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The Translation Quality Assessment of “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” Comic Published by KOMPAS
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Requirement
For the Sarjana Degree in English Department
By
KUSUMA WIDI NUSANTI C 1307506
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
SURAKARTA
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iv
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name : Kusuma Widi Nusanti
Student Number : C 1307506
Pronounces truthfully that the thesis entitled The Translation Quality
Assessment of “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” Comic Published by
KOMPAS is originally made by the researcher. It is not a plagiarism nor is made
by other people. The statements which are not the researcher’s own statements are
written in quotation and included within the bibliography.
If this pronouncement is proved incorrect in the future, the researcher is
ready to accept academicals sanction in the form of the withdrawal of academic
title.
Surakarta, December 2011
The Researcher
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v MOTTO
“Surely with difficulty is ease. With difficulty is
surely eased”
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vi
DEDICATION
I whole heartedly dedicate this thesis to:
My Beloved Mother
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vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This thesis is the last stage in the obtaining Sarjana Sastra degree. There
are some people who helped and gave support, affection, and trust to finish this
thesis. It is a pleasure to thank the many people who made this thesis possible.
1. Drs. Riyadi Santoso, M. Ed, Ph. D., The Dean of Faculty of Letters and
during my study, giving an approval and a permission to write this thesis.
5. A very special thank to Prof. Drs. M.R. Nababan, M. Ed., M.A., Ph. D. He
gave me the confidence, trust, and support with some strong words of
encouragement. Thank you does not seem sufficient but definitely it is said
with appreciation and respect.
6. My mother Heruwati Kristintin Kusumaningsih and my late father Widi
Rahmanto. I wish to thank for your million loves, patience and supports. I
can’t express my love in the beautiful words but I wish you know that I am
very proud of you. I am sorry for being stubborn, but I promise that I will
never make you disappointed again. Especially thanks to my late Dad, he
is the biggest loss in my life and the biggest inspiration to finish my study.
My little brothers Wisnu Widiaswara and Ilham Yusuf Widiansyah, thank
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viii
thank you for your loves and patience. Thank you for being the best
support ever I have.
7. I would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of some very special
individuals. They help me immensely with encouragement, affection and
friendships. H. Sutiyono, S.H., M.H., and family for their support and care
to me, my mother and my brothers. Drs. H. Badrun, M. Si, thank you for
your support and care to me and also thank you for being my “Dad”. Dra.
Dwiyani Prasetyanti for their affection and patience. Eky, Lia, Mega,
Wulan, Muftia, Inna, and my friends in English Department Extension
2007, especially Translation Studies (Sitti, Indah, Luki, Dinar, Yuli, Retna,
mbak Dian, Sukma, Henny, Anis).
8. LPM KENTINGAN and KALPADRUMA Sebelas Maret University, for
the KOMPAS collections. For those who have not been listed yet, thank
you so much for the support and assistance.
Surakarta, December 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE APPROVAL OF THE SUPERVISOR ………. i
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ……….. ii
PRONOUNCEMENT ………... iii
MOTTO ………. iv
DEDICATION ……….. v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ………... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……….. viii
LIST OF TABLES ……….. xi
ABSTRACT ……….. xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1. Research Background ……….. 1
2. Research Problem ……… 6
3. Research Objectives ……… 7
4. Research Limitation ……… 7
5. Research Benefits ……… 7
6. Thesis Organization ………. 8
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1. Translator and Translation ……….. 9
1.1. Translator ………. 9
1.2. Translation ……… 9
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3. The Criteria of Quality Translation ………. 10
3.1. Accuracy ……… 11
CHAPTER IV: RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 1. Introduction ………. 29
2. Research Findings ………... 29
2.1.The Quality of Translated Text: Accuracy, Acceptability, Readability ……… 29
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2.1.1.1. Classification A.1 (Accurate) ……… 36
2.1.1.2. Classification A.2 (Less Accurate) ……… 41
2.1.1.3. Classification A.3 (Inaccurate) ……….. 46
2.1.2. The Acceptability of the Translation ……….. 48
2.1.2.1. Classification B.1 (Acceptable) ………. 48
2.1.2.2. Classification B.2 (Less Acceptable) …………. 52
2.1.2.3. Classification B.3 (Unacceptable) ………. 56
2.1.3. The Readability of the Translation ………. 61
2.1.3.1. Classification C.1 (Readable) ……… 60
2.1.3.2. Classification C.2 (Less Readable) ……… 63
2.1.3.3. Classification C.3 (Unreadable) ………. 67
3. Discussion ……… 67
3.1. The Quality of the Translation in terms of Accuracy, Acceptability and Readability ………. 67
3.1.1. Accuracy ………. 67
3.1.2. Acceptability ……… 68
3.1.3. Readability ………... 69
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ……….. 70
1. Conclusion ……… 71
2. Suggestion ………. 71
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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xii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Accuracy Scale ……….. 30
Table 2: Acceptability Scale..……….. 30
Table 3: Readability Scale……….... 31
Table 4: Accuracy Level of Translation………... 32
Table 5: Acceptability Level of Translation……… 33
Table 6: Readability Level of Translation……… 34
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xiii ABSTRACT
Kusuma Widi Nusanti. C1307506. The Translation Quality Assessment of
“THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” Comic Published by KOMPAS.
Undergraduate Thesis: English Department, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. 2011.
This thesis belongs to a descriptive research. This research aims to describe the quality assessment of the “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” into Indonesian that covers accuracy, acceptability and readability.
This research applies total sampling technique.The total number of data is 308 sentences. Two methods of data collection are employed: content analysis used to obtain data from both source texts and target text, and questionnaire used to gather data concerning the accuracy, acceptability and readability scale. The accuracy and acceptability of the translated text are rated by three raters while its readability is rated by three target readers or respondents.
The Translation Quality Assessment of “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” Comic Published by KOMPAS
Kusuma Widi Nusanti1
Prof. Drs. M. R. Nababan, M. Ed, M.A, Ph. D2
ABSTRACT
2011. Thesis: English Department, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. 2011.
Thisthesis belongs to a descriptive research. This research aims to describe the quality assessment of the “THE AMAZING SPIDER
-MAN” into Indonesian that covers accuracy, acceptability and readability.
