Translation Techniques

Yosafat B. Valentino
Translation techniques
according to Molina &
Albir (2002)
 – To replace a ST cultural element with one from the target culture
– Also called cultural equivalent (Newmark, 1988: 82), cultural
substitution (Baker, 1992: 31), or padanan budaya (Hoed, 2006: 12)
Adaptation – E.g.
SL : Sincerely yours (Eng)
TL : Hormat saya (Ind)
 – To introduce details that are not formulated in the ST:
information, explicative paraphrasing

Amplification – E.g.
SL : Ramadhan (Arabic/Ind)
TL : Ramadhan, the Muslim month of fasting (Eng)
 – To take a word or expression straight from another language. It
can be pure (without any change), or it can be naturalized (to fit
the spelling rules in the TL)
– E.g.
1. Pure:
SL : blog (Eng)
Borrowing TL : blog (Ind)

2. Naturalized:
SL : computer (Eng)
TL : komputer (Ind)
 – Literal translation of a foreign word or phrase; it can be lexical or
structural

Calque – E.g.
SL : formal education (Eng)
TL : pendidikan formal (Ind)
 – To introduce a ST element of information or stylistic effect in
another place in the TT because it cannot be reflected in the same
place as in the ST
Compensation – E.g.
SL : Suratnya akan segera dikirimkan kepada Bapak. (Ind)
TL : The letter will soon be sent to you, Sir. (Eng)
 – To replace a term or expression with a description of its form
or/and function
– Also called descriptive equivalent
Description – E.g.
SL : panettone (Eng/Ita)
TL : kue tradisional Italia yang dimakan pada saat tahun baru
(Ind)
 – To establish a temporary equivalence that is totally unpredictable
out of context
– E.g.
Discursive SL : Seperti Dendam, Rindu harus DibayarTuntas (Ind)
creation TL : Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash*) (Eng)

*)Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
 – To use a term or expression recognized (by dictionaries or
language in use) as an equivalent in the TL
Established – E.g.
equivalent SL : They are as like as two peas. (Eng)
TL : Mereka bagaikan pinang dibelah dua. (Ind)
 – To use a more general or neutral term
– E.g.
Generalization SL : He just sold his mansion. (Eng)
TL : Dia baru saja menjual rumahnya. (Ind)
 – To add linguistic elements
Linguistic – E.g.

amplification SL : No way! (Eng)

TL : Tidak mungkin itu terjadi! (Ind)
 – To synthesize linguistic elements in the TT
– The opposite of linguistic amplification
Linguistic – E.g.
compression SL :Yes, so what? (Eng)
TL : Terus? (Ind)
 – To translate a word or an expression word for word
Literal – E.g.

translation SL : I will ring you. (Eng)

TL : Saya akan mengebel Anda. (Ind)
 – To change the point of view, focus or cognitive category in relation
to the ST; it can be lexical or structural

Modulation – E.g.
SL : Nobody hates it. (Eng)
TL : Semua menyukainya. (Ind)
 – To use a more precise or concrete term
– The opposite of generalization
Particularization – E.g.
SL : They grow rice. They eat rice. (Eng)
TL : Mereka menanam padi. Mereka memakan nasi. (Ind)
 – To suppress a ST information item in the TT
– The opposite of amplification
– E.g.
Reduction
SL : They eat wajik, Indonesian sticky rice diamond shaped
cake. (Eng)
TL : Mereka memakan wajik. (Ind)
 – To change linguistic elements for paralinguistic elements
(intonation, gestures) or vice versa
– E.g.

Substitution SL : a. Visiting relatives can be boring. (Eng)

b. Visiting relatives can be boring. (Eng)
TL : a. Mengunjungi keluarga bisa jadi membosankan. (Ind)
b. Kunjungan dari keluarga bisa jadi membosankan. (Ind)
 – To change a grammatical category
– E.g.
Transposition SL : I have no control over my thoughts. (Eng)
TL : Aku tak bisa mengendalikan pikiranku. (Ind)
 – To change linguistic or paralinguistic elements (intonation,
gestures) that affect aspects of linguistic variation: changes of
textual tone, style, social dialect, geographical dialect, etc.
– E.g.
Variation SL : …it changed pretty much the whole Internet, remember?
You can't visit a single site on this here web – ours
included – (Eng)
TL : …seluruh Internet jadi beda waktu itu, kan? Kalian ‘nggak
bisa buka situs apapun di mari – punya kita2 juga – (Ind)