A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS
IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP”
AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Sarjana Sastra Degree from English Department
Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University
By:
CINDY PARAHITA C0304014
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
THE FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS
IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP”
AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES
By: Cindy Parahita
C0304014
Approved to be examined before the Board of Examiners of English Department Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Thesis Supervisor:
Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A. NIP 1971 0525 1998 601 2 001
Head of English Department
A TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF TABOO EXPRESSIONS
IN A FILM ENTITLED “KNOCKED UP”
AND THEIR INDONESIAN SUBTITLES
By: Cindy Parahita
C0304014
Approved to be examined before the Board of Examiners of English Department Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University On ,2010
Position Name Signature
Chairman Drs. Sugiyarto Budi Waskito, M.Pd (……….) NIP. 1952 1108 198303 1 001
Secretary Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A. (…...…………..)
NIP. 1967 0830 199302 1 001
First Examiner Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A. (……….) NIP. 1971 0525 199802 2 001
Second Examiner DR. Djatmika, M.A. (……….)
NIP. 1967 0726 199302 1 001
Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name : Cindy Parahita NIM : C0304014
Stated truthfully that the thesis entitled A Translation Analysis of Taboo Expressions in A Film Entitled “Knocked Up” and Their Indonesian Subtitles is originally written by the researcher. It is neither plagiarism, nor made by others. The things which do not belong to the researcher are written in quotation and included within bibliography.
If it is then proved that the researcher cheats, the researcher is ready to take the responsibility.
Surakarta, February 2010 The Researcher,
MOTTO
It doesn’t matter how many people say it cannot be done or how many
people have tried it before; it’s important to realize that whatever you’re
doing, it’s your first attempt at it.
(Wally Amos)
Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.
(Theodore Roosevelt)
Positive attitudes create a chain reaction of positive thoughts.
(Unknown)
There can be miracles, when you believe.
DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated with gratitude to:
My beloved father and mother
My brother Cerry
Someone who always gives me attention and support
My beloved friends
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All praises just for the Jesus Christ for the blessing and guidance in the whole part of my life. Finally, there is a miracle in my life that is I can finish this thesis. I realize that this journey will be much harder without encouragement and assistance from people around me. Therefore, I would like to thank all of them who give contribution to my thesis. I owe debt of gratitude to:
Drs. Sudarno,M.A, The Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, for approving this thesis, and DR. Djatmika, M.A., for giving me permission to conduct this thesis.
Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S., M.A., my thesis supervisor, for her guidance, support, care, and patience. Thank you for being like my mother. I apologize for my mistakes that I have ever made.
Dra. Rara Sugiarti, M. Tourism, my academic supervisor, for her support and advice, and all the lecturers who have taught me and provided me with valuable knowledge. My raters, Pak Heri, Pak Dion, and Pak Alief, who have helped me answer and given comment to the questionnaire.
My parents for the financial and mental support that you all gave me, I apologize that I always make you angry. I just want to make you happy and proud.
My big family, for asking me to finish this thesis. Mbak Ika, thanks for your advice, support and attention.
Mas Waween, my fiancé, for your love, attention, support, and faithfulness. Finally, I finish my thesis so we can reach our dreams together. Thanks for waiting for me patiently, and accompanying me for so long. Ibu, thanks for the patience and support and accepting me as your daughter.
My best friends, Natalia, Rina, Fida, Pungky, Yuli, Tatan, Devit, Dendy, Nanak, Bian, for accompanying me through all of this. We have experienced the good and bad time together. I love you all guys.
Chubby, Fata, Elin, Yunin, Fikri, Yunus, Rudy, Doni, Itok, Tantra, Fitra, Hilda, Inggrid, Agustin, Uus, Erna, Fika, Mas Agung, Mba Wulan, Gendon, Cupid, Arifin KMF, and my friends in English Department ’04 for the togetherness.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ... i
THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSULTANT ... ii
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT ... iv
MOTTO ... v
DEDICATION ... vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ix
LIST OF TABLE……… xi
ABSTRACT ... xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION A. Research Background ... 1
B. Problem Statement ... 3
C. Research Objectives ... 4
D. Research Limitation ... 4
E. Research Benefits... 4
F. Research Methodology ... 5
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW A. The Definition of Translation ... 6
B. Type of Translation... 7
C. Meaning in Translation ... 8
D. Translation Strategy ... 11
F. Definition of Taboo Expressions ... 15
G. Taboo Expressions ... 20
H. The Categories of Taboo Expressions ... 21
I. The Use of Taboo Expressions ... 25
J. Communication Context in Taboo Expressions………... 26
K. Euphemism……….. 27
L. Knocked Up Synopsis……….. 30
M. Subtitle………. 32
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A. Type of Research ... 34
B. Source of Data ... 35
C. Sampling Technique ... 35
D. Method of Data Collection... 36
E. Technique of Data Analysis ... 39
F. Research Procedure ... 39
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS A. Introduction... 41
B. Research Findings ... 41
C. Discussion ... 87
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION A. Conclusion ... 101
B. Recommendation ... 103 BIBLIOGRAPHY
LIST OF TABLE
Table 4.1. Translation Using Taboo Expressions with Similar Expressive
Meaning and Form……… 45
Table 4.2. Translation Using Non Taboo Expressions with Similar Expressive Meaning and Form..………... 47
Table 4.3. Translation Using Taboo Expressions with Less Expressive Meaning but Similar Form……….... 50
Table 4.4. Translation Using Taboo Expressions with Less Expressive Meaning and Dissimilar Form……….. 52
Table 4.5. Translation Using Non Taboo Expressions with Less Expressive Meaning and Dissimilar Form……… 55
Table 4.6. Translation by More General Word………... 58
Table 4.7. Translation by Omission……… 61
Table 4.8. Translation by Loan Word Plus Explanation……… 64
Table 4.9. Translation by Swearing Word………. 67
Table 4.10. Translation by Reduction……….. 69
Table 4.11. Translation by Using Proper Interjection………. 71
Table 4.12. Classification Table of the Accuracy of the Taboo Expressions Translation……… 73
ABSTRACT
2010. THESIS ENGLISH DEPATMENT, FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS, SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY, SURAKARTA.
