Translation with idioms that have similar meanings and forms

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 4 views

Introduction

Translating idiomatic expressions is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the culture and language of the source and target. In the novel "Paper Towns" by John Green, Angelic Zaizai's translation into Indonesian is a prime example of this challenge. This study aims to investigate how Angelic Zaizai translated idiomatic expressions in the novel and identify the types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel.

Background

Idiomatic expressions are a crucial aspect of language, conveying meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation of individual words. However, translating these expressions can be a daunting task, as they often rely on cultural and linguistic nuances that may not be easily translatable. In the context of literary translation, understanding the strategy of translating idiomatic expressions is essential to ensure that the translated text conveys the intended meaning and tone of the original work.

Methodology

This study uses a qualitative descriptive method to analyze the translation of idiomatic expressions in the novel "Paper Towns" by John Green. The data collected includes the English version of the novel and its translation version in Indonesian. The analysis is based on the theory of idiomatic expression by Fernando (1996) and the theory of the strategy of translating idiomatic expression by Mona Baker (1992). The data analysis techniques refer to Miles, Huberman, and Saldana (2014).

Results

This study succeeded in analyzing 95 idiomatic expression data and found two important things. Firstly, Angelic Zaizai uses three translation strategies:

Translation with Idioms that have Similar Meanings and Forms

This strategy is used in 19 data, where idiomatic expressions in English are translated with Indonesian idioms that have similar meanings and forms. For example, the English idiom "break a leg" is translated into Indonesian as "beruntung" (lucky), which has a similar meaning and form.

Translation with Idioms that have Similar Meanings, but Different Forms

This strategy is used in 6 data, where idiomatic expressions in English are translated with Indonesian idioms that have similar meanings but different forms. For example, the English idiom "kick the bucket" is translated into Indonesian as "meninggal dunia" (died), which has a similar meaning but a different form.

Translation with Paraphrasing

This strategy is the most commonly used, with 70 data translated with paraphrasing, which translates the meaning of idiomatic expression using ordinary sentences. For example, the English idiom "it's raining cats and dogs" is translated into Indonesian as "hujan deras" (heavy rain), which conveys the same meaning but in a more literal way.

Interestingly, Angelic Zaizai did not use the translation strategy by eliminating idiomatic expressions at all. This suggests that the translator recognized the importance of idiomatic expressions in conveying the intended meaning and tone of the original work.

Types of Idiomatic Expressions

This research also identifies the types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel "Paper Towns":

Literal Idioms

14 Data shows literal idioms, which are idioms that have a literal meaning. For example, the English idiom "red flag" is a literal idiom that refers to a warning sign.

Semi-Idioms

10 Data shows semi-idioms, which are idioms whose words are partially literal and some are figurative. For example, the English idiom "bend over backwards" is a semi-idiom that refers to going out of one's way to help someone.

Pure Idioms

71 Data shows pure idioms, which are idioms whose meanings cannot be interpreted based on the meaning of the constituent words. For example, the English idiom "kick the bucket" is a pure idiom that refers to dying.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insight into the strategy of translating idiomatic expressions in literary works. Translation with Paraphrasing is the most dominant strategy in translating "paper towns", which shows that sometimes the use of idioms directly in Indonesian is not always suitable and can cause different meanings. This study also shows that idiomatic translation is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the culture and language of the source and target.

Implications

The findings of this study have implications for literary translation and language teaching. Firstly, it highlights the importance of understanding the strategy of translating idiomatic expressions in literary works. Secondly, it suggests that translation with paraphrasing is a viable strategy for translating idiomatic expressions, especially when the use of idioms directly in Indonesian is not suitable. Finally, it emphasizes the need for language teachers to provide students with a deep understanding of the culture and language of the source and target.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, it only analyzed 95 idiomatic expression data, which may not be representative of the entire novel. Secondly, it only focused on the translation of idiomatic expressions and did not consider other aspects of language, such as grammar and vocabulary. Finally, it only analyzed the translation of the novel "Paper Towns" and did not consider other literary works.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Analyzing the translation of idiomatic expressions in other literary works
Investigating the use of other translation strategies, such as literal translation or free translation
Examining the impact of cultural and linguistic differences on the translation of idiomatic expressions
Developing a more comprehensive theory of idiomatic expression translation

By exploring these research directions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex process of translating idiomatic expressions and develop more effective strategies for literary translation.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the strategies of translating English idiomatic expressions in the novel "Paper Towns" by John Green into Indonesian by Angelic Zaizai. This study aimed to investigate how Angelic Zaizai translated idiomatic expressions in the novel and identify the types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel. In this Q&A article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the study.

Q: What is the main goal of the study?

A: The main goal of the study is to investigate how Angelic Zaizai translated idiomatic expressions in the novel "Paper Towns" by John Green into Indonesian and identify the types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel.

Q: What are the three translation strategies used by Angelic Zaizai?

A: The three translation strategies used by Angelic Zaizai are:

Translation with idioms that have similar meanings and forms: This strategy is used in 19 data, where idiomatic expressions in English are translated with Indonesian idioms that have similar meanings and forms.
Translation with idioms that have similar meanings, but different forms: This strategy is used in 6 data, where idiomatic expressions in English are translated with Indonesian idioms that have similar meanings but different forms.
Translation with Paraphrasing: This strategy is the most commonly used, with 70 data translated with paraphrasing, which translates the meaning of idiomatic expression using ordinary sentences.

Q: What are the types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel "Paper Towns"?

A: The types of idiomatic expressions found in the novel "Paper Towns" are:

Literal Idioms: 14 Data shows literal idioms, which are idioms that have a literal meaning.
Semi-Idioms: 10 Data shows semi-idioms, which are idioms whose words are partially literal and some are figurative.
Pure Idioms: 71 Data shows pure idioms, which are idioms whose meanings cannot be interpreted based on the meaning of the constituent words.

Q: Why did Angelic Zaizai not use the translation strategy by eliminating idiomatic expressions at all?

A: Angelic Zaizai did not use the translation strategy by eliminating idiomatic expressions at all because the translator recognized the importance of idiomatic expressions in conveying the intended meaning and tone of the original work.

Q: What are the implications of the study for literary translation and language teaching?

A: The findings of the study have implications for literary translation and language teaching. Firstly, it highlights the importance of understanding the strategy of translating idiomatic expressions in literary works. Secondly, it suggests that translation with paraphrasing is a viable strategy for translating idiomatic expressions, especially when the use of idioms directly in Indonesian is not suitable. Finally, it emphasizes the need for language teachers to provide students with a deep understanding of the culture and language of the source and target.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations. Firstly, it only analyzed 95 idiomatic expression data, which may not be representative of the entire novel. Secondly, it only focused on the translation of idiomatic expressions and did not consider other aspects of language, such as grammar and vocabulary. Finally, it only analyzed the translation of the novel "Paper Towns" and did not consider other literary works.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include:

Analyzing the translation of idiomatic expressions in other literary works
Investigating the use of other translation strategies, such as literal translation or free translation
Examining the impact of cultural and linguistic differences on the translation of idiomatic expressions
Developing a more comprehensive theory of idiomatic expression translation

By exploring these research directions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex process of translating idiomatic expressions and develop more effective strategies for literary translation.