TRANSLATION

1.1    Definition of Translation

There are some definitions of translation. Nida states that translation consist of reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalence of the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style. Newmark in Rudi Hartono states that translation is rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text.

Newmark (1981: 7) defines translation as “a craft consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one language by the same message and/or statement in another language”.

From the definition above the translation has the same term “equivalence”. The meaning, context, though, or message of both source of reproducing in the receptor language, the closest natural are equivalent to the message of source language. The first is meaning and secondly is style. The message of source language must equivalent. The reader of translation who knows the target language only will be confused if the target language is influenced by the source language.

Meanwhile the result of translation must be transferring the meaning of the source language clearly. In order to make the clear meaning of source language, it is expected that the meaning of target language can be understood by the readers. So, the result of translation must be readable. In target language, readability is needed, because it makes the readers easier to catch the content of the translation text, conversely when the translation text is not readable. It will make the readers difficult to understand the content of the text well.

Based on many definitions above, the writer assumes that the translation is a process of transferring thoughts and message from the source language to the target language, in the form of written or spoken.

Translation is a activity change information from the source language into the target language.

a.       Simatupang (2000:2) says that translation is a shift of meaning contained in the source language into the target language and make it happen again in the target language with forms as natural as possible in accordance with the applicable rules.

b.       Wills (1982:112) says that translation is a procedure that is performed to guide the realization of the transfer of the source language text is written to the target language text.

c.       Bassnett (1991:2) says that what is generally understood as a process of translation involves referral source language text (SL = Source Language) into the target language.

d.      Larson (1984:3) say that the translation includes translating the source language into the language of the recipient, which begins the first language of form towards the form of a second language using semantic language structure. In this case meaning are transferred and must be adhered to. Only the shape is changed.

e.       Newmark (1982:7) states that translation is a skill that consists of efforts to change the message and or a written statement from one language to the message and or similar statements in other languages.

f.       Malinowski (1956:11-2) cited by (1999:1) says that translation should always be a re-creation of the original source into something different in depth. In other words, the translation is not an activity to replace or substitute word for word, but a translation of the entire context. Malinowski (1956:11-2) cited by (1999:1) says that translation should always be a re-creation of the original source into something different in depth. In other words, the translation is not an activity to replace or substitute word for word, but a translation of the entire context.

g.      The New International Dictionary Webster's (2002:1428) gives a definition that means preparing translate into another language; uncover in other terms; explain is by using other words.

h.      Catford (1965:20) says that can be is defined as follows: the replacement of textual material in one language (source language) to another language textual material (target language) equivalent.

i.        Baker (1992:5-6) says that equivalensi adopted for the sake of convenience - because most translators are familiar with it and not because it has the theoretical status. Equivalensi used with the proviso, that although it is always obtained at a certain level, it can be influenced by a variety of linguistic and cultural factors, and therefore always relative.

j.         Steiner (1994:103) says that translation can be seen as a (co) generation of text which is pedestrianized special restrictions, the relative stability of situational factors, registers and changes in the classical languages ​​as well (context) culture.

k.      Meanwhile, Beekman and Callow (1974: 19) says the translation is to communicate a message from one language into a different language.
From all the above definitions we can conclude that the translation is the process of moving information from one language as stated in the source language into another language known as the target language, with no change in the authenticity of the information from the source language.

l.        In 1992, Mona Baker believed that it is necessary for translator to have knowledge about semantics and lexical sets and the value of the words in source language. She mentioned that a translator can develop strategies for dealing with non-equivalence semantic field. These strategies are arranged hierarchically from general (superordinate) to specific (hyponym).

1.2    Group of words: Phrase, word group, idiom and proverb

2.2.1. Definition of phrase

Phrase: a short group of words which are often used together or a sequence of two or more words arranged in a grammatical construction and acting as a conceptual/single unit in a sentence as the highlighted expression in the following sentences: We are governed by an 'elective dictatorship'.(Used as noun/object of pre-by). The house at the end of the street belongs to a famous player. (Used as noun and subject of the sentence).

A phrase is a semantically meaningful sequence of words. A phrase is not typically a complete sentence. I consider a phrase to be more like a grammatical construct e.g. needless to say, causing permanent bodily harm, way of the world. A small group of related words within a sentence or clause. Adjective: phrasal. A phrase functions as a part of speech and includes a head (or headword), which determines the nature of the unit.