This research focuses on the translation analysis of taboo expressions in the film “Knocked Up”. This study aims to find out the strategies employed by translator to translate taboo expressions, and the impacts of the strategy to the accuracy and the acceptability of taboo expressions translation.
This is a descriptive-qualitative research. The source of data in this research is the dialogue of a movie entitled “Knocked Up” and its Indonesian subtitle. The data in this research are taboo expressions in the dialogue of “Knocked Up” movie that consist of 227 data, its translation, and close and open-ended questionnaire.
The result of the analysis on the translation strategies shows that there are eleven strategies used by the translator to translate taboo expressions in the movie “Knocked Up”, they are: translation using taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form (16 data or 7.1 %), translation using non taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form (3 data or 1.3 %), translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning but similar form (14 data or 6.2 %), translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form (2 data or 0.9 %), translation using non taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form (62 data or 27.3 %), translation by more general word (6 data or 2.6%), translation by omission (86 data or 37.9 %), translation by loan word plus explanation (1 data or 0.4 %), translation by swearing word (26 data or 11.5 %), translation by reduction (3 data or 1.3 %), translation using proper interjection (8 data or 3.5%). The translation strategy which is more frequently used by the translator to render taboo expressions in the movie ‘Knocked-Up” is translation by omission. There are 86 data or 37.9% of the whole data translated through this strategy. Meanwhile, translation by loan word plus explanation is the least frequently used strategy since there is only one datum (0.4%) from the overall data translated through this strategy.
The analysis of the accuracy shows that there are 25 data (11%) considered to be very accurate translation, 106 data (46.7%) considered to be accurate translation, 87 data (38.3%) considered to be less accurate translation, and 9 data (4%) considered to be inaccurate translation. The strategy of translation using taboo expression with similar expressive meaning and form is the strategy which produces the translation with high level of accuracy (68.8%). Meanwhile, strategy of using non taboo expression with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form is the strategy which produces the translation with low level of accuracy (6.5%).
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Research Background
In many countries, language has an important role in the daily life. Language is a medium to communicate between someone with others. People often use language to express their feelings, ideas, and intentions. Nowadays, English is an important language which is considered as international language since many books, movies, and literary works are using English. Unfortunately, not all people in the world have the ability to understand English well. Translation is necessary to solve that problem.
translator has to consider the target language whether or not the translation is socio-culturally appropriate.
These premises must also be considered when a translator is translating taboo expressions. A taboo is a strong prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared sacred and forbidden. A taboo can be in the form of restriction of dietary food, sexual activities and relationship, the use of drugs, exposure of body parts, and the use of offensive language. A taboo can result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness. Even, when someone is labeled doing a taboo, she/he will be isolated by the society (www.wikipedia.org, retrieved on Monday, March 17, 2008).
All cultures have words that are taboo and the taboo words are restricted in use. However, the types taboo expressions and the sanctions diverse in one culture to another. In a certain place a word can be considered as taboo but in another place it is not. It is caused by the difference of cultural background. Thus, translating taboo can be problematic for a translator, as exemplified below:
“Oh shove it up your ass! Don’t try to live my life for me.” (ST) “Ah, sudahlah. Jangan coba-coba mengatur hidupku.” (TT)
The above example shows that the translator has replaced the word shove it up your ass into sudahlah. This makes the dialogue sound more familiar and polite for
Indonesian readers.
cultures. When it is used by a white to refer to a black, nigger is considered to be taboo. For blacks who share a common culture, nigger exist as a part of the sphere, while for whites, nigger is firmly rooted within taboo space. It means that nigger can represent taboo notions, or can be used in an acceptable way.
Based on the example above, the cultural context influences the existence of the taboo. Besides, a specific situational context lain within every cultural context, also influences whether a word is considered taboo or acceptable. Words can be culturally taboo, but situationally acceptable. Concerning the case of nigger, even though its use is, for some cultures, acceptable, certain situation align nigger more toward the taboo. For instance, nigger would be considered taboo if a five-year-old black boy referred to his best friend as his nigger. Likewise, a black teen using nigger to refer to his mother would be considered taboo. In both of these cases because of the specific situation and the speakers involved, nigger is taboo.
Based on all of these premises, the researcher is interested to conduct a study about taboo expressions and the source of this analysis is the movie entitled Knocked Up. The researcher chooses this movie because this movie contains a large number of
taboo expressions.
B. Problem Statements
Considering the research background, the researcher proposes some problems formulated below:
2. How is the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability in the movie Knocked Up?
C
.
Research ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are as follows:
1. To find out the kinds of translation strategies employed in translation of taboo expressions in Knocked Up movie.
2. To know the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability in the movie Knocked Up.
D. Research Limitation
Research Limitation is the one of the part in this research. To avoid deviations or the research amiss from the aim, therefore, the researcher makes limitations concerning the data and the analysis. In conducting the research, the researcher only analyzed taboo expressions found in the English dialogue in Knocked Up movie. The focus of analysis includes the translation strategies employed, and the quality of the translation in terms of the accuracy and the acceptability.
E. Research Benefits
It is expected that the study will be beneficial for the followings: 1. Other Researchers
2. Translators
Other movie translators, especially in translating movie, which contains taboo expressions, can use the result of this research.
3. Students
It also aims to give knowledge about taboo expressions. F. Research Methodology
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
A. The Definition of Translation
There are some definitions of translation and every expert has his own opinion about it. Newmark states: “Translation is 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 other language” (1976:7). The most important thing in translation is to keep the message and the content of the source text in the target text.
Sussan-McGuire Bassnett defines translation as: “What is generally understood as translation involves the rendering of a source language (SL) text into the target language (TL) so as to ensure that (1) the surface meaning of the two will be approximately similar and (2) the structures of the SL will be preserved as closely as possible but not so closely that the TL structures will be seriously distorted” (1991:2). On the other hand, Richard W. Brislin emphasizes translation on the process of transferring the idea of the source language into the target language. “Translation is the general term referring to the transfers of thoughts and ideas from one language (source) to another (target), whether the languages are in written or oral form” (Brislin, 1976:1).
