Definition of Translation
Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message; first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style (Nida & Taber, 1974). According to Nida and Taber, the translation should be aimed at reproducing the message instead of the similarility between the source-language and target-language messages. A good translation, in their opinion, is a translation which does not look like a translation. Meanwhile, Newmark has defined eight “methods” of translation which are not based on the “objective”, besides “for whom” the translation is made. Four of the eight methods are “source language-oriented”, the other four “target language-oriented”. Newmark described the eight translation methods in a so-called diagram-V. The eight methods are : (1) word by word translation, (2) literal translation, (3) loyal translation, (4) semantic translation, (5) adaptation, (6) free translation, (7) idiomatic translation, and (8) communicative translation. In his opinion, only the methods no. (4), (7), and (8) which can be called translation (see Benny Hoed, Op.Cit).
The main issue in translation, as stated by Benny Hoed, is a problem to search definition. Even if the definition has been found, every element that we define is still open to various interpretation. Thus the meaning of the “right” translation mostly depends on the outside factors. The first factor is the “text writer”, whose writing is not influenced by his/her education, readings and other outside factors. He/she has been in an intertextual network. The second factor is “translator”, who, in his effort to transfer the message of the source language is also not free from the said network. He/she has a central role in the process of translation, thanks to the decision he/she has made to choose whether he/she uses a foreignization of ideology, i.e. emphasizing the source language with all its implications and domestication ideology, i.e. emphasizing the the source language with all its implications. The third factor is the “readers”, as they are in the same network, they can have various interpretation of the texts they read. The fourth factor is the difference of “norms” prevailing in the target and source languages. The fifth factor is the “culture” behind the target language. The sixth factor is the “topics” of the text which can be comprehended differently by the text writer and translator, as well as the readers.
From the above description, we may jump to a conclusion that the translators are the most responsible persons because they must be capable of understanding the world of the text in the source language and the world of the readers in the target language, and that no translation is completely right or wrong (Benny Hoed, Loc Cit).
“Right or Wrong concept in translation
The relativity of the right or wrong in the translation results in a difficulty in judging a translation. Newmark divided this issue into six points of views about the translation. The first is translation as a science. In this point of view, a translation is considered as right or wrong based on linguistic criteria so that the fault is absolute. The second point of view is translation as a craft. In this case a translation has a readible level which is better than other translation. This is not absolute. The third one is translation as an art. This view is related to the translation of literature or lyrics. “The art” will be reached by searching the words or saying having a close meaning. The fifth one is translation as a taste. Thus the first point of view may have a “definite” right or wrong judgement. However, in the remaining point of views, we may have to question the reason made by the translators behind their preference. (Report of the Discussion on Relativity in Translation : the Issue of Right or Wrong accross the language, No 19/VIII/12, 2000, 1).
The first thing to note is the definite mistake in translation, found in various translation works.
Some samples of careless translation
1. Movie Dialogues
Retmono, in his writing, pointed out a wrong translation in the dialogues of some movies broadcasted in the television, such as:
* “Get me a shredder”. Translation: “Beri aku baju hangat.” Suggestion: Beri aku penghancur kertas.
* “He wrote a book about chivalry”. Translation: “Ia menulis buku tentang kavaleri”. Suggestion: Ia menulis tentang sifat-sifat ksatria.
* “A whole school of poetry”. Translation: “Sekolah-sekolah puisi”. Suggestion: Suatu aliran puisi tersendiri.
2. “Booklet” of Anniversary Party
A famous private company released a bilingual booklet during its anniversary containing the company’s profile. Below are the excerpts of some sentences in English.
*To be an excellence institution…
* It started for sale to the public…
*The vision that Indonesian future lives in tourism and believed…
* the title books sold were…
*Total omzet 2002:…
3. Translated Book
The following are some books with good translation. However there are some unnecessary mistakes.
a. Umberto Eco dan Cardinal Martini, 2001, Translator: Yudi Santoso, Beriman atau Tidak Beriman, Sebuah Konfrontasi, Pustaka Promothea, Surabaya. The original book is entitled “Belief or Unbelief, A Dialogue, Arcade Publishing”, New York, 2000.
*Saya melihat tak satu kitab suci pun yang rasional (p. 54). Translation: I see no scriptural rationale.
Comment: “rationale” is differred from “rational”.
*Perintah kesembilan melarang iri hati dengan istri orang lain (p. 55), which is translated from: The ninth commandment prohibits coveting another man’s woman.
Comment: the definition of “covet” is “sangat mendambakan”.
* …etika yang penuh dengan penghargaan yang dalam terhadap (p. 96), which is translated from: worthy of respect for…
Comment: “to be worthy of” is defined as “patut dihargai atas”
b. Ruth McVey (Ed) 1998, Translator: A Setiawan Abadi, Kaum Kapitalis Asia Tenggara, Penerbit Yaasan Obor, Jakarta. Orig. title: South East Asian Capitalists, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University, 1992.
* “…the Thai economy is now dominated not only by large firms but also that these have combined into…” (hal 37). Translation: “…perekonomian Thai kini bukan hanya didominasi oleh perusahaan-perusahaan besar ini telah bergabung menjadi…” (hal 57).
Comment: The sentence of this translation is not flowing.
* Liem had made a highly publicised takeover of the government’s Semen Madura…” (hal 79). Translation: “Liem mengambil alih, yang menjadi berita besar, Semen Merdeka…”
Comment: It is strange to separate the object (Semen Merdeka) from the predicate (mengambil alih).
