Translation Method

Translation Method

Newmark (1988) mentions the difference between translation methods and translation procedures. He writes that, "While translation methods relate to whole texts, translation procedures are used for sentences and the smaller units of language" (p.81). He goes on to refer to the following methods of translation:

1.    Word-for-word translation

Word-for-word translation: in which the SL word order is preserved and the words translated singly by their most common meanings, out of context. This technique can be used if only the structure of SL and TL is same. For example, Charles kicked the ball, can be translated into Charles menendang bola.

2.    Literal translation

In which the SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but the lexical words are again translated singly, out of context.

Literal translation can deal with the target language grammar, in other words literal translation can adapt with the target language. The problem is this technique can not translate some proverbs or idioms. For example, all the roads lead to Roma, when use literal translation it will be semua jalan menuju ke Roma, but actually it means seribu jalan menuju Roma.

3.    Faithful translation

It attempts to produce the precise contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical structures.

The faithful translation can give better translation in target language even in some proverb or idiom for example, brown nose, it can be translated into penjilat.

4.    Semantic translation

Which differs from 'faithful translation' only in as far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value of the SL text.

It is mostly same with the faithful translation, but here the sense of the words are softer or more polite, for example, brown nose can translated into orang yang bersikap merendah untuk memperoleh sesuatu.

5.    Adaptation

Which is the freest form of translation, and is used mainly for plays (comedies) and poetry; the themes, characters, plots are usually preserved, the SL culture is converted to the TL culture and the text is rewritten.

Adaptation can be used in some role play or drama that have some similarity in its background. For example Cinderella story has similarity with bawang merah bawang putih.

6.    Free translation

It produces the TL text without the style, form, or content of the original. This technique produce new meaning in TL without maintain manner or the content without the form of the original. The new phrase could be shorter than the original one, for example, is it enough? Can be translated into cukup?

  

7.    Idiomatic translation

It reproduces the 'message' of the original but tends to distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms where these do not exist in the original. The concern of the translation is in finding the closest equivalent meaning of the idiom in TL.  For example, to cherish a viper in one's bosom, can be translated into air susu dibalas air tuba.

8.    Communicative translation:

It attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the original in such a way that both content and language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the readership. We can find it in some prohibition and warning in public area, for example no smoking can translated into dilarang merokok.