Translation theory

Definition, process, type,

 Definition

Translation theory
(Catford, 1974: 20)
 the replacement of textual material in one language
(source language) by equivalent textual material in
another language (target language)
(Lawendowski see Shuttleworth & Cowie, 1997:
182)
 The transfer of ‘meaning’ from one set of language signs
to another set of language signs.
(Brislin, 1976: 1)
 Translation is a general term referring to the transfer of
thoughts and ideas from one language (source) to
another (target) whether the language are in written or
oral form.
Kridalaksana, 1985
 Pemindahan suatu amanat dari bahasa sumber ke dalam
bahasa sasaran dengan pertama-tama mengungkapkan
maknanya dan kemudian gaya bahasanya.
(Nida dan Taber 1974:12)
 the reproducing in the receptor language closest natural
equivalent of the source language message, first in terms
of meaning and secondly in terms of style.
Translation theory

Process
Translation process
(Bell:1991)

Memory
Source Language
Text Analysis

Semantic
Representation

Target Language
Synthesis Text
Another translation process diagram
(Bassnett:1991)

Source Text Target Text

Step 1:
Step 3:
Analysis Mental Process / Restructuring
Cognitive Process
/Black Box

Step 2:
Transferring
Translation theory

Types
Types of translation
1. Word-for-word translation
2. Free translation
3. Literal translation
4. Dynamic translation
5. Pragmatic translation
6. Esthetic-poetic translation
7. Ethnographic translation
8. Linguistic translation
9. Communicative translation
1. Word-for-word translation
 Word level; without any restructuring;
 Similar structure in SL and TL.
 E.g.:
 I like that clever student
 Saya menyukai itu pintar anak.
 Two third of the applicants are interested in studying
technology management
 Dua ketiga dari itu pelamar-pelamar adalah tertarik dalam
mempelajari teknologi manajemen.
 I will go to Bali tomorrow
 Saya akan pergi ke Bali besok.
 She gave me two tickets yesterday
 Dia memberi saya dua tiket kemarin.
2. Free translation
 Level of paragraph or discourse;
 E.g.:
 Killing two birds with one stone
 sambil menyelam minum air
3.Literal translation
 Between word-for-word and free translation
 word-for-word  restructuring
 Applied in different structure (SL&TL).
 E.g.:
 His heart in the right place
 Kepunyaanya hati adalah dalam itu benar tempat (word-for-
word)
 Hatinya berada di tempat yang benar (literal)
 Dia baik hati (free)
4. Dynamic translation
 With common expression
 E.g.:
 The author has organized this book since 1995
1. Penulis telah mengorganisasi buku ini sejak 1995.
2. Penulis telah menyusun buku ini sejak 1995.
3. Penulis telah membakar buku ini sejak 1995.
5. Pragmatic translation
 Lack of form/esthetic
 Translator prioritizes in transferring information
 E.g.:
 Master kids shower gel formulated with triclosan, Aloe
vera extract, D-Panthenol and Vitamin E to make your
skin clean, fresh, and stay healthy.
 Sabun mandi Master Kids yang diformulasikan dengan
Triclosan, Ekstrak aloe vera, D-Panthenol dan vitamin E.
Kulitmu jadi bersih, harum lembut dan tetap sehat.
 Sabun mandi Master Kids yang diformulasikan dengan
Triclosan, Ekstrak aloe vera, D-Panthenol dan vitamin E
membuat/menjadikan kulitmu jadi bersih, harum lembut dan
tetap sehat.
6. Esthetic-poetic translation
 Focus on esthetic value; feeling, emotion, sense.
 E.g.:
 Di luar salju terus. Hampir pagi.
Tubuhmu terbit dari birahi.
Angin menembus. Hilang lagi.

 Outside snow falls. Almost morning.

 Your body shaped in sensual feeling.
 the wind pierces. And is clearing.
7. Ethnographic translation
 Try to explain the SL context into TL
 E.g.:
 Delman
 two-wheeled buggy
 Thanksgiving
 Syukuran?
 Tujuhbulanan
 Baby shower
8. Linguistic translation
 I love you  saya cinta kamu, aku mencintai engkau
 I loved you  saya tidak mencintaimu lagi

 Same in surface structure but different in deep structure.

9. Communicative translation
 Communicative
 The reaction of the readers
 E.g.:
 I would admit that I am wrong
 Saya mau mengakui bahwa saya salah.
 I will admit that I am wrong
 Saya akan mengakui bahwa saya salah.
1. Could you open the window?
2. Can you open the window?
3. Open the window, please!
4. Open the window, will you?

1. Yes, dad
2. Yes, sir
 Types of translation
Why are there some types of translation?
1. Differences between SL and TL.
2. Different types of material text (ST).
3. Translation as tool for communication.
4. Different goal