This research applies total sampling technique.The total number of data is 308 sentences. Two methods of data collection are employed: content analysis used to obtain data from both source texts and target text, and questionnaire used to gather data concerning the accuracy, acceptability and readability scale. The accuracy and acceptability of the translated text are rated by three raters while its readability is rated by three target readers or respondents.
The result of this research shows that 308 translations of sentences
in “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”, 258 data (83.8%) are accurate, 48 data (15.6%) are less accurate and 2 data (0.6%) are inaccurate. The mean score of the accuracy level of the translation is 2.8. In terms of acceptability, 253 data (82.1%) are acceptable,
Mahasiswa Jurusan Sastra Inggris dengan NIM C1307506 2
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. Research Background
Along with the globalization era, knowledge on science, technology and
literature are growing fast. It is followed by the usage of English in some fields
that also increases. This phenomenon is proven by the large number of scientific
books and literary works which are written in English. Beside that, some
television programs such as films or reality shows are also adopted from abroad.
In fact, some of Indonesian people understand the foreign language well,
especially English.
However, they still find some difficulties to understand the messages of
scientific books, literary works or television programs that are expressed in the
foreign language. To understand the content and meaning, people need someone
who understand and are able to speak the foreign language, such as English, as a
mediator. These mediators are people who mediate both sides, the writer of the
original work and the readers who do not understand English language. They are
called the translator, while the process of transferring messages from source
language into target language is called translation.
The process of translating however is not as simple and as easy as people
think. In the process of translating, a translator may find some difficulties in doing
his job, whether linguistic or extra-linguistic. Linguistic culture, social culture,
and material culture are examples of obstacles faced by the translator. Nida states
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that the difficulties in translation are caused by some problems, as follows:
ecological problem, social culture, material culture, religious culture, and
linguistic culture. Translator should transfer ideas, thoughts and messages from
source language into target language. Concerning literary works, besides being
capable to speak and understand well the two different languages; a translator has
to have a deep knowledge about the cultural background of the country from
which the literary works will be translated. A translator is called a good translator
or a successful translator when he is able to transfer the text from a source
language into a target language without making any omissions of the important
message within the source text so that the target readers will have perfect
information of a translated text. According to Nida, “the translator first analyzes
the message of source language into its simplest and structurally clearest forms,
transfer it at this level and then restructure it to the level in the receptor language
which is most appropriate for the audience which he intends to reach” (1975:80).
As we know, one of the purposes of translating the literary work is to
entertain the reader and give additional knowledge. They have some benefits in
spending their leisure time by reading the comics, books, newspapers, novels and
so on.
The population of comic’s lovers has more significantly increased,
especially among Indonesian’s children. To overcome this situation some
publishers in Indonesia translate the English or Japanese comics into Indonesian.
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One of the English comics that are translated into Indonesian is
Spider-man. Gilbert states that Spider-man comic especially entitled “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” is the most popular superheroes comics in the world (2008).
“THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comic has been translated into some
languages, including Indonesia. This comic is targeted for all ages, from children
(with parental advisory) to adult readers. Even more, the stories from Spiderman
comic have been filmed in some titles or versions and broadcasted at the movie
theaters in Indonesia.
Based on those reasons, KOMPAS as one of national printed media has
published an entertaining comic for its readers; it is “THE AMAZING SPIDER
-MAN” comic series. This comic is originally written by Stan Lee and Larry
Lieber, published by Marvel Characters, Inc and distributed by King Features
Syndicate. KOMPAS then re-published and presented “THE AMAZING
SPIDER- MAN” comic in the source language, English. At the same time, the
translation into Indonesian language was carried.
Considering the fact above, this research will study the translation of
“THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comics published by KOMPAS. This research
will be specified on the quality assessment of the comic’s translation seen from
the accuracy, acceptability and readability level of the translated text.
Translating comics is different from translating other forms of text. Being
considered from the sentence structures, translating comics is easy because comics
have short sentences and simple structures. Nevertheless, the fact is not as the way
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often may seem deceptively so, since the language of comics rarely contains
complex or poetic sentence structure, specialized terminology or highly abstract
concepts. However, comic books and comics strips do have certain characteristics
that make them much more demanding for the translator than one might think.
The same perspective also stated by Jukka Heiskanen (1990, in Koponen,
2004:1) that comics have some parts: the dialogues, the sense of humor and the
events of history that makes it difficult to find the appropriate words equivalent
from the source language in the target language. Besides, the limited place for the
words or sentences in the squares or bubbles of comics and other aspects like
onomatopoeia and puns (wordplay) emerge some difficulties. Problems in
translating comics will be more difficult but is still challenging because usually
translator will be given the short time to do his works (ibid, 2004:1).When a
translator translates literary works like comics in English into Indonesian, a
translator is also challenged to produce a high quality translation which does not
sound as a translation product. To produce a qualified translation in terms of
accurate, readable and acceptable translation a translator should understand the
ideas involved in the source text clearly and fully.
This research focuses on quality assessment of the comic’s translation seen
from the accuracy, acceptability and readability. A translator must be able to
preserve the meaning or message of the source text. An accurate translation means
that the translation is correct and appropriate, as stated by Larson, “the ideal
translation will be accurate as to meaning natural as to the receptor language
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Meanwhile, a translator also should be able to produce a natural translation
according to the target language system. Acceptability means that a translator is
supposed to convey the meaning or message in appropriate way to the linguistic
and cultural bounds of the target language, not the ones of the source language. In
addition, readability refers to how natural and easy a translation can be read and
understood. Richards et al (in Nababan, 2003:63) states that the readability
depends on the average length of sentence, amount of new words and grammatical
complexity of the language used.
Concerning with that, it will be given some examples to overview what
this research deals with. Those are the following examples:
Example 1:
043/685/PP/2009
ST: Wellll… not exactly!
TT: Yah, nggak juga sih!
