communicative translation method

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 90 views

French Film Subtitle Analysis "Comme Un Chef" in Indonesian: A Study on Translation Methods and Shifts

Introduction

The world of translation is a complex and multifaceted field, with various methods and techniques employed to convey meaning from one language to another. In the context of film subtitles, the translation process is particularly challenging, as it requires not only linguistic accuracy but also cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding. This study aims to examine the translation and shift methods used in the French film "Comme Un Chef" in its Indonesian subtitle, with a focus on the eight types of methods put forward by Peter Newmark and the various shifts that occur in the translation process.

Background

"Comme Un Chef" is a French film that has been in the spotlight in the world of translation, especially in the subtitle aspect. The film contains 1555 utterances consisting of 7387 words, making it a significant dataset for analysis. This study aims to provide insights into the translation methods and shifts used in the film, with a view to understanding how the translation is effective and the challenges faced by the translator in conveying the right meaning to the audience.

Translation Methods

The translation method used in this film refers to the eight types of methods put forward by Peter Newmark. These methods include:

Literal Translation: This method involves translating the source language text in a very close way, with minimal changes to the original meaning.
Communicative Translation: This method involves translating the source language text in a way that is clear and effective for the target audience.
Free Translation: This method involves translating the source language text in a way that is flexible and adaptable to the target language.
Word-For-Word Translation: This method involves translating the source language text word-for-word, without considering the nuances of the target language.
Semantic Translation: This method involves translating the source language text in a way that conveys the same meaning as the original text.
Idiomatic Translation: This method involves translating the source language text in a way that preserves the idiomatic expressions and cultural references of the original text.

Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the literal translation method became the most commonly used, with 487 times (31.321%). This shows that many of the dialogues in the film are translated in a very close way. Followed by the communicative translation method that appeared 347 times (32.21%) and the free translation method with 260 times (16.72%). Meanwhile, the use of other translation methods, such as Word-For-Word Translation, Semantic Translation, and Idiomatic Translation, also has a significant frequency even though it is lower.

Shifts in Translation

In addition to the translation method, the analysis also found 13 types of classroom shifts (category shifts) and 11 types of level shifts (level shifts). Class shift in word, such as shifting verbs into nouns, is a strategy that is commonly used to adjust grammar and sentence structure in the target language. For example, the shift of verbs into nouns recorded 17 times, which shows that to create more natural sentences in Indonesian, translators convert structure.

Meanwhile, the shift in level shows changes from one form of time to another, such as shifts from the current stage to the past that occurred 27 times. This shows how the context in the film sometimes requires changes in time to match with the nuances and emotions to be conveyed by the characters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides important insights on various methods and shifts used in subtitle translation. The results can be a reference for translators and researchers who are interested in understanding more about the arts and translation techniques, especially in the context of film. By paying attention to successful methods and techniques, the translator is expected to produce a better and more accurate translation, so that the message contained in the film can be delivered well to the audience from different language backgrounds.

Recommendations

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

Translators should be aware of the various translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.
Translators should be sensitive to the context and cultural references of the original text.
Translators should use a combination of translation methods and shifts to achieve an effective translation.
Researchers should continue to study and analyze the translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The dataset used in this study is limited to a single film.
The analysis is based on a quantitative approach, which may not capture the nuances of the translation process.
The study does not consider the impact of cultural and social factors on the translation process.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Studying the translation methods and shifts used in other films and languages.
Analyzing the impact of cultural and social factors on the translation process.
Developing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the translation process.

References

Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. New York: Prentice Hall.
Baker, M. (1992). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. London: Routledge.
House, J. (1997). Translation and Linguistic Analysis: Observations on Shakespeare and the Bible. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Q&A: French Film Subtitle Analysis "Comme Un Chef" in Indonesian

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the translation methods and shifts used in the French film "Comme Un Chef" in its Indonesian subtitle. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the study and provide further insights into the translation process.

Q: What is the purpose of the study?

A: The purpose of the study is to examine the translation methods and shifts used in the French film "Comme Un Chef" in its Indonesian subtitle, with a focus on the eight types of methods put forward by Peter Newmark and the various shifts that occur in the translation process.

Q: What are the main findings of the study?

A: The main findings of the study are:

The literal translation method is the most commonly used, with 487 times (31.321%).
The communicative translation method is the second most commonly used, with 347 times (32.21%).
The free translation method is used 260 times (16.72%).
13 types of classroom shifts (category shifts) and 11 types of level shifts (level shifts) are used in the translation process.

Q: What are the implications of the study?

A: The implications of the study are:

Translators should be aware of the various translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.
Translators should be sensitive to the context and cultural references of the original text.
Translators should use a combination of translation methods and shifts to achieve an effective translation.
Researchers should continue to study and analyze the translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The limitations of the study are:

The dataset used in this study is limited to a single film.
The analysis is based on a quantitative approach, which may not capture the nuances of the translation process.
The study does not consider the impact of cultural and social factors on the translation process.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions include:

Studying the translation methods and shifts used in other films and languages.
Analyzing the impact of cultural and social factors on the translation process.
Developing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the translation process.

Q: What are the practical applications of the study?

A: The practical applications of the study are:

Translators can use the findings of the study to improve their translation skills and techniques.
Researchers can use the findings of the study to develop new theories and models of translation.
Educators can use the findings of the study to teach translation and interpretation skills to students.

Q: What are the implications for the film industry?

A: The implications for the film industry are:

The study highlights the importance of accurate and effective translation in the film industry.
The study suggests that translators should be aware of the various translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.
The study implies that the film industry should invest in training and education for translators to improve their skills and techniques.

Q: What are the implications for the translation industry?

A: The implications for the translation industry are:

The study highlights the importance of accurate and effective translation in the translation industry.
The study suggests that translators should be aware of the various translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation.
The study implies that the translation industry should invest in research and development to improve translation technologies and techniques.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study provides important insights into the translation methods and shifts used in subtitle translation. The findings of the study have implications for translators, researchers, educators, and the film and translation industries. We hope that this Q&A article has provided further insights into the study and its implications.