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” (1974:12). This opinion describes that considering the style of language in the translation is also important besides transferring the idea of the source language into the target language as the main priority.
From those statements above, it can be concluded that translation is the process of transferring ideas, thought, and message from the source language (SL) into the target language (TL), either in the written or spoken form considering the meaning, the form and the style of the translation.
B. Types of Translation
Many types of translation have been defined by some experts, but there are three types of translation that are commonly used by translator. They are:
1. Word-for-word Translation
Nababan states: “Word-for-word translation is a type of translation that is basically bound with word unit. In translating a text, a translator need to find the equivalent word of the source text in the target text without changing the structure of the language, because the structure of the source text and the target text is already same (2003:30).
2. Free Translation
must catch the message of the source text and express it in the target text. Idiomatic expression and proverb are often translated using this type (Nababan, 2003).
3. Literal Translation
In his book, Teori Menerjemah Bahasa Inggris, Nababan (2003:32) said that literal translation is located between word-for-word translation and free translation. Literal translation is done just like word-for word translation but a translator must adapt her/his translation in the structure of the target text. Literal translation is used when the structure of the source text is different from the target text.
C. Meaning in Translation
Zgusta (in Baker, 1992:12) states, “every word (lexical unit) has something that is individual, that makes it different from any other words. And it is just the lexical meaning which is the most outstanding individual property of the word”. According to Cruse (in Baker, 1992), there are four main types of meaning in words and utterances: propositional meaning, expressive meaning, presupposed meaning, and evoked meaning. In connection with this research, elaborating the lexical meaning, especially expressive and propositional meaning, is relevant to taboo expression.
1. Propositional meaning
in a real or imaginary world, as conceived by the speakers of the particular language to which the word or utterance belongs. It is this type of meaning which provides the basis on which we can judge an utterance as true or false”. For example: pencil in the dictionary refers to “instrument for drawing or writing with” (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English), and another example: native American refers to Indian.
2. Expressive meaning
“Expressive meaning cannot be judged as true or false. This is because expressive meaning relates to the speaker’s feeling or attitude rather than to what words and utterances refer to” (Baker 1992:13). For instance, cock and penis are similar in propositional meaning but differ in expressive meaning in
a way that the emotive elements within cock are stronger than those of penis. 3. Presupposed meaning
“Presupposed meaning arises from co-occurrence restrictions, i.e. restrictions on what other words or expressions we expect to see before or after a particular lexical unit” (Baker 1992:14). There are two types of restrictions, they are:
1. Selectional restrictions which are a function of the propositional meaning of a word. For example, we expect a human and male subject for the adjective handsome.
For example, his work breaks the law in English, but in Indonesian apa yang dilakukannya melanggar (against) hukum.
4. Evoked meaning
Baker (1992:15) states that “evoked meaning arises from dialect and register variation.” A dialect is a variety of language which has currency within a specific community or group of speakers. It may be classified into: 1. Geographical (the place where a particular dialect is used)
For instance, in Britain, the phrase knock you up refers to wake someone up in the morning so they will not be late. Slightly different meaning for American, knock you up refers to impregnate, usually without intention (http://www.uta.fi)
2. Temporal (the time when the particular choice of language is used)
The variants of fuck, for instance, fuken was used in Middle English, and fuk used in Early Modern English.
3. Social (the words and structures used by members of different social classes).
For instance, the Bohemian class is free to use taboo words, they use fucking as modifier and then they never reduce the final phoneme /ng/to/n.
In contrast, working class speakers are more likely to say fuckin than fucking.
D. Translation Strategy
Mona Baker (1992:26) suggests eight strategies of translation, when one to one equivalence at word level can not be found as follows:
a. Translation by a more general word (superordinate)
“Translation by a more general word (superordinate) is one of the commonest strategies dealing with many types of non-equivalence, particularly in the area of propositional meaning” Baker (1992:26). In this strategy, the translator changes the word of SL by finding its more general word in the TL.
For example:
ST (English) : And twelve years of sucking dick lessons. TT (Indonesian) : Dan belajar tentang seks selama 12 tahun. b. Translation by a more neutral / less expressive word
The aim of this strategy of translation is to avoid conveying the wrong expressive meaning of SL into TL. Some words in one language have no equivalent in other languages, especially those, which have expressive meaning. In this strategy, the translator tries to replace some expressive words into other words, which have less expressive meaning or more formal words, although sometimes this strategy can make the expressive meaning of the word lost in translation.
For example:
c. Translation by cultural substitution
“This strategy involves replacing a culture specific-item or expression with a target language item, which does not have the same propositional meaning but is likely to have similar impact on the target reader. The main advantage of using this strategy is that it gives the reader a concept with which she can identify, something familiar and appealing” Baker (1992:31).
For example:
ST (English) : Thanksgiving day is always fun.
TT (Indonesian) : Hari sedekah bumi selalu menyenangkan. d. Translation using a loan word or loan word plus explanation
“Following the loan word with explanation is very useful when the word in question is repeated several times in the text. Once explained, the loan word can then be used on its own, the reader can understand it and is not distracted by further lengthly explanation” Baker (1992:34).
For example:
1. Translation using a loan word ST (English) : Diving is fun.
TT (Indonesian) : Diving itu menyenangkan. 2. Translation using a loan word plus explanation
ST (English) : I use Jew.
e. Translation by paraphrase using a related word
The paraphrase usually happens when a translator tries to translate some expression, such as idiomatic expression, proverbs, cultural item, and also swearing expression. In order to make a translation sounds natural likes its original one, the translator sometimes has to paraphrase the word, and therefore, the target reader can catch the message easily.
For example:
ST (English) : They offer two chicken thighs.
TT(Indonesian) : Mereka menawarkan daging paha ayam. f. Translation by paraphrase using unrelated words
This kind of strategy can be used in some context if the concept expressed by the source item is not lexicalized at all in the target language. The main advantage of the paraphrase strategy is that “it achieves a high level of precision in specifying propositional meaning” Baker (1992:40).
For example:
ST (English) : And she busts your balls because you’re a little bitch.