As shown in the picture above, Well…not exactly is the specific expression and it is translated into Yah, nggak juga sih! It can be said that the translation is accurate and acceptable because the translation is more familiar for the target
readers.
Example 2 :
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ST: There’s a cool off-Broadway play called “Picture Perfect.”
TT: Ada pertunjukkan di Broadway berjudul “Picture Perfect.”
In the example above, there are terms Broadway and Picture Perfect. The
translator keeps the terms Broadway and Picture Perfect since the terms are
proper names, referring to a name of well known theater in New York, Broadway,
and title of show in the theater namely, Picture Perfect. This translation is
accurate, acceptable and readable.
2. Research Problems
Based on the research background, this research proposes some problems
as follows:
1. How is level of the accuracy of the translation of “THE AMAZING
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2. How is level of the acceptability of the translation of “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” comic?
3. How is level of the readability of the translation of “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” comic?
3. Research Objectives
The objectives of this research based on the research problems above are:
1. To identify the level of the accuracy of the translation of “THE
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comic.
2. To identify the level of the acceptability of the translation of “THE
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comic.
3. To identify the level of the readability of the translation of “THE
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comic.
4. Research Limitation
To achieve research objectives of the research problems, this study is
focused on the analysis of the translated sentences. In addition, the objectives of
the study are confined to the quality assessment of the comic’s translation seen
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5. Research Benefits
The researcher expects that this research will be beneficial for:
1. English Department Students
The result of this research can be used as an additional reference
for students in studying the translation subject, especially regarding the
accuracy, acceptability and readability of a translated text.
2. The lecturers
The result of this research can be used as additional information for
the lecturers in teaching translation.
3. Other researchers
The result of this research can be used to stimulate other
researchers to conduct further research related to this research from other
point of views, such as from accuracy, acceptability and readability of the
translation.
6. Thesis Organization
This research consists of five chapters. Each chapter is divided further and
arranged as follows:
Chapter I: INTRODUCTION consists of Research Background, Research
Problems, Research Objectives, Research Limitation, Research Benefits and
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Chapter II: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND consists of Definition of
Translator, Translation, Problems in Translation, The Criteria of Quality
Translation, Mass Media, and Comics.
Chapter III: RESEARCH METODOLOGY consists of Research Type and
Design, Source of Data, Sample and Sampling Technique, Method of Data
Collection, Technique of Data Analysis, Research Procedures.
Chapter IV: RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION covers of Analysis the
Quality of the Translation.
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CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
1. Translator and Translation
1.1. Translator
A translator is someone who has the capability to transfer written ideas
and message from one language to another language. According to Bell (1991:15)
that the translator has been defined as a bilingual mediating agent between
monolingual communications participants in two different language communities,
i.e. the translator decodes messages transmitted in one language and re-encodes
them in another. Nababan (2008:63) defines that translator is someone who has
the capability to transfer written ideas from one language to another language.
1.2. Translation
In general, translation means a process of transferring message from
source language into target language. To know closely about translation, it is
better to consider some definitions of translation proposed by experts. Bell argues
that translation is the replacement of a representation of a text in one language by
a representation of an equivalent text in a second language (1991:6). Meanwhile,
Brislin defines that translation is the general term referring to the transfer of
thoughts and ideas from one language (source) to another (target), whether the
languages are in written or oral form; whether the languages have established
orthographies or do not have such standardization or whether one or both
language is based on signs, as with sign languages of the deaf, (1976:1).
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Mildred Larson also defines that translation consists of transferring the
meaning of the source language into receptor language. This is done by going
from the form of the first language to the form of a second language by way of
semantic structure. It is meaning which is being transferred and must be held
constant. Only the form changes. (1984:3).
2. Problems in Translation
In the process of translating, a translator may find some problems in doing
his job. The problems occurred commonly related to difficulties in transferring the
message or the content of the text as well as its form and style because translation
is not merely changing the language into another. Translation is a complicated
activity which requires some specific competence of the translator to result in a
good quality of product. Newmark states that “…you may see it as complicated,
artificial, and fraudulent, since by using another language you are pretending to be
someone you are not.” (1988:5).
3. The Criteria of Quality Translation
A translator will find some problems in transferring source language text
into target language text accurately. The problems can be overcome by applying
the method, strategy or techniques of translation. Besides using those the three
ways, the translator has to pay attention to the accuracy, acceptability, and
readability. Those criteria of quality become one of the important things to
identify whether a translator can produce an accurate, readable, and acceptable
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3.1. Accuracy
According to Baker’s statement, which says “Accuracy is no doubt an
important aim in translation but it is also important to bear in mind that the use of
common target-language patterns which are familiar to the target reader plays an
important role in keeping the communication channels open,” (1992:57). From the
statement, it can be seen that accurate means reproducing as exactly as possible
the meaning or message of the source text. Meanwhile, Nababan argues that there
are three main points in quality evaluation of a translation: 1) the accuracy of
sounds natural for the target reader rather than that of “reading as the original” in
the source language (SL)”.
3.3. Readability
The quality of the text can be identified through the readability of the text,
whether the message is clear or not for the target readers. Readability refers to the
quality of the written language and how a translation can be read and understood
naturally and easily. Nababan (1999:61) argues that the readability is important in
translation because translation cannot be separated from reading activity.
Nababan (2003:62) also states that the readability is the interaction of all elements
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is affected by the average length of sentence, amount of new words and
grammatical complexity of the language used.
4. Mass Media
Mass media is any medium used to transmit information about all fields to
people. Until recently, mass media is clearly defined and is comprised of the eight
mass media industries, such as books, newspapers, magazines, radio, movies,
television and the internet. Mass media as a medium which has function to give
information and education to the people. Siregar defines that “mass media has
function to give information and education, while the entertaining aspects
infiltrate into editorial cartoon form” (1995:24).
According to Bungin, mass media is used as a device which transforms
information from two directions; mass media into society or transform the
information among the society itself (2001:1).
5. Comics
5.1. Definition of Comics
Comics are a form of visual art which uses the motionless pictures and
arranged in such a way become a story. Generally, comics are printed on the paper
and completed by texts. Comics can be published in some forms, such as comics
strip in newspaper, magazine or published as comic’s book.