2.2.1.1 Principal types of phrase, there are:

1.      Absolute Phrase
"Still he came on, shoulders hunched, face twisted, wringing his hands, looking more like an old woman at a wake than an infantry combat soldier."
(James Jones, The Thin Red Line)

2.         Adjective Phrase
"It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar."
(Jerome K. Jerome)

3.         Adverb Phrase
"Movements born in hatred very quickly take on the characteristics of the thing they oppose."
(J. S. Habgood)

4.         Gerund Phrase
"Failing the exam was a major disappointment to him, to me and to Eva."
(Judith Hubback, From Dawn to Dusk).

5.         Infinitive Phrase

“To laugh is to live profoundly.”
(Milan Kundera, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting).

6.      Noun Phrase
"Buy a big bright green pleasure machine!"
(Paul Simon)

7.      Participial Phrase
"He moved ahead more quickly now, dragging his heels a little in the fine dust."
(John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath)

8.      Prepositional Phrase
"I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought I'd rather dance with the cows until you come home."
(Groucho Marx)

9.      Verb Phrase
"Your father may be going away for a little while."
(Ellen Griswold in Vacation, 1983)

A phrase is only potentially complex. In other words, the term is also used to refer to 'one-word phrases,' i.e. non-prototypical phrases that consist of a head only. Thus the sentence Jill smokes is a combination of a noun phrase and a verb phrase." (Renaat Declerck, Susan Reed, and Bert Cappelle, The Grammar of the English Tense System: A Comprehensive Analysis. Mouton de Gruyter, 2006)

2.2.2 Definition of word group

            A group of words, usually containing a verb, which expresses a thought in the form of a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation and starts with a capital letter when written:

 He's very impatient and always interrupts me mid-sentence. Your conclusion is good, but the final sentence is too long and complicated.

2.2.3 Definition of Idiom

 Idiom is more subtle. It can be informal or merely non-literal, and either a phrase or a complete sentence. Here are two examples of idioms that are also phrases:

• brick and mortar (a traditional business, in contrast to e-commerce)
• town and gown (when a school or university is in close proximity with a surrounding community, this is a way of distinguishing between academicians or students versus local residents who are not affiliated with the school)

Here's the subtle part: It requires an idiomatic understanding of language to use these non-obvious forms of speech correctly. Idioms resemble metaphors, but are more general.

Here's my take. You wrote here idiomatic phrases and expressions (ex. needless to say is not “random”), which do not necessarily equal idioms but they have an idiomatic, common usage touch. These are also called phrasal idioms, idiomatic/common expressions, set phrase, etc. And they have subtle meanings, given by you, which however can be obscured in common language.

In addition to that, phrase and expression have additional strictly grammatical meanings. So that a phrase consists of typical two or more words (what Kate Gregory mentions). A phrase can be a sentence but usually is not. An expression is the more general case and can be a word.

            Idiom: group of words in a fixed order forming an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements/words, as to "have bitten off more than you can chew" is an idiom that means you have tried to do something which is too difficult for you. You have added fuel to the fire. It means you say/do something that makes a difficult situation worse.

The Translation of idioms: difficulties

An idiom or a fixed expression may have no equivalent in the target language. One language may express a given meaning: word, a transparent fixed expression, an idiom, etc.

Idioms and fixed expressions may be culture-specific

Say when

Yours faithfully

To carry coals to Newcastle

2.2.3.1 Types of idiom

            According to Fernando (1996: 35), idioms can be grouped into three sub-classes: pure idioms, semi-idioms and literal idioms. A pure idiom is a type of "conventionalized, non-literal multiword expression" whose meaning cannot be understood by adding up the meanings of the words that make up the phrase. For example the expression 'spill the beans' is a pure idiom, because its real meaning has nothing to do with beans. A semi-idiom, on the other hand, has at least one literal element and one with a non-literal meaning. 'Foot the bill' (i.e. 'pay') is one example of a semi idiom, in which 'foot' is the non-literal element, whereas the word 'bill' is used literally. Finally, literal idioms, such as 'on foot' or 'on the contrary' are semantically less complex than the other two, and therefore easier to understand even if one is not familiar with these expressions.

2.2.3 Definition of proverbs

A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim.

Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible (including, but not limited to the Book of Proverbs) and medieval Latin (aided by the work of Erasmus) have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe. Mieder has concluded that cultures that treat the Bible as their "major spiritual book contain between three hundred and five hundred proverbs that stem from the Bible." However, almost every culture has examples of its own unique proverbs.

Proverb: a short sentence, etc., usually known by many people, stating something commonly experienced or giving advice or a short popular saying, usually of ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; .

Slow and steady wins the race"

A bad cause requires many words.

A broken hand works, but not a broken heart