TT (Indonesian) : Dan dia memarahimu karena kau pria menyedihkan yang kotor!
g. Translation by omission
particular item or expression is not vital enough to the development of the text to justify distracting the reader with lengthly explanation, translators can and often do simply omit translating the word or expression in question” Baker (1992:40). For example:
ST (English) : So I gotta sit and eat dessert alone, like I’m fucking Steven Glanzberg?
TT (Indonesian) : Jadi aku harus duduk dan makan sendiri seperti Steven Glanzberg?
h. Translation by illustration
“This is a useful option if the word, which lacks an equivalent in the target language refers to a physical entity, which can be illustrated, particularly if there are restriction on space and if the text has to remain short, concise, and to the point” Baker (1992:42).
For example:
E. Accuracy and Acceptability
The accuracy of transferring message is an important part in translation. Accuracy is one of the factors, which determine the quality of translation. Accuracy also means that the meaning of the source text is transferred into target text correctly and the translation can be understood by the target reader easily. Basically, accuracy is related to choose the correct words in order to reveal the same idea in the target language. Choosing the right word should consider some factors such as, the target readers, context of the text, and socio-cultural condition. A translation is considered to be accurate if it conveys the meaning of the source language to the target language correctly.
Besides that, the meaning or the message must be conveyed by the language which is appropriate with the norms and cultures of the target readers. In other words, the aspect of acceptability is another important part in translation which determine the quality of translation. The acceptability of the translation is assessed from its natural ness for the target readers. Besides, the acceptability also deals with the compatibility and the conformity of the translation with target language system. If a translation is not appropriate with norms, values and cultures in the target language, it is not a natural translation.
F. Definition Of Taboo Expressions
Taboo will be divided into units which are particularly relevant for a discussion of taboo language: language and sexuality, language and ethnicity, language and gender, and language and religion.
According to Trudgill, there are two kinds of taboo. Taboo that is related to action called taboo behavior and taboo that is related to language named taboo words.
“Taboo behavior which is believed to be supernaturally forbidden and/or highly immoral and/or very improper, and which is prohibited for irrational rather than rational reasons. Taboo language has to do with words and expressions which are supposed not to be used, and which are shocking, offensive, blasphemous or indecent when they are used”(Trudgill, 1992:73).
The existence of taboo behavior can influence the existence of taboo words. On the other hand, taboo words can also make the taboo behavior appear. There is a strong relationship between them. “It is rempting to look at this very simply and to suggest that, for every behavioral taboo, there will be a taboo word…and sometimes, taboo words give rise to taboo behaviors” (Anderson and Trudgill, 1990:57).
For example, in Western culture, the taboo words related to sex i.e. fuck, suck, dick, etc appeared when the action of sex itself is forbidden to be done. On the other
hand, the action of excrement becomes taboo for some cultures because the words that are related to this activity are taboo to be said.
are used in ‘animal abuse’ (calling a person by the name of an animal) such as bitch and cow” (Anderson and Trudgill, 1990:15).
According to Jay “Some situations seem less intense without taboo words. ….Taboo words are used for their emotional impact on people rather than for their literal or denotative interpretation and speakers select dirty words or messages because they want emotional impact on listeners” (1992:1,10-11).
According to the opinion above, it can be concluded that the definition of taboo and the function of using taboo related to the speakers. The relation includes situation, the meaning of using words: whether it is as threat, showing anger, swearing, mockery and so on. It also includes the speaker’s background, culture, religion, and propriety norm in the society.
Another opinion is raised by Apte (1994: 4513-14) who states “taboo words are likely to be used in social interactions among friends in a private domain where an informal speech style prevails.”
Based on the opinions above, it is obvious that the definition of taboo expressions and the function of the use of it depends on the particular society (the speakers of the taboo expressions). It is related to the context situation (when the taboo expressions are said).
For example:
different in this sentence: “What the fuck? Look at this, you’ve struck my car!” in this sentence, the word “fuck” expresses an anger of the speakers. Nowadays, in some societies, taboo words are becoming more acceptable in everyday conversation, for example, the word sucks. Sucks is a sexual term but realistically, it is rarely used in that way. The one magical word which just by its sound can describe pain, pleasure, hate and love – sucks falls into many grammatical categories, as a transitive verb, an intransitive verb, an adjective, a noun, an adverb, etc. in short, its meaning is not always sexual anymore.
For examples:
1. ST (English) :“Yeah, well, at least you got to suck on your dad’s dick.” TT (Indonesian) : “Ya, setidaknya kamu bisa hisap kelamin ayahmu.” The word meaning, as verb, is sexual.
2. ST (English) : “Really? That sucks.” TT (Indonesian) : “Benarkah? Sayang sekali.” As adverb, sucks refers to express disappointed.
translated into Indonesian, they are translated with more polite words or changed with their euphemism in Indonesian.
Different language, social, and cultural backgrounds give a strong influence to taboo expressions. A dialogue or an act may be taboo or rude to some people, while the others do not feel the same when they see that act or hear that dialogue. Not all of the audience, in this case is Indonesian audience, accept those words when they see or hear the movie.
To overcome this problem, subtitler tries to transfer the messages of movie dialogues. Thus, the process of transferring them needs the process of translation. Translation here means transferring the messages from source language (SL) into the target language (TL) with considering the different culture.
The social context sometimes makes a translator face serious problems. It is proved by the fact that there have been misinterpretations in the audience’s mind since the taboo expressions translation fails to find out the suitable equivalence for certain terms for other cultures. Here are the examples of translating taboo expressions in movie dialogues:
Example:
1. Martin : Thanks for the free money, bitch. T : Terima kasih untuk uang gratisnya.
Datum no. 01 2. Alison : You’re such an asshole.
Datum no. 077 In example 1, the translator omitted one taboo word, “bitch”. It makes the change of status in the dialogue. This makes the dialogue softer to be heard and more polite. In example 2, the subtitler translated the taboo words “asshole” into “sialan”. The word “asshole” and its translation, “sialan” has the same vulgar status.
G. Taboo Expressions
taboo topics in some cultures. But taboos are always relative to the society in which they occur. Cannibalism, a taboo issue in the western world, was viewed totally differently in those cultures where it was a part of rites and traditions.
