I. PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION

I.                   PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION

Some General Principles which are relevant to all translation ( Taken from Duff, 1990, pp.10-11)

a.      Meaning. The translation should reflect accurately the meaning of the original text. Nothing should be arbitrarily added or removed, though occasionally part of the meaning can be ‘transposed’, for example:

Ask yourself

·         is the meaning of the original text clear ? if not, where does the uncertainty lie ?

·      are any words ‘loaded’, that is, are there any underlying implications ? (‘Correct me if I’m wrong…’ suggests ‘I know I’m right’)

·    is the dictionary meaning of a particular word the most suitable one ? (should “register” be “daftar” in Indonesian ?

·         does anything in the translation sound unnatural or forced ?

b.      Form. The ordering of words and ideas in the translation should match the original as closely as possible. (This is particularly important in translating legal documents, guarantees, contracts etc). But differences in language structure often requires changes in the form and order of words.

c.       Register. Languages often differ greatly in their levels of formality in given context (say, the business letter). To resolve these differences, the translator must distinguish between formal or fixed expressions (Dear Madam,) and personal expressions (Hi,), in which the writer or the speaker sets the tone.

Consider also:

·  would any expression in the original sound too formal/informal, cold/warm, personal/impersonal…if translated literally ?

·  what is the intention of the speaker or writer ? (to persuade/ dissuade, apologize/criticize ?) Does this come through in the translation ?

d.      Source language influence. One of the most criticisms of translations is that ‘it doesn’t sound natural’. This is because the translator’s thoughts and choice of words are too strongly moulded by the original text.

e.       Style and clarity. The translator should not change the style of the original.

f.      Idiom. Idiomatic expressions are notoriously untranslatable. These include similes, metaphors, proverbs and sayings (as good as gold), jargon, slang, and colloquialisms (user-friendly, Big Mac, etc.), and English phrasal verbs. If the expressions cannot be directly translated, try one of the following:

·         Retain the original word, in inverted commas: ‘user-friendly’

·         Retain the original expressions, with a literal explanation in brackets:

·         Use a close equivalent,

·         Use a non idiomatic or plain prose translation,