2025/1 Translation

Over-translation and Under-translation 

 Over-translation happens when the translator translates a sentence, a clause, or a phrase in the source language longer than it should be. His work adds something to the real meaning intended in the text of the source language. Under-translation happens when the translator reduces the meaning. This is caused by the different language structure between the source and the target language. The fact that a translation may be longer or shorter than the original does not determine the quality of the translation. 

 Figurative senses of lexical items

Translators must be aware of three senses which occur within words. 1) primary sense is a sense which come to minds when the word is cited in isolation. 2) secondary sense, a sense which is dependent upon context for an indication of the sense intended. 3) figurative sense, a sense based on associative relations with the primary sense. 

 1. Metonymy: the use of words in a figurative sense which involves association. E.g. The kettle is boiling. Figurative senses cannot usually be translated with a literal form of the word. 

 2. Synecdoche: figurative senses based on partwhole relationship. E.g. a. Don’t tell a soul. (person) b. There are a lot of lonely hearts out there. (person) c. She said it to my face. (me) 3. Euphemism We use euphemism to avoid offensive expressions which are considered unpleasant, racist, or sexist. Euphemism is usually used for expressions in the area of sex, death, and supernatural. E.g. to die (pass away) – meninggal, gugur, berpulang; orang tidak punya (poor people), bercinta (to have sex), mau ke belakang (go to the restroom to mean simply to urinate), etc. 

 4. Hyperbole: hyperbole is the deliberate exaggeration of metonymy or synecdoche used for effect of what is saying and is not meant to be understood as if it were a literal explanation. E.g. I’m freezing to death – I’m very cold. To translate a hyperbole translators must find an equivalent which evokes the same effect. 

 A change caused by translation 

 To express the meaning, a language has its own way in using linguistic devices. E.g. plural s – reduplication (kids – anak-anak), he/she – dia, passive sentence in Bahasa Indonesia may change into active sentence in English, etc. The changes may not only cover textual language but also cover semantic and cultural adjustment.