Amplification and Substitution Techniques

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 145 views

Translation Techniques of Cultural Elements in Children Na Dangol Ni Andung: A Mandailing Folklore

Introduction

Translation is a vital process that enables the conveyance of cultural and contextual nuances from one language to another. In the realm of folklore, translation plays a crucial role in preserving the essence and meaning of the original text. This study aims to investigate the translation techniques employed in translating the Mandailing folklor, Na Dangol Ni Andung's Children, into English. By applying Newmark's theory (1988) and Nababan's translation quality parameters (2012), this research seeks to elucidate the impact of translation techniques on the understanding of the original text.

The Translation Technique Used

In this study, three focused analyses were conducted: cultural terms, parables, and idioms. Each focus exhibited a variety of translation techniques. Firstly, cultural terms presented seven variants of translation techniques, with a diverse range of data. The techniques used included:

Literal Translation: 16 data
Pure Loan: 11 data
Addition: 5 data
Description: 3 data
Reduction: 2 data
Amplification and Substitution Techniques: each 1 data

Secondly, parables contained ten technical variants, with Literal Translation being the most commonly used, accounting for 25 data, followed by Pure Modulation and Borrowing. Thirdly, idioms consisted of seven variants of translation techniques, with Modulation Techniques dominating the list.

From the overall analysis, the two most frequently used translation techniques were Single Technique (15.5%) and Double Technique (84.5%). This finding indicates that 48.5% of the translated data had good accuracy, while the remaining 51.5% was considered inaccurate.

Translation Quality

From the perspective of translation quality, 64.1% of the data were deemed acceptable among readers, while 68% of the data had a high level of readability. However, despite the varied techniques employed, many translations still faced challenges in adapting cultural aspects that lacked direct equivalents in English.

Analysis of Why Certain Techniques are Used

The reasons behind the selection of translation techniques were diverse and influenced by the translator's experience. In this case, the translator, a S2 program student, faced limited knowledge about translation material. As a result, they tended to translate words per word, often producing translations that were not in accordance with the target context. The translator realized that many terms in Mandailing folklor may not fit into the culture of the target language readers, leading them to employ Modulation Techniques to overcome these problems.

Borrowing Techniques were also used as a solution when there was no fitting equivalent, resulting in the emergence of Coulette and Triplet Techniques. Literal Translation, although widely used, often did not accept in the context of the culture of the reader, causing the right meaning to be difficult to accept in the target culture.

Conclusion

Through this research, it is evident that the translation technique in Na Dangol Ni Andung's Children has its own challenges in terms of cultural adaptation. While various techniques have been applied to achieve high accuracy and readability, difficulty in translating cultural elements remains an important factor that must be considered. The knowledge and experience of the translator greatly affect the final quality of the translation, highlighting the importance of in-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text to improve the quality of translation in the future.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Translator Training: Provide translators with comprehensive training on translation techniques, cultural adaptation, and the importance of in-depth knowledge of the source text.
Cultural Contextualization: Ensure that translators have a thorough understanding of the cultural context of the source text to avoid misinterpretation and misrepresentation.
Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between translators, linguists, and cultural experts to ensure that translations are accurate, readable, and culturally sensitive.

By implementing these recommendations, the quality of translation can be improved, and the cultural essence of the original text can be preserved for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Translation Techniques of Cultural Elements in Children Na Dangol Ni Andung: A Mandailing Folklore

Q1: What is the significance of translation in folklore?

A1: Translation is a vital process that enables the conveyance of cultural and contextual nuances from one language to another. In the realm of folklore, translation plays a crucial role in preserving the essence and meaning of the original text.

Q2: What are the challenges faced by translators in translating cultural elements?

A2: Translators often face challenges in adapting cultural aspects that lack direct equivalents in the target language. This can lead to misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the original text.

Q3: What are the most commonly used translation techniques in translating cultural elements?

A3: The two most frequently used translation techniques are Single Technique (15.5%) and Double Technique (84.5%). These techniques are used to convey the meaning of the original text in the target language.

Q4: What is the importance of in-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text?

A4: In-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text is crucial in ensuring that translations are accurate, readable, and culturally sensitive. This knowledge helps translators to avoid misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the original text.

Q5: What are the benefits of collaboration between translators, linguists, and cultural experts?

A5: Collaboration between translators, linguists, and cultural experts ensures that translations are accurate, readable, and culturally sensitive. This collaboration helps to identify and address potential issues that may arise during the translation process.

Q6: What are the recommendations for improving the quality of translation?

A6: The following recommendations are made to improve the quality of translation:

Translator Training: Provide translators with comprehensive training on translation techniques, cultural adaptation, and the importance of in-depth knowledge of the source text.
Cultural Contextualization: Ensure that translators have a thorough understanding of the cultural context of the source text to avoid misinterpretation and misrepresentation.
Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between translators, linguists, and cultural experts to ensure that translations are accurate, readable, and culturally sensitive.

Q7: What is the significance of the study on translation techniques of cultural elements in Children Na Dangol Ni Andung: A Mandailing Folklore?

A7: The study on translation techniques of cultural elements in Children Na Dangol Ni Andung: A Mandailing Folklore provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by translators in translating cultural elements. The study highlights the importance of in-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text and the benefits of collaboration between translators, linguists, and cultural experts.

Q8: What are the implications of the study for future research?

A8: The study has implications for future research in the field of translation studies. It highlights the need for further research on the challenges faced by translators in translating cultural elements and the importance of in-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text.

Q9: What are the practical applications of the study?

A9: The study has practical applications in the field of translation and interpretation. It provides valuable insights for translators, linguists, and cultural experts on the challenges faced by translators in translating cultural elements and the importance of in-depth knowledge of the culture and context of the source text.

Q10: What are the limitations of the study?

A10: The study has limitations in terms of its scope and sample size. Future research should aim to expand the scope of the study and increase the sample size to provide more comprehensive insights into the challenges faced by translators in translating cultural elements.