back, gook, slope, mick, grease ball, Pollack (www.wikipedia.org).

7. Scatology: “Scatological (adj): of or relating to excrement or scatology. Scatology (n): interest in or treatment of obscene matters, especially in literature: the biologically oriented study of excrement” (www.martyburns.com).

Scatology refers to words related to feces and excrement. This make references to bodily functions and bodily products. Scatological references are offensive with disgusting items. Scatological language is very common during childhood when children are deeply involved in toilet training.

Examples include: poo poo, ka ka, poop, turd, crap, shit, shit ass, shit for brains, piss, piss pot, piss off, fart .

8. Obscenity: “Obscene (adj): disgusting to the senses: repulsive: abhorrent to morality or virtue; specifically: designed to incite to lust or depravity: containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage” (www.martyburns.com).

Obscenity refers to words, images or actions that offend the sexual morality of the time. The term is most often used in a legal context that is utterly without good social value. For example: fuck, motherfucker, cocksucker, cunt or tits.

Meanwhile, in Indonesian, Tahalea (1983:43) characterizes taboo expressions into 3 classifications, they are: taboo related to politeness, taboo related to scare, and taboo related to something bad. The definitions of each category are as follows:

1. Taboo related to scare Subject or object related to religion or something sacred causes prohibition to say the name of something directly. For example, Javanese people use Gusti to say the name of God. Something that is considered as sacred can be the source of scare and taboo.

2. Taboo related to something bad Words related to human that are used to say something bad, to say the physical and mental defect or to say the death of someone. For example, buta, bisu, mati .

3. Taboo related to politeness Taboo in this category related to sex, swearing words and bodily function or the part of body. For example, berhubungan seks, anjing, anus, payudara. All of those words can reduce the politeness of the language causing the language is considered as taboo.

I. The Use of Taboo Expressions

There is a standard variety in the language. Standard variety is a certain variety of a language which bridges the regional and work as a national variety. Mostly it has a lot of social prestige because the educated speakers use it. It is the language used most frequently on TV and in the other media. Usually we avoid taboo expressions. However, a speaker can mention them in order to bring out a shocking effect, or a reaction of disgust. National standard varieties can include taboo terms and expressions into their vocabulary thus making it possible for speakers to use them without it being considered inappropriate. Speaker groups create a certain vocabulary, set formal or informal rules and a certain etiquette and, while applying them, redraw borders of what is in general considered as being appropriate language. Therefore, it is acceptable today to talk about sexuality at home or in the streets, it is defined by certain conventions that such a topic and the vocabulary that goes along with it would not be suitable to deal with or to use in places of worship, in example: a mosque or a There is a standard variety in the language. Standard variety is a certain variety of a language which bridges the regional and work as a national variety. Mostly it has a lot of social prestige because the educated speakers use it. It is the language used most frequently on TV and in the other media. Usually we avoid taboo expressions. However, a speaker can mention them in order to bring out a shocking effect, or a reaction of disgust. National standard varieties can include taboo terms and expressions into their vocabulary thus making it possible for speakers to use them without it being considered inappropriate. Speaker groups create a certain vocabulary, set formal or informal rules and a certain etiquette and, while applying them, redraw borders of what is in general considered as being appropriate language. Therefore, it is acceptable today to talk about sexuality at home or in the streets, it is defined by certain conventions that such a topic and the vocabulary that goes along with it would not be suitable to deal with or to use in places of worship, in example: a mosque or a

“… All dialect groups recognize taboo terms, although the conventions for usage may differ to some extent from group to group, as may the classification of particular terms as taboo items. For example, the use of bloody as an intensifier (in example: Where’s the fucking car?) is considered acceptable if odd in American English, but it is quite offensive to British English ears..” (Wolfram, 1998: 61).

So a term can be offensive or proper, depending on the geographic area as well as the characteristics of speaker groups both, speaker and hearer belong to.

J. Communication Context in Taboo Expressions