Scoot McCloud defines comics as follows:
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telling. In comics, creator transmits expression through arrangement and juxtaposition of either picture alone, or word(s) and picture(s) to build a narrative (1993:4).
Meanwhile, Juha Herkman (1998, in Koponen, 2004:4) defines comics as
a narrative told through a series of pictures, recurring characters, and combination
of dialogue or other types of text with the pictures. Whereas, Klaus Kaindl defines
comics more simply: comic is a series of at least two pictures telling a story.
(1999, in Koponen, 2004:5).
According to Robert C. Harvey (2001:76, in Koponen, 2004:5), the
combination of text and picture should be considered a more central feature than
the presence of two or more pictures. He also states that this definition could be
expanded to include wordless comics as an exception to the norm, since in his
opinion such comics are not common, although they do exist (ibid, 2004:5).
5.2. Aspects of Language
As has been stated above, comics consist of pictures, characters and
dialogues. Those are being as one in a comic’s story. The aspects of language of
those comics can be indicated into three aspects as follows:
5.2.1. Particular Language
In comics, we find many types of text. They are the character utterances
(in bubbles), the character thoughts (in bubbles), the narrator comments (in
narration boxes), and onomatopoeia words (in bubbles or combine to the pictures).
Koponen argues that both the typography and the speech bubble communicate
information on the tone and level of voice used by the character speaking. For
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while a bubble with thin or dotted lines symbolizes a whisper, while an angular
bubble is often used for sounds from radio or some electronic device (2004:11).
Meanwhile Khordoc (2001:156) in Koponen considers the speech and
thought bubbles in fact the most interesting feature of comics (ibid, 2004:11).
1. The examples of the character thoughts in balloons.
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4. The examples of onomatopoeic words
A large part of text in comics are the words expressed by the characters
and spoken language (the language that used in comic and the combination
between spoken language and written). Therefore, the words or vocabulary in
comics sometimes is very informal and it is low a register.
Commonly, the language of comic is not too challenging for the translator.
It is because of the text of comic composed by the simple sentences that are easy
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The picture above is one of the simple sentences in comics. Nevertheless,
the translator has to consider the particular characteristic of comic’s language to
make an accurate translation.
5.2.2. Puns (Wordplay)
According to Dirk Delabastita’s definition of wordplay:
“Wordplay is the general name for the various textual phenomena in which
structural features of the language(s) used are exploited in order to bring about a communicatively significant confrontation of two (or more) linguistic structures with more or lesssimilar forms and more or less different meanings” (1996, in Koponen, 2004:35).
Delabastita also defines puns or wordplay as “a deliberate communicative
strategy, or the result thereof, used with a specific semantic and pragmatic effect
in mind”. (in Simanjuntak, 2006:39). It has a different meaning on the same word,
or as the same meaning on the different word (Homonymy and Homophony). It is
clear that puns are one of the most interesting phenomena to study in translation
research.
According to Davis (1997, in Koponen, 2004:37), wordplay is not just one
(or more) words invoking the meaning of another word, but also explicitly refers
to the whole system of language itself, to some relation inside the system of the
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5.2.3. Onomatopoeia
Fromkin and Rodman (in Simanjuntak, 2006:40) stated that “A few word
in most languages are onomatopoeia – the sounds of the word supposedly imitate
the sounds of nature. Even here the sounds differ from one language to another,
reflecting the particular sounds system of the language”.
Koponen argues that onomatopoeic expressions, attempt to represent
visually the sounds connected to the events and emotional states expressed in the
pictures (2004:9).
Onomatopoeia words are one of the characteristics of comic’s language.
Some onomatopoeia words can be translated into English; rriing (sounds of
phone) has an equivalent in Indonesian; kriing, but roooar, bang! or bop! Words
do not have equivalents in Indonesian and the translator usually adopts the
English onomatopoeic words in its translation product.
For example:
The onomatopoeia “bakoom!” for the blast sounds is not properly known in TL
reverent. Therefore, the translator translates it into “duaar!” to create an
acceptable expression in Indonesian. At the same time, known in Indonesian’s
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CHAPTER IV
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
1. Introduction
As has been explained in chapter 1 and 3, this study aims to evaluate “The
Translation Quality Assessment of “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” Comic
Published by KOMPAS”. This chapter describes the results of data analysis,
which are the answers to the research questions. In chapter I, it has been explained
that there are three research questions this study tries to answer. They are:
1. How is level of the accuracy of the translation of “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” comic?
2. How is level of the acceptability of the translation of “THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN” comic?
readability level of the translation of “THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN” comic.
The researcher involves three raters who have certain qualification to assess the
accuracy, and acceptability of the translated text. The researcher also involves the
comic‟s readers (respondents) to answer the questionnaire in gaining the scale of
readability of the translated text.
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The raters are asked to fill the questionnaires by giving ratings to each
datum on its degree of accuracy, acceptability and readability after analyzing and
comparing the source text to the target text in accordance with the level
description. The questionnaires are in a form of close and open-ended
questionnaire. The raters and the respondents (target readers) determine the
accuracy, acceptability, and readability of the message rendered in the translation
by giving score to the translation based on the mentioned description.
The accuracy, acceptability, and readability of message transfer of the
translation are measured based on the following scales:
Table 1 Accuracy Scale
SCORE DESCRIPTION
1 Inaccurate, the message of the source text is not conveyed at all, i.e. it
is omitted or deleted.
2 Less Accurate, the message of the source text is less accurate
conveyed into the target text. Rewriting and some changes in word
order are needed.
3 Accurate, the message of the source text is perfectly and clearly
conveyed into the target text. No rewriting is needed.
Table 2 Acceptability Scale
SCORE DESCRIPTION
1 Unacceptable, the translated texts extremely sound like translation and
feel displease as Indonesian texts.
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some displeasing in terms of the words, phrases, and sentences in
target text, but almost sounds like natural.
3 Acceptable, the translated texts sound natural and appropriate with the
grammar structure of the target texts, almost does not feel like
translation.