* “…Indonesian owned and managed oil service companies…” (p. 101). Translation: “… perusahaan jasa perminyakan milik dan yang dikelola oleh orang Indonesia…”
Comment: Strange translation. Suggestion: “…perusahaan jasa perminyakan milik orang Indonesia dan yang dikelola oleh orang Indonesia…”
c. Rhoda E Howard, 2002, Terj: Nugraha Katjasungkana, HAM Penjelajahan Dalih Relativisme Budaya, Penerbit Pustaka Utama Grafiti, 2000. Orig. title: Human Rights and the Search for Community, Wetsview Press, 1995.
* “美國時下保護人權是Perforce的自由社會。” (hal 2). Translation: “國家現在保護由自由社會的條件下被迫人權......”(hal 2).
Comment: 這個翻譯產生來自源文本的遠不同的含義，由於這個詞的解釋“的Perforce”.
Suggestion: “國家是現在保護人權是一個自由的國家強制.
* “平等的地位在聯合國人權制度保護” (hal 11). Translation: “平等保護聯合國人權制度的狀態......” (hal 16).
Comment: 在源文本單詞“政權”是指“組織什麼的制度”, 而在印尼手段單詞“rezim”“pemerintahan陽berkuasa”。
* ......“兩個社會潮流......鼓勵無視差......” (p. 20). Translation: “兩個社會趨勢......鼓勵窮人退化......” (hal 31).
Comment: “漠視” (忽視) 是不相同的“degradasi” (降低質量, etc.).
* 辯論的可能性不滿... (hal 215). Translation: 最有可能的辯論不喜歡... (p. 340).
Comment: 短語“的可能性非常”的意思是“Kemungkinan德巴ITU sendiri ......”
d. 凱倫·阿姆斯特朗, 2001, Terj: Zainul上午, 神史, Publisher: 米贊, Bandung. Orig. title, 神的歷史, 釀酒, 1999.
* ......不僅是一個理想的朝這名男子必須領導 (第30頁). 這句話是從翻譯 : “......不只是一種理想對男人和女人應該嚮往......(p 5).
Comment: 這是印尼的外資結構的句子被軟件寫.
* ...西閃米特語族, 其中，希伯來文是其中之一 (hal 37). 譯自: “..spoke西閃米特語, 其中希伯來文是一“ (hal 11).
Comment: 使用在翻譯句中的“陽魔法”使得非標準結構.
* “......諸神你列祖服務... (hal 53). 從INI翻譯: “......神你的祖先服... (hal 24).
Comment: 這也是印尼的外資結構的句子被軟件寫.
* 這本書經常使用的單詞“risalah” (例如，在頁 75, 76) 這是從詞“消息”被翻譯的 (第42頁, 43).
Comment: “Risalah”是指“一個問題，在科學短組成”. “消息”的定義是“pesan”.
e. 一個戴爾Timpe (編輯。), 1991, Terj: Susanto Budidharmo, 在企業管理科學和藝術系列, 領導, 領導, 由PT ELEX媒體Komputindio Publised, Jakarta.
* 我決定找出一種方法是研究... (hal 33). Translation: 我決定一個方式來學習......“” (hal 41).
Comment: 譯者已經錯過翻譯單詞“查找”，並添加了字丹“瓊脂”會導致誤導源文本的意義.
* ......在你自己的話重述你認為你明白 (hal 36). Translation: “......在你自己的話重複你認為什麼是你自己的感覺.
Comment: 翻譯“你認為你明白什麼”變成“APA陽安達pahami menurut安達”更清晰，比上述譯文更簡單.
*......那還不是因為執行的生命的一半我必然要捲入麻煩 (hal 42). Translation: 這並不意味著行政生命的一半由問題 (hal 51).
Comment: 譯者改變了句子的意思，錯過翻譯單詞“”，因為“, 並添加單詞“berarti”.
*...帕累托原則在你的靜物應用...可以幫助你成為更有效的管理者... (hal 37). Translation: “......在你生活中運用帕累托原則......可以讓你更有效的管理者 (hal 45).
Comment: 添加在句子開頭的單詞“dengan”會導致句子有一個主體不明確.
*...它是更難發現那幾個誰擁有管理意志 (hal 39). Translation: ...更多難以少量再次評估人，他們有管理的意願 (hal 46).
Comment: 單詞“當場”的measning是“mendeteksi。”這句話“那幾個誰擁有管理意志”已經模糊的意思“manusia尋找及體驗jumlah sedikit丹memiliki ......”
還有在翻譯錯誤的一些樣品，我們必須避免，如果我們想在一個良好和正確的方式講印尼語.
我們應該做什麼?
為了提高翻譯的質量, 譯者應該激勵自己，以符合行為譯者代碼不斷研究. 譯者應該有一個專業的精益求精和智力，道德操守. 以此目的, 在翻譯家協會和翻譯中心預計將與任何一本書協會和大學提供翻譯教學和編輯，以提高這種學習設施研討會的質量共同努力, 討論和培訓翻譯和編輯.
阿方索Taryadi, 印尼翻譯工作者協會主席 (HPI)
(這種寫作是作家的工作文件的摘錄, 翻譯質量, 誰負責? 他對印尼翻譯協會的討論期間提出, 11 Oktober 2003, 在中心Bhasawa MONE舉行, Rawamangun, Jakarta).
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