When describing taboos and taboo expressions, the difference between those two notions needs to be defined. Taboos are the ideas or topics which are generally forbidden. Uncomfortable terms, usually relating to taboo subject, are the taboo terms or taboo expressions. Taboo terms include coarse expressions and expressions of an unpleasant suggestion that are associated with taboo topic.
H. The Categories of Taboo Expressions
Timothy Jay (1992:2-9) characterizes taboo expressions into 9 classifications, they are: blasphemy, scatology, cursing, profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, epithets, insults and slurs. The definitions of each category are as follows:
1. Cursing:
“Curse (v): to call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon”
(www.martyburns.com).
2. Profanity:
“Profane (vt): to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt: Desecrate: not concerned with religion or religious purposes: secular” (www.martyburns.com).
Profanity is based on a religious relationship, to be profane means to be secular or indifferent toward religion. Profane words are not an attack on religion, it amounts to indifference or a misuse of religious things through ignorance. Profanity is behavior that shows a lack of respect for God or holy things. Forms could be: Jesus H. Christ! I’m hungry! , For the love of Christ! Get off the phone!.
3. Blasphemy:
“Blasphemy (n): the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God: the act of claiming the attributes of deity : irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable” (www.martyburns.com).
Blasphemy is more worrying than profanity. Blasphemy is an attack on religion or religion figures. It represents an intentional and offensive threat to religion and is thus more subject to punishment than profanity. Blasphemy is behavior or language that aim to insults or disrespects something related to God or church or other sacred things.
4. Vulgarity:
“Vulgar (adj): generally used, applied or accepted: understood in or having the ordinary sense: of or relating to common people: lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste: Coarse : morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate: Gross” (www.martyburns.com).
Vulgarity is the fact of being rude or not having good taste. The ordinary people or the people in the street usually use vulgar words. The upper classes placed vulgar as a value judgment onto the lower. Vulgar words reflect the crudeness of street language. Examples include: snot, bloody, up yours, booger, slut, piss, crap, kiss my ass, snatch, on the rag or puke.
5. Epithets:
“Epithet (n): a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase” (www.martyburns.com).
6. Insults and Slurs:
“Insult (vb): to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt. Slur (vt): to cast
aspersions on: disparage” (www.martyburns.com).
Insults and slurs are powerful because these words can harm the target of the speaker and the groups of people who say the words are powerful. They define negative references, they attack to the victim to the referent named. They derogate a person or group of people, representing stereotype and a level of prejudice of the speaker. Some use animal imagery such as: pig, dog, bitch, son of a bitch, jackass. Some on social deviations: whore, slut, bastard, homo, fag, queer.
There are also many ethnic and racial slurs. Ethnic-racial slurs are problematic and they are defining racial discriminations and hate speech.
Examples include: honkey, dago, spic, nigger, wop, kike, chink, frog, taco, wet back, gook, slope, mick, grease ball, Pollack (www.wikipedia.org).
7. Scatology:
“Scatological (adj): of or relating to excrement or scatology. Scatology (n): interest in or treatment of obscene matters, especially in literature: the biologically oriented study of excrement” (www.martyburns.com).
Examples include: poo poo, ka ka, poop, turd, crap, shit, shit ass, shit for brains, piss, piss pot, piss off, fart.
8. Obscenity:
“Obscene (adj): disgusting to the senses: repulsive: abhorrent to morality or virtue; specifically: designed to incite to lust or depravity: containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage” (www.martyburns.com).
Obscenity refers to words, images or actions that offend the sexual morality of the time. The term is most often used in a legal context that is utterly without good social value. For example: fuck, motherfucker, cocksucker, cunt or tits.
Meanwhile, in Indonesian, Tahalea (1983:43) characterizes taboo expressions into 3 classifications, they are: taboo related to politeness, taboo related to scare, and taboo related to something bad. The definitions of each category are as follows: 1. Taboo related to scare
Subject or object related to religion or something sacred causes prohibition to say the name of something directly. For example, Javanese people use Gusti to say the name of God. Something that is considered as sacred can be the source of scare and taboo.
2. Taboo related to something bad
3. Taboo related to politeness
Taboo in this category related to sex, swearing words and bodily function or the part of body. For example, berhubungan seks, anjing, anus, payudara. All of those words can reduce the politeness of the language causing the language is considered as taboo.
I. The Use of Taboo Expressions
church, in situations where strict rules have to be followed, in example: the etiquette used among royalty, in official procedures, in example: a legal matter, politics, in example: a debate in parliament.
“… All dialect groups recognize taboo terms, although the conventions for usage may differ to some extent from group to group, as may the classification of particular terms as taboo items. For example, the use of bloody as an intensifier (in example: Where’s the fucking car?) is considered acceptable if odd in American English, but it is quite offensive to British English ears..” (Wolfram, 1998: 61).
So a term can be offensive or proper, depending on the geographic area as well as the characteristics of speaker groups both, speaker and hearer belong to.
J. Communication Context in Taboo Expressions
Human communication operates on a range of level from very informal to very formal speech. The level a speaker selects depends on the setting, the listeners, and the topic of discussion. At each level of formality there is a different way of talking about taboo. Vulgarity expressions are informal, while clinical terms and polite euphemisms are employed at the formal level. To operate successfully at different levels of speaking, one needs to know what is appropriate for a particular context.
Cashman (1981) described four systems for talking about taboo:
2. street language - used by peers, to indicate in group identification and often to impress others (for example, ass, screw, make out).
3. euphemism - used to avoid using explicit terms for sex in any conversation by adults (for example, making love, sleeping together). 4. medical-scientific language - a technical and concrete language of sexual
terms learned in school and from books (for example, penis, vagina, coitus).
Words on a tabooness not only are words for body products perceived as offensive but that tabooness depend on the type of word used. A word is tabooness depends on its acceptability or level of formality. For example, ‘piss’ is considered as more taboo than ‘urine’ and ‘shit’ is considered as more taboo than ‘crap’. Even though the referent is the same, the offensiveness depends on how it is described. Formal clinical terms are less offensive than vulgar references.