Table 3 Readability Scale
SCORE DESCRIPTION
1 Unreadable, the reader completely does not comprehend the content of
the translated text.
2 Less unreadable, there is one difficult word or more found in the
translated text. However, the reader still manages to understand the
content of the dialogue.
3 Readable, the translated text is fully comprehended. The reader
understands the content of the dialogue.
After the raters or respondents complete the entire questionnaire, the
researcher makes statistical calculation to determine the mean of each datum by
applying a formula as the following table:
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When the statistical calculation is finished, the data are classified into
three groups, as can be seen below:
Table 4 Accuracy Level of the Translation
a. Classification A.1: Accurate, is the scale 1 and includes the data with mean
score 2.6 to 3.0.
b. Classification A.2: Less accurate, is the scale 2 and includes the data with mean
score 1.6 to 2.5.
c. Classification A.3: Inaccurate, is the scale 3 and includes the data with mean
score 1.0 to 1.5.
No .
Classification Number of Data Total Data Percentage
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Table 5 Acceptability Level of the Translation
a. Classification B.1: Acceptable, is the scale 1 and includes the data with mean
score 2.6 to 3.0.
b. Classification B.2: Less acceptable, is the scale 2 and includes the data with
mean score 1.6 to 2.5.
c. Classification B.3: Unacceptable, is the scale 3 and includes the data with mean
score 1.0 to 1.5.
No .
Classification Number of Data Total Data Percentage
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Table 6 Readability Level of the Translation
a. Classification C.1: Readable, is the scale 1 and includes the data with mean
score 2.6 to 3.0.
b. Classification C.2: Less Readable, is the scale 2 and includes the data with
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c. Classification C.3: Unreadable, is the scale 3 and includes the data with mean
score 1.0 to 1.5.
No .
Classification Number of Data Total Data Percentage
commit to user 287, 291
3 C.3 0 0 0%
Total 308 100%
2.1.1. The Accuracy of the Translation
Based on the table of accuracy above, of 308 data, 258 data (83.8%) are
categorized into classification A.1 or accurate translation, 48 data (15.6%) are
categorized into classification A.2 or less accurate translation, and 2 data (0.6%)
are categorized into classification A.3 or inaccurate translation.
2.1.1.1. Classification A.1 (Accurate)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be accurate
translation. It means that the message of original text is accurately conveyed and it
does not need any rewritings. There are 258 data (83. 8%) included in this
classification. The following data are the examples:
Example 1:
002/676/ES/2009
ST: But dad…I‟ve always known that you were Electro!
TT: Tapi Ayah…aku selalu tahu bahwa kaulah Electro!
In datum number 002 above, the source sentence is accurately translated
into Indonesian. It means that the translator conveys the content of the source text
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or delete any word of source text and does not change the message or content of
source text in target text. From the researcher‟s point of view, the message in the
example above has been accurately conveyed in the target language.
Example 2
006/677/ET/2009
ST: My brother promised to keep it a secret from you!
TT: Saudaraku berjanji untuk tetap memegang rahasia ini dari kamu!
The translation belongs to the category of accurate translation. From the
example, it is seen that the translator does not translate the words a in the source text which means sebuah in the target text. Although the word is not preserved in the target text, the message and sense are accurately delivered well in target text.
According to one of the raters, the phrase keep it a secret should be translated into
commit to user Example 3
015/679/SM/2009
ST: I can fix that!
TT: Aku bisa mengatasinya!
Datum number 015 also belongs to the category of an accurate translation.
The message is accurately conveyed into the target text without doing omission
and addition. Although one of the raters considers that the word fix should be translated into melepasnya rather than mengatasinya more appropriate with the picture and the dialogue before. The researcher assumes that the reader has
understood the message of the translation mengatasinya by seeing the picture where Spider-Man ripped the bound of Electro.
Example 4
074/692/MJ/2009
ST: See you, Tiger.
TT: Sampai jumpa, Macan.
To the example number 074, the source text is accurately translated into
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source text since they are written using simple sentences. Although there is a word
which is not translated i.e. the word you, but the message in the target textis still accurate and can be understood. The researcher argues that the proper name Tiger
should be translated into Jagoan rather than Macan since the term Jagoan more appropriate with the story where the main character Peter Parker as a hero
Spider-Man. While, in Indonesian language the term Jagoan is familiar with the term hero or a champion.
Example 5
220/756/DO/2009
ST: If you want to leave here alive, Wolverine… Tell me how to create that
indestructible metal…Adamantium!
TT: Kalau kau mau keluar dari sini hidup-hidup, Wolverine. Beritahu bagaimana
caranya membuat logam yang tak dapat rusak—Adamantium!
The example number 220 is accurately translated into Indonesia. The
translator translates indestructible metal into logam yang tak dapat rusak and borrows the term Adamantium in the source text above. Nevertheless, the translator does not omit any words from the source text and does not change the
content of source text into target text. The translator conveys the content of the
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the source text has been transferred well and accurately. The researcher supports
the rater‟s assessment that the message and meaning of the source text is fully and
clearly transferred into the target text and assumes this translation is accurate.
Example 6
221/756/WV/2009
ST: Are you kiddin‟?!! I‟m a mutant…not a blasted scientist!
TT: Kau bercanda?? Aku adalah seorang mutant, bukan ilmuwan!
Datum number 221 also belongs to the category of an accurate translation.
Two of the raters have the same opinion that even though the word blasted is not translated into Indonesian it not reduces the meaning of source text. In Indonesian
commit to user Example 7
252/764/SM/2009
ST: Sheesh, Ock! You sound like the heavy in grade-B movie!
TT: Ahhh, Ock! Kau terdengar seperti tokoh dalam film kualitas rendah!
The translation in datum number 252 belongs to an accurate translation.
