4 CHAPTER II LITERARY REVIEW
Idiom is a typical expression that contains figurative elements, so it cannot be interpreted literally. The word order used in an idiom has an unusual or imaginative impression. Even so, idiom is used to represent a certain expression. Idiom is not about how the words can be formed, but about its proper use in the context of a sentence. Since there are so many idiomatic expressions in use, the experts make groupings of the types, such as based on their constituent elements or the choice of words that form them.
Fernando (1996:1) states that idiomatic expressions can be categorized into three types.
They are pure idiom, semi idiom, and literal idiom.
1. Pure idiom
Pure idiom is a type of expression where the meaning has nothing to do with its sentence.
It is such an expression with a certain message or meaning which cannot be understood by interpreting it word by word.
Example:
Idiomatic expression Just don’t spill the beans here!
Table A.1
The term “spill the beans” is pure idiom. “Spill the beans” means to reveal a secret or private information. We can see that its real meaning has nothing to do with the word
“beans” here.
2. Semi idiom
Semi idiom is a series of words consisting of at least one literal and one figurative component. The constituents that have the non-literal subsense normally have it only when they happen in that particular connection.
Example:
5 Idiomatic expression
She wishes for a fat salary.
Table A.2
The term “fat salary” is semi idiom. “Fat salary” means an average salary. The word “fat”
is the non-literal element or figurative component, while the word “salary” is the literal element (or is used literally).
3. Literal idiom
Literal idiom is a semantically less complex type of expression. This fact makes it easier for us to understand the meaning since it uses literal words.
Example:
Idiomatic expression
I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Table A.3
The term “the bottom of my heart” is literal idiom. “The bottom of my heart” means very sincerely. We can understand this term and its meaning easily because it uses the literal words.
Rendering an idiom from one language to another is certainly not an easy work. Idioms are considered as an obstacle for translators in providing a proper translation. Moreover, every region or culture has its own idioms, so they must be translated in the right way to make them acceptable and not strange for the target reader. The lack of knowledge about the idioms can affect an error in conveying the meaning and purpose in the context. Translators will definitely encounter difficulties in translating idioms, such as: (a) an idiom might have no equivalent in the TL; (b) an idiom might share a similar counterpart in the TL, but the use of its context might be different; (c) an idiom might be used in the SL in its literal and idiomatic senses at the same time; (d) the actual convention of using idioms in written discourse and their recurrence of purpose might be different
6
in the SL and TL. Based on those things, translation strategy is considered as one of the ways suggested by the experts to solve problems in translating idiomatic expressions.
This study would analyze the translation strategies of the idioms using the theory introduced by Baker (2018:77) which include:
1. Using an idiom of similar meaning and form
Translator uses idioms that are very similar in form and meaning to the target language.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
Her cousin is a two-faced person. Sepupunya adalah orang bermuka dua.
Table B.1
The idiom “two-faced” means a nature of people who are nice in front of someone but badmouth them to others. The translator renders the idiom into “bermuka dua” in Indonesian. The translator uses the strategy of using an idiom of similar meaning and form because the idiom has the same or similar structure and meaning in both TL and SL.
2. Using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form
Translator uses idioms with similar meaning but different lexical item to the target language.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
She has her nose in the air after winning the beauty contest.
Dia besar kepala setelah memenangkan kontes kecantikan.
Table B.2
The idiom “nose in the air” means an attitude of arrogance and feeling themselves much better than other people. The translator uses the phrase ”besar kepala” in the Indonesian translation. He uses the strategy of using an idioms of similar meaning but dissimilar form because the idiom has similar meaning with the TL but in a dissimilar structure or form.
7 3. Borrowing the source language idiom
Translator does not render the idioms but borrows or keeps the original idioms from the SL for some reasons associated with culture-specific items.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
His idea is out of the box. Idenya sungguh out of the box.
Table B.3
The phrase “out of the box” means an unexpected brilliant thought that is beyond the minds of most people. The translator uses the strategy of borrowing the source language idiom because he does not find a match in the TL or it seems that there will be an inaccuracy in the use of idiomatic language in the TL due to differences in the stylistic preferences of the SL and TL.
4. Translation by paraphrase
Translator renders the idiom’s meaning using words in target language which is similar or close in meaning to reproduce the message that equivalent to the source language.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
Hey, look! These old cars cost an arm and a leg.
Hey, lihat! Mobil-mobil tua ini sangat mahal.
Table B.4
The idiom “cost an arm and a leg” means (something) having a very high price/very expensive. The translator uses the strategy of translation by paraphrase because he does not find any similar idiom in the TL. So he translates the idiom by paraphrasing it to “sangat mahal” in Indonesian. Even though the TL is not in the form of idiom, but it still delivers the message contained in the SL.
8 5. Translation by omission of a play on idiom
Translator renders the idioms literally, but the meaning of the idioms are not distorted and still keep the idiomatic expressions.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
He and his elder sister run off from home. Dia dan kakak perempuannya lari dari rumah.
Table B.5
“Run off” is a combination of words which comes from “run” and “off”. “Run” means to move with speed by using feet to go somewhere, while “off” is a preposition. The idiom
“run off” means to move quickly from a previous place or position. The translator uses the strategy of translation by omission of a play on idiom (off) and renders it into “lari” in Indonesian. Even though the idiom is translated literally, there is no loss in meaning and it does not lead to the formation of new meaning in the TL.
6. Translation by omission of entire idiom
Translator chooses not to translate or to omit the entire idiom because there is no equivalent in the target language.
Example:
Source Language Target Language
He might get up the juice to kiss Sarah. Dia mungkin akan mencium Sarah.
Table B.6
The idiom meaning of “get up the juice” is emotionally prepared to do something. Since there is no equivalent in the TL and the translator finds it difficult to be paraphrased as well, so he uses the strategy of translation by omission the entire idiom. The translator decides to omit the idiom from the Indonesian translation because without the existence of this idiom, the meaning is still decidedly perceived and it does not affect the message of the text at all.