K. Euphemisms
When speakers realize that a taboo notion is unacceptable based on the specific context, often times they use euphemism in order to indirectly refer to the taboo notion. Speakers choose euphemisms as they select a level of formality in speaking, depending on the speaker-listener relationship, the setting, and the topic at hand. For example, menstruation (the woman’s complaint), birth control (rubber). Euphemism is created by speakers in a number of ways.
is taboo. Not surprisingly because of their reputation for not understanding the contexts of the taboo, children are also exposed to other strategies of creating euphemism.
Circumlocution, or paraphrase, is first introduced to children with the expression ‘little girls/boys room” in place of ‘the bathroom’ (Allan and Burridge, 1991:16). While this expression is sometimes lost in adulthood, adults use circumlocutions to produce the same effect as children. In many contexts, notions of death are considered taboo. When people retire at the age of sixty-five, they are granted the status of the circumlocuted ‘senior citizens’. By using the term ‘senior citizens’ as opposed to ‘old people’, speakers are able to avoid referring to the relationship between old and death. Circumlocuting ‘old people’ creates a respect for the elderly, and consequently avoids possible loss of face situation.
L. Knocked Up Synopsis
Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) is a 23-year-old slacker who is in the process of establishing fleshofthestars.com, a website that lists the exact moment in time at which nude scenes with famous actresses occur in films. Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is a responsible young woman who works behind the scenes at E! Television Network. Although she is on the career fast track, she lives in the pool house behind her sister Debbie's home, and plays an active role in helping her and her husband Pete raise their daughters.
Alison and Ben find themselves at the same club where she is celebrating her promotion at E! with her sister. They begin drinking together, and she invites him back to her pool house. The next morning, they learn that they have very little in common. Eight weeks later, Alison begins feeling very sick and comes to the conclusion that she is pregnant, and she contacts Ben. She tells Ben that she is pregnant and that she has decided to keep the baby. Ben's initial response of shock and anger mixed with Alison's frustrations creates tension, resulting in Ben agreeing to take Alison to the OB/GYN to confirm the pregnancy.
when she tries to prove this, she later discovers that Pete's actually part of a fantasy baseball league. Debbie refuses to speak to Pete thereafter.
On the way to the gynecologist's office, Ben and Alison begin fighting. She kicks him out of her car into the road, and heads to the doctor's alone while blaming her hormones. Ben walks the rest of the way to the gynecologist's office; Alison still doesn't want to see him and asks Ben to leave. Alison says that she does not want to end up like Debbie and Pete, they have a heated exchange at the office, and Ben storms off. The two men fed up with their situations, Ben and Pete set out for a road trip to Las Vegas where they indulge in psychedelic mushrooms and watch Cirque du Soleil. While hallucinating, they have a revelation that they should be back in Los Angeles and taking responsibility. Debbie and Pete's reconciliation is evident at their daughter's birthday party, but when Pete confesses to his wife about taking mushrooms, Alison hears this and refuses to speak to Ben, who tries to reconcile. Ben goes out to get a job as a web designer, gets a decent apartment, and sets up a baby room in his apartment. All the while, spending less time partying with his friends and reading the books he purchased with Alison about pregnancy, ones he had lied to Alison about having read.
daughter's first birthday.
M.Subtitle
In a cinema or television, various films have been subtitled into several languages. In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English (1974:863), subtitle is “secondary title (of a book); translation of the dialogue of a foreign language film, printed on the film.”
Henrik Gottlieb in Mona Baker states “Subtitles, sometimes referred to as captions are transcriptions of film or TV dialogue presented simultaneously on the screen. Subtitles usually consist of one or two lines of an average maximum length of 35 characters. As a rule, subtitles are laced at the bottom of the picture and are either centred or left-aligned” (1998:244-245).
Subtitling deals with the time and duration in the film. “The notion of time covers two phenomena: time of text production, and time of text presentation to the target language audience.” (Gottlieb in Baker, 1998:245). Besides transferring the message in the source text into the target text based on the accuracy, acceptability, and readability, translator must also pay attention to the time and duration of the film. Hence, a translator is permitted to delete or add words in the target text without changing the original message in order to make an accurate, acceptable, readable translation within limited time that is available in the film.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Type of Research
In doing this research, the researcher employs a descriptive qualitative method. Mason and Bramble give a statement that a descriptive qualitative research is a method in which researcher represents a broad spectrum of research activities having the common purpose of describing situations, events, or phenomena. It also deals with the observations, impressions, and the interpretations of researchers (2000:38). Wiersma points out, qualitative research has its origins in descriptive analysis, and essentially in inductive process, reasoning from the specific situation to a general conclusion (2009:14).
Based on the explanation above, it can be noted that in descriptive method, the researcher does an investigation by analyzing the selected data and drawing an interpretation of his/her analysis. The interpretation will lead the researcher to a conclusion.
B. Source of Data
Source of data is the subject from which the data are obtained for the research. The data used as sample in descriptive qualitative method are not figures but the description of something. Data for this study will be taken from the dialogue of a movie entitled Knocked Up and its Indonesian subtitle. The reason for choosing this movie as the source of data is that this movie contains a large number of taboo expressions.
This study also uses information provided three people called the raters who have both Indonesian and English competence, communicative competence, and translation competence, who evaluate data in relation to the acceptability and the accuracy of translation. Besides the raters, the researcher also uses information provided a key informant to obtain the valid data. This key informant checked whether each datum collected really belongs to taboo expressions or not.
C.Sampling Technique
raters, the researcher employed purposive sampling technique since the raters are required to fulfill several criteria as follows:
1. He/she masters English and Indonesian well.
2. He/she has competency and experience as a translator. 3. He/she has adequate knowledge about translation. 4. He/she has a willingness to take part in this research.
Sutopo says that the sampling technique used in qualitative research is selected based on the researcher’s theoretical considerations and taken purposively (2002:56).