The translator conveys the content of the source text into target text correctly and
contains the same message of the source text. The sentence the heavy in grade-B movie! is translated into tokoh dalam film kualitas rendah! It is more suitable and acceptable in Indonesian language. The character of Octopus in this comic is a
bad character. Therefore, the researcher suggests the word heavy will be more appropriate if it is translated into penjahat rather than tokoh since the term heavy
in the movie means bad or criminal character
2.1.1.2. Classification A.2 (Less Accurate)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be less accurate
translation. The data are classified into less accurate, if the content of source text
is less accurately conveyed to the target text. Rewritings and some changes in
word order are needed. There are 48 data (15.6%) classified into classification
commit to user Some of the data are presented below:
Example 8
010/678/ES/2009
ST: You used your powers to become a criminal…when you could‟ve been a hero…
TT: Kau menggunakan kekuatanmu untuk tindakan kriminal dimana seharusnya
kau bisa menjadi pahlawan…
The example above is categorized into the less accurate classification.
Dealing with the meaning, the translator succeeds in delivering the message
although the sentence to become a criminal should be translated into menjadi seorang penjahat rather than untuk tindakan kriminal. The researcher has the same idea with the raters that the translation of menjadi seorang penjahat is more appropriate with the grammar and content of the source text. The target reader has
understood the translation untuk tindakan kriminal but the message is not conveyed the accurately. However, the word criminal and hero in the sentence show the comparison between Electro and Spider-Man.
Example 9
commit to user ST: I saw how you looked at your son.
TT: Aku melihat bagaimana kau menyayangi anakmu.
The datum above is categorized as less accurate. Two of the raters have
opinion that the sentence bagaimana kau menyayangi anakmu is translated in the wrong way. It should be translated into bagaimana cara kau melihat anakmu
rather than bagaimana kau menyayangi anakmu. One of the raters has different opinion that the translator tries to convey the meaning of source text how you looked at your son into bagaimana kau menyayangi anakmu according to the previous dialogue situation (datum number 014, 015, 016, 017). The researcher
agrees with the opinion of one rater that the translator tries to convey the message
in the comics by expanding his imagination. From the previous and the next
pictures and dialogues the target reader will understand that the Electro as a father
very loves his son.
Example 10
049/687/PP/2008
ST: Lean on me, and we‟ll do fine.
TT: Bersandarlah padaku dan kau akan baik-baik saja.
The datum number 049 above belongs to the less accurate classification.
The translation of this datum needs some rewriting. The translator changed the
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translated into kita akan rather than kau akan. The researcher supports the raters that the translator should translate this phrase accurately. However, we’ll in the
picture refer to Peter Parker and Aunt May.
Example 11
070/691/PP/2009
ST: What do you mean? If she suspects I‟m Spidey….!
TT: Kalau saja ia tahu akulah Spiderman….
Datum number 070 is considered less accurate translation since the
message of the source text is not translated well. The raters give opinion that the
translation contains reduction, the interrogative sentence What do you mean? is deleted. It is not consistent with the dialogue in the balloon of comic. It can
influence the expressiveness of the dialogue. The researcher suggests that the
translator should keep the translation of the Apa maksudmu? sentence to the complete the translation.
Example 12
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ST: I vote…we arrange a trade…
TT: Kita membuat pertukaran.
The datum number 236 belongs to a less accurate translation since it is not
translated well and accurately. The reducing in the translated text above can
reduce the beauty aspect of comic‟s language. The translator does not provide the
translation for the clause I vote it makes the utterance does not have an emotional feeling. While, the sentence We arrange a trade is translated into Kita membuat pertukaran sounds unnatural so that it has to be reconstructed or in other words, it is necessary to make some changes in word order. Thus, the researcher
recommends a translation as in Aku usul…kita mengadakan pertukaran saja to
make the sentences accurate and naturally conveyed.
Example 13
278/771/DO/2009
ST: Even in an abandoned warehouse…it‟s hard to find any privacy!
TT: Bahkan di gedung terbengkalai pun sulit mendapatkan privasi!
The datum number 278 is considered less accurate translation since the
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gudang, refers to a place to keep some unused stuffs or secondhand goods. Therefore, it will be better if it is translated into gudang rather than gedung. The researcher agrees with the raters. From picture datum number 268, 281, 286, 291,
301, and 304 is clearly shown that the warehouse is illustrated by gudang, not
gedung.
2.1.1.3. Classification A.3 (Inaccurate)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be inaccurate
translation. In this classification, the translator fails to convey the message of
source text into target text accurately. The translator cannot find the suitable
equivalent of source text term or word in the target text. The translator keeps the
terms or words as it is stated in the source text and changes the source text term
with target text term which have different meaning. There are 2 data (0. 6%)
included in this classification.
Some of the data are presented below:
Example 14
117/700/RR/2009
ST: Better hope you got a fat wallet, man! If not…!
TT: Lebih baik kuharap kau memiliki dompet yang tebal, teman! Kalau tidak...!
The datum number 117 is considered to be inaccurate since the translation
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character utterance in the balloon of the characters of Wolverine/Logan Hmm…on the other hand... It makes the translation completely different from the comic‟s
picture of source text. The researcher assumes that the translator should keep the
sentence to complete the translation because the sentence Hmm…on the other
hand... is the continuation of Logan‟s murmur in the previous picture. The omitted sentence will confuse the target reader in the next picture; which is datum number
118.
Example 15
167/712/ NC/2009
ST: Dr. Octopus has hurled a policeman into the air...
TT: Dr. Octopus melempar polisi ke udara…
The datum number 167 is similar to the first example, the translation is
inaccurate. The translator omits the character‟s thoughts in the balloon My wife! My kids! However it can reduce the beauty aspects of comic‟s language. The researcher agrees with the raters‟ argument that the deletion makes the translation
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2.1.2. The Acceptability of the Translation
Based on the table of acceptability above, from 308 data, 253 data (82.1%)
are categorized into classification B.1 or acceptable translation, 51 data (16.6%)
are categorized into classification B.2 or less acceptable translation, and 4 data
(1.3 %) are categorized into classification B.3 or unacceptable translation.
2.1.2.1. Classification B.1 (Acceptable)
This category includes the data which are considered to be acceptable
translation. The data included in this classification are those which sound natural,
almost do not seem like a translation product and do not contain any grammatical
errors. There are 253 data (82.1%) included in this classification.