D. Method of Data Collection
To collect the data, the researcher employed two kinds of method. The first one is content analysis, which is used to collect the primary data. According to Weber (in Moleong, 1990:163), content analysis is research methodology that uses a number of procedures to draw valid conclusions from a book or document. The researcher watched the movie, read and compared the English dialogue script and its Indonesian translation in subtitle and noted the dialogues which contain taboo expressions and gave number each datum.
and acceptability. The score given was based on the scale and translation quality definitions as follows:
Scale and translation quality definitions of accuracy
Scale Definition
4 Propositional and expressive meanings of the taboo expressions in the source language are conveyed to the target language in accordance with the context. 3 The propositional meaning of taboo expressions of the source language is
conveyed accurately into the target language but it has different expressive meaning.
2 The propositional meaning of taboo expressions of the source language is differently translated into the target language but it has the same expressive meaning.
Scale and translation quality definitions of acceptability
Scale Definition
2 The data said to be ‘Acceptable’ if the translation is appropriate with grammar and social norms in the target language by using the common expressions of taboo in the target language or the source language expressions are omitted.
1 The data said to be ‘Unacceptable’ if the translation is not appropriate with the target language grammar and social norms by using unfamiliar and uncommon expressions.
The questionnaire is formatted as closed and open-ended ones. Besides giving the alternatives of answers, the researcher also provides a space for writing comments. Therefore, the raters can explain the reason for giving a certain scale to each datum.
As addition, the collected data, particularly the primary data must be validated to guarantee the validity. To obtain the valid data, the researcher employed a key informant. This key informant checked whether each datum collected really belongs to taboo expressions or not. Hence, the key informant should fulfill some criteria as follows:
1. He/she masters English well.
2. He/she has knowledge about language theories.
E. Technique of Data Analysis
The technique of analyzing data was carried out as follows:
1. The researcher collected the data from the movie dialogue and its translation. 2. The researcher compared the taboo expressions in the English version to their
equivalence in Indonesian.
3. The researcher analyzed the strategies applied and classified the data based on translation strategy.
4. For analyzing the accuracy and acceptability, the researcher recorded the score of each questionnaire and calculated the total score and the mean of the score. Afterwards, the researcher classified each datum into classification. 5. The number of data in each classification was calculated to get the percentage.
Afterwards, the result of the analysis was put in tables. 6. The researcher drew conclusion based on the analysis.
F. Research Procedure
The research was conducted following the procedures below: 1. Watching the film
The researcher watched the film, compared the dialogues spoken with the Indonesian translation.
2. Collecting the data
The researcher collected the primary data by selecting dialogues in the film which belong to taboo expressions and its Indonesian translation. The data obtained were written down.
3. Validating the data
4. Giving questionnaire to three translation experts dealing with accuracy and acceptability.
5. Collecting the score given by the raters. 6. Analyzing the data
From the result of data validity, the data were analyzed to apply the translation strategies. Meanwhile, from the result of questionnaire, the researcher analyzed the effect of the translation strategies used on accuracy and acceptability.
7. Classifying the data
From the analysis result, the data were divided into classifications. Then number of data in each classification was calculated to get percentage and finally the result was put in tables.
8. Drawing conclusion
Based on the data analysis and research findings, the researcher drew some
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CHAPTER IV
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
A. Introduction
This chapter answers the problem statements previously mentioned in chapter one. Therefore, this chapter discusses the strategies used to translate the taboo expression in the movie “Knocked-Up” and the impacts of the strategies to the accuracy and the acceptability of the taboo expression translation in the movie.
B. Research Findings
1. The analysis of the strategies used in taboo expressions translation
The researcher found eleven strategies employed to translate taboo expression in the movie “Knocked-Up”; they are:
1. Translation using taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form
In this strategy, the translator changes the taboo expression in the source language which is translated into taboo expression in the target language and has both the same expressive meaning and propositional meaning. Thus, both source language and target language refer to the same thing in the real word and express the similar degree of expressiveness. These are the examples of the data using the strategies:
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Context of situation:
Alison tells Ryan (TV presenter) not to interview Jessica Simpson on
personal things.
Alison:
She doesn’t want to talk about her boobs or her father’s comments about her boobs.
….atau payudaranya atau komentar ayahnya tentang payudaranya Datum no.008 According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, ‘boobs’ refer to woman’s breasts translated using its equivalence ‘payudara’ which is also considered as taboo expression in TT. Here, ‘boobs’ and ‘payudara’ is considered vulgar since it brings sexual connotation. Thus, the translation results in the similar propositional and expressive meanings since both ST and TT similarly refer to woman’s breasts and have similar level of vulgarity.
Example 2:
Context of situation:
Debbie tells Alison that Pete, his husband, masturbated.
Debbie:
I walked in on him masturbating one night. Aku memergoki Pete melakukan onani.
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‘Masturbate’ means ‘provide sexual excitement by manual or other stimulations of the genital organs’ (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English) translated into its one-to-one correspondence ‘onani’. In TT, ‘onani’ is considered as taboo expression. Here, ‘masturbate’ and ‘onani’ have similar propositional meaning and expressive meaning.
Example 3:
Context of situation:
The doorman is offended by Debbie.
Doorman:
I would tear that ass up. Aku akan merobek bokongmu.
Datum no. 168 The site of www.sex-lexis.com notes that ‘ass’ is slang word for buttock translated into its ready equivalence ‘bokong’. Here, the doorman was angry to Debby because she has offended him. ‘Ass’ and ‘bokong’ has similar vulgarity since they refer to the part of the body. Therefore, ‘bokong’ is considered as the taboo expression in the target text. The translation delivers the similar propositional and expressive meanings in a way that both terms refer to the same thing in the real world, ‘buttock’, employed to express anger.
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Table 4.1
Translation using taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form
No. Data Number Data Translation
1. 005 Chesticles payudara
9. 053 Full-frontal Menunjukkan kemaluannya
10. 088 My pubes Rambut kemaluanku
11. 098 B.J. Oral seks
12. 105 Your asshole Lubang bokongmu
13. 114 bastard child anak haram
14. 168 Ass Bokong
15 176 Cunt Gadis jalang
16. 192 Jerk off beronani
2. Translation using non taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form
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Example 1:
Context of situation:
Ben explains about Alison’s birth signs.