Some of the data are presented below:
Example 16
001/676/ET/2009
ST: I‟m sorry, son. I didn‟t mean for you to learn my secret…not like this!
TT: Maafkan aku Nak. Aku tak ingin kau mengetahui rahasiaku seperti ini!
Datum number 001 is categorized into acceptable translation since the
expression used in the sentence does not seem like a work of translation, the
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very natural in the target language. According to the researcher, the translation of
the datum above is quite acceptable. The researcher agrees with the translator who
chooses the diction mengetahui to translate the word learn since the word learn in Indonesia have the meaning mempelajari. If the translator chooses the word
mempelajari,it will make the translation unnatural for the target reader. Example 17
038/684/SM/2009
ST: The coast is clear.
TT: Aman dari penjagaan.
The translation of this datum is acceptable and does not sound like
translation. The translator translates The coast is clear into Aman dari penjagaan. It gives great contribution for the translation to make it sounds natural. According
to the researcher opinion, the translator tries to translate the parable of coast that has a meaning for the situation in the Queens hospital since Spider-Man will
change his costume and come back into being Peter Parker again. The translator
commit to user Example 18
054/688/PP/2009
ST: Gotta earn some cash! That cab ride with aunt May stretched me.
TT: Kuharus mendapatkan uang! Mengendarai taksi bersama bibi May
membuatku bokek.
The translation of datum number 054 is acceptable and does not sound like
translation. It sounds natural in the target text with an expression of membuatku bokek for stretched me instead of meregangkan. So, the translation of That cab ride with aunt May stretched me into Mengendarai taksi bersama bibi May membuatku bokek is considered to be an acceptable translation in the target text. The researcher agrees that the translation is naturally translated into the target
language.
Example 19
commit to user ST: Just for a minute, aunt May.
TT: Cuma sebentar kok, bibi May.
The translation in datum number 079 is considered to be included in the
acceptable category since the expression used in the sentence does not seem like a
work of translation. The translation sounds natural and there is no grammatical
error. The translator translates the second person address aunt into bibi to get acceptability in the target text. The researcher agrees that the translation is
acceptable. The diction of the translation Cuma sebentar kok is commonly used in Indonesian to show the closeness of family or friendships.
Example 20
122/701/PP/2009
ST: Why did my spider sense tingle when I walked past that guy?
TT: Mengapa sensor Spider-Manku berbunyi ketika aku berpapasan dengan
laki-laki itu?
The translation is included into the acceptable category. In this sentence
the translator translates sense into sensor instead of rasa. It gives great contribution for the translation to make it sounds natural. The researcher also
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word tingle means menggelenyar and terasa geli (John M. Echols and Hassan Shadily English Dictionary-Indonesian, 1998:593). It is not common to be used in
Indonesian itself.
Example 21
171/712/DO/2009
ST: The late Spider-man!
TT: Spiderman yang terlambat!
The translation of datum number 171 is included into the acceptable
category. One of the raters assumes that the translation sounds less natural when
the target readers read the translation. The rater suggests translating the word of
late into lamban or lambat rather than yang terlambat. The researcher agrees with the rater‟s suggestion that the word lamban is better than terlambat. It makes the translation text more acceptable in the target language.
2.1.2.2. Classification B.2 (Less Acceptable)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be less
acceptable translation. In this classification, the translation sounds natural and
appropriate with the grammar structure of the target text, and it almost does not
feel like translation. There are also some unnatural expressions and word choices.
commit to user Some of the data are presented below:
Example 22
010/678/ES/2009
ST: You used your powers to become a criminal…when you could‟ve been a
hero…
TT: Kau menggunakan kekuatanmu untuk tindakan kriminal dimana seharusnya
kau bisa menjadi pahlawan…
The datum number 010 is considered as less acceptable translation. The
translation of the phrase to become a criminal sounds unnatural. The raters suggest the translation as menjadi penjahat or menjadi seorang penjahat, it is more appropriate rather than untuk tindakan kriminal. The borrowing of the word
criminal is not properly used since the word makes the translation sounds like translation. The researcher has the same opinion with the raters by translating the
source sentence into menjadi seorang penjahat which makes it sounds natural and clearer.
Example 23
commit to user ST: Hey, Tiger! You gonna lie in bed all day?
TT: Hai Macan! Kau hanya ingin berbaring di tempat tidur seharian?
In datum number 083, there is an unnatural word choice when the
translator translates the word tiger into macan. The expression sounds unnatural and not interesting. The character Peter Parker or Spiderman is the super hero,
hence the researcher suggests translate it into jagoan make the sentences naturally conveyed. It is able to increase the beauty of the expression if the word tiger is translated into jagoan.
Example 24
124/702/WV/2009
ST: Do I know that guy I just passed?
TT: Apakah aku tahu pria yang baru kulewati?
The datum number 124 is considered as less acceptable translation since
the translated text sounds like a work of translation. The suggestion for translation
commit to user Example 25
231/759/ WV/2009
ST: It‟s a standoff, Ock. You‟ve weakened me…so I can‟t get free…
TT: Kau tak bisa mengelak, Ock. Kau telah membuatku lemah, sehingga aku tak
bisa membebaskan diri…
The translation of datum above is considered to be less acceptable. It
sounds like a work of translation. The message of the translated word weakened
into membuatku lemah is accurately conveyed and can be understood but it is unnatural for the context of story. The recommended translation is melumpuhkan
which is more appropriate rather than membuatku lemah. The researcher gives opinion that the translation It’s a standoff, Ock does not follow the target text
structure. Moreover, the translator has changed the subject It into Kau. It makes the message of the dialogue in the datum does not clearly mention what the
subject is. Based on the picture It’s in the sentence indicates the Ock‟s diamond
that will be used to cut the claws of Wolverine but it is failed. It is better to
commit to user Example 26
208/724/SM/2009
ST: Well, Wolverine, was our fight with Doc Ock worth your trip to New York?
TT: Well, Wolverine, perkelahian kita tadi dengan Doc Ock sepadan dengan
perjalananmu ke New York?