Ben
It’s a bloody mucusy discharge. Pengeluaran cairan darah.
According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, ‘bloody’ is bleeding or covered with blood. The translator rendered ‘bloody’ into ‘darah’ which is equivalent with its definition in the source text. ‘Darah’, the translation of ‘bloody’, is not considered as taboo expression in the target language. Somehow, the word ‘bloody’ and ‘darah’ have the propositional meaning and expressive meaning equally.
Example 2:
Context of situation:
Pete makes fun of Ben for wearing preppy clothes in the party.
Pete:
You’re the one that got dressed up like a Cholo on Easter to come to this. Kaulah yang berpakaian gangster Meksiko di pesta ini.
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paraphrasing it into ‘gangster Meksiko’ which is equivalent with its definition in the source text. ‘Gangster Meksiko’, the translation of ‘Cholo’, is not considered as taboo expression in the target language. Somehow, the word ‘Cholo’ and ‘gangster Meksiko’ have the propositional meaning and expressive meaning equally.
There are 3 data or 1.3 % of the overall data of taboo expressions translated using this strategy. They are as follow:
Table 4.2
Translation using non taboo expressions with similar expressive meaning and form
No. Data Number
Data Translation
1. 121 Puke Muntah
2. 185 Cholo Gangster Meksiko
3. 206 Bloody Darah
3. Translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning but similar form
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problem of cultural acceptability since most taboo expressions will be to vulgar if translated literally into TT. Therefore, the translator renders the taboo expressions using equivalence which is less expressive but still refers to the same thing in the real word. These are the examples of the data using the strategies:
Example 1:
Context of situation:
Ben asks Alison about what happened last night.
Ben:
Did we have sex?
Apa kita berhubungan badan?
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Example 2:
Context of situation:
Alison is surprise because Debbie follows her to the bathroom to use
pregnancy test.
Alison:
God, you really had to pee.
- , kau benar-benar harus buang air kecil.
Datum no. 063 According to www.thefreedictionary.com, ‘pee’ is an informal word refers to the act of urinating. The translator transfers the word ‘pee’ into ‘buang air kecil’. ‘Buang air kecil’ and ‘pee’ have similar propositional meaning since they refer to urinate. In the TT, ‘buang air kecil’ is considered as taboo expression because it contains bodily excretion. ‘Buang air kecil’ in the TT is more polite than the word ‘pee’ in the ST because ‘buang air kecil’ is the formal word for urinating, while ‘pee’ is an informal word. Therefore, they have dissimilar expressive meaning since the word ‘buang air kecil’ is less expressive than the word ‘pee’.
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Table 4.3
Translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning but similar form
No. Data
Number
Data Translation
1. 030 Get laid Berhubungan badan
2. 035 Fuck me Meniduriku
3. 047 Have sex Berhubungan badan
4. 063 Pee Buang air kecil
5. 093 My shit kotoranku
6. 103 Jackass Bodoh
7. 113 Bone Berhubungan badan
8. 124 Fuck Berhubungan badan
9. 133 Your vagina Keperawananmu
10. 134 Vaginal Keperawananmu
11. 147 Fuck Tiduri
12. 153 Farted Buang angin
13. 167 Top that ass menidurimu
14. 184 Penis Kemaluan pria
4. Translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form
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still too vulgar even though they are translated using less expressive words. Secondly, the translator has failed to analyze the dialogue. Here are the examples:
Example 1:
Context of situation:
Debbie asks Alison about what Alison’s opinion about Pete.
Debbie :
There’s no part of you that thinks maybe he’s a dirty little scumbag? Tidak ada bagian dari dirimu yang berpikir dia itu mungkin
pecundang?
Datum no. 120 According to NTC’s Thematic Dictionary of American Slang, ‘scumbag’ is a mean and wretched person, usually a male. It has different meaning with ‘pecundang’ in the target text since ‘pecundang’ means a cowardly person. Somehow, ‘scumbag’ is ruder than ‘pecundang’ since ‘scumbag’ is a street language which has stronger expressiveness than ‘pecundang’. Here, ‘pecundang’ in TT is more polite than ‘scumbag’ in the ST. Therefore, ‘scumbag’ and ‘pecundang’ have dissimilar propositional and expressive meaning.
Example 2:
Context of situation:
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Jonah:
Try getting a boner now.
Kau takkan bisa terangsang lagi.
Datum no. 225 Www.sex-lexis.com notes that ‘boner’ refers to ‘an erected penis’ translated into ‘terangsang’. Both expressions contain sexual connotation but they have different message since ‘terangsang’ refers to mental and physical arousal to sexual excitement. Therefore, both ST and TT have different propositional meaning since they refer to different things. They both are also different in expressive meaning since ‘boner’ is sexually stronger than ‘terangsang’.
There are 2 data or 0.9 % of the overall data of taboo expressions translated using this strategy. They are as follow:
Table 4.4
Translation using taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form
No. Data Number
Data Translation
1. 120 Scumbag Pecundang
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5. Translation using non taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form
This strategy is similar to the previous one in a way that they both use less expressive words (euphemism) to soften the vulgar expression in the source text. In this strategy, the translator changes the taboo expression in the source language which is translated into non taboo expression in the target language. Somehow, this strategy results in different propositional meaning since the proposition in the target text is different from that in the source text. Example 1:
.
Context of situation:
Jonah tells Ben about what Alison likes from Ben.
Jonah:
She like the way your dick tastes. Dia suka gayamu
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propositional and expressive meaning since they both refer to different thing and express different emotional condition. In the translation above, the change does not only happen to the meaning of the expression, but also to the lexicalization in which the lexical items in ST are shortened in TT.
Example 2:
Context of situation:
Ben is peevish to Pete and he abuses Pete because Pete makes strange behavior.
Ben:
And she busts your balls because you’re a little bitch.
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There are 62 data or 27.3 % of the overall data of taboo expressions translated using this strategy. They are as follow:
Table 4.5
Translation using non taboo expressions with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form
10. 026 Kicking fuckin’ ass jagoan
11. 027 Jews Orang Yahudi
23. 061 Jerking your chain menggodamu