The translation of datum number 208 belongs to the less acceptable
category since there is deletion in the source text. The word was in target language is not properly deleted. Furthermore, the word was as the interrogative form has important part in a sentence. The raters have suggestion to translate was into
apakah. It makes the translation clearer. The translator also borrows the word
Well. Meanwhile, Well does not exist in Indonesian language. It is better to be translated into Baiklah than borrow the word Well. The researcher has the same opinion with the raters by changing the sentence Well, Wolverine, perkelahian kita
tadi dengan Doc Ock sepadan dengan perjalananmu ke New York? into Baiklah,
Wolverne, apakah perkelahian kita tadi dengan Doc Ock sepadan dengan perjalananmu ke New York? , making it more acceptable in the target text.
2.1.2.3. Classification B.3 (Unacceptable)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be unacceptable
translation since there are many grammatical mistakes which cover almost the
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translation work. There are unnatural uses of expression and word choices in the
translation. There are 4 data or 1.3% included in this classification.
Some of the data are presented below:
Example 27
070/691/PP/2009
ST: What do you mean? If she suspects I‟m Spidey….!
TT: Kalau saja ia tahu akulah Spiderman….
This translation is included into unacceptable category since it contains
reduction. The translator does not provide the translation for sentence What do you mean? It makes the translation unacceptable since this sentence is related to the previous story and picture. The suggested translation for this sentence is Apa maksudmu? The researcher agrees with the rater‟s suggestion. The omission of
sentence shows the inconsistency of the translation. It can make the translation
sounds incomplete.
Example 28
214/725/SM/2009
commit to user TT: Bintangnya Mary Jane Parker!
The problem of this datum is similar to the example number 070. The
translation contains reduction. The expression is terrific! is deleted. It makes the translation unacceptable and reduces the beauty of the expression of this comic.
The suggested translation for this sentence is Bintangnya Mary Jane Parker! Dia sungguh hebat! The researcher agrees with the rater that the deletion makes the translation sounds clumsy.
Example 29
230/758/ WV/2009
ST: Whoever said…”Diamonds are forever”… Never tried cuttin‟ Adamantium
with „em!
TT: Siapapun yang mengatakan “Berlian adalah abadi”....belum pernah dicoba
memotong Adamantium sebelumnya!
The translation in datum number 203 belongs to the unacceptable category
since the message of the source text is not conveyed well in the target text. The
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dicoba memotong Adamantium sebelumnya! The researcher supports to the raters that the translation needs restructuring. The translator should pay attention to the
translation of tenses.
Example 30
270/768/MJ/2009
ST: Yep! It works!
TT: Ya, dia bekerja!
The translation of datum number 270 is classified into unacceptable. The
translator translates the subject it into dia while it is a thing (in the story it is a tracer). The suggestion for the word it is translated into alat pelacaknya or alat itu
it will be more acceptable rather than dia bekerja. The researcher has the same opinion with the raters that the translator has to be clear and exact in translating
the personal pronoun.
2.1.3. The Readability of the Translation
Based on the table of readability above, from 308 data, 278 data (90.3%)
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categorized into classification C.2 or less readable translation, and 0 data (0%) are
categorized into classification C.3 or unreadable translation.
2.1.3.1. Classification C.1 (Readable)
This category includes the data of which are considered to be readable
translation. The reader fully understands the meaning of the translation of the text
conveyed by the translator. The data are classified into readable translation since
the readers can understand them after reading it once. There are 278 data (90.3%).
Some of the data are presented below:
Example 31
012/679/ET/2009
ST: No matter what, I‟m glad you‟re okay.
TT: Aku tak peduli (yang penting) aku senang kau baik-baik saja.
The translation is considered to be a readable translation. The respondents
are easy to catch the message contained in the translation and do not have any
difficulties dealing with this translation. The translator chooses the word which is
easily understood by the target reader and gives additional words in parenthesis
commit to user Example 32
122/701/PP/2009
ST: Why did my spider sense tingle when I walked past that guy?
TT: Mengapa sensor Spider-manku berbunyi ketika aku berpapasan dengan
laki-laki itu?
The translation of datum number 122 is readable since the respondents can
understand the message of the sentence easily. According to their assessment, the
researcher thinks that they did not have any problem in understanding the
translation.
Example 33
125/702/WV/2009
ST: Aw,c‟mon, Wolverine…don‟t get paranoid.
TT: Ayolah Wolverine, jangan ketakutan gitu.
The respondents do not have any difficulties dealing with this translation.
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with the translator to adapts the term paranoid into ketakutan and the sentence
Aw,c’mon, Wolverine into Ayolah Wolverine. It makes the sentence easy to understand.
Example 34
264/767/SM/2009
ST: But with my Spider strength, I can still handle them! And now…nothing can
get in the way of our showdown!
TT: Tapi dengan kekuatan Spiderku, aku masih bisa melawannya! Dan sekarang,
tak ada lagi yang menghalangi pertarungan kita!
The translation of datum number 264 belongs to the category of readable.
The respondents catch the message contained in the translation easily and do not
have any difficulties dealing with this translation.
Example 35
268/768/MJ/2009
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TT: Tapi Peter memberiku pelacak yang terhubung langsung dengan DNA-nya
The datum above is considered to be readable translation since the
respondents can understand the message easily. Actually, there is a scientific term
DNA, but the readers have been familiar with the term. DNA is the abbreviation of
deoxyribonucleic acid, which means DNA is the blue print of the whole activities of organism cells. This loan term is more familiar than the meaning itself.
2.1.3.2. Classification C.2 (Less Readable)
The data are classified into less readable since the translation can be
understood after being read twice. It means that the translation is more difficult to
be understood by the target reader. There are 30 data (9.7%).
Some of the data are presented below:
Example 36
010/678/ES/2009
ST: You used your powers to become a criminal…when you could‟ve been a
hero…
TT: Kau menggunakan kekuatanmu untuk tindakan kriminal dimana seharusnya
kau bisa menjadi pahlawan…
The translation of this datum belongs to less readable classification. One
