Translating Arguments

KEMENTERIAN RISET, TEKNOLOGI DAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI
UNIVERSITAS NEGERI SEMARANG (UNNES)

Kantor: Komplek Simpang 5 Unnes Kampus Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229
Rektor: (024)8508081 Fax (024)8508082, Purek I: (024) 8508001
Website: www.unnes.ac.id - E-mail: unnes@unnes.ac.id
FORMULIR MUTU
BAHAN AJAR/DIKTAT
No. Dokumen No. Revisi Hal Tanggal Terbit
FM-02-AKD-05 02 31 dari 102 21 Januari 2020
CHAPTER V
Translating Argumentative Texts
A. Short Description
This chapter discusses how to translate argumentative texts from Indonesian
into English.
B. Subject Learning Outcome

After studying and learning this chapter, coginitively students are able to know,
recognize, and understand how to translate descriptive texts, affectively they
can acknowledge that translating descriptive texts is important for their life,
and psychomotorically they can translate a text based on the types of
translation.
C. Lesson Material
Tips on How to Make a Good Translation
Many people think that translating is easy, that all you have to do is change
words from one language into their equivalents into another. But if you’ve tried
Google translate or any other machine translation software, you know it’s not
true. There are debates about what makes a translation good or bad, but
many agree that the best translation doesn’t look like a translation.
Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when accepting a translation project and how
to produce the best results in the end for a good translation.
1. Always see the document before accepting any project
Checking the documents before you accept the job is the only way to ascertain
that the work is within your abilities and that the deadlines are reasonable. It
also enables you to check if the original material is complete and that you are
familiar with the subject matter.
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2. Who/What is the translation for?
You also need to discuss with the client about the kind of translation he/she
wants, the intended message, the target audience and any information that will
determine the style of translation required.
3. A good translation requires time
You can’t translate on a whim. Read the source text thoroughly, pay attention
to details such as language nuances or register, inform the client of any
mistakes or ambiguities you may find, research some technical terms.
It is also important to get some rest. Un-glue yourself from your computer
screen, have a break and do something else; you will go back to your
translation more relaxed and with fresher eyes.
4. “Good writers are those who keep the language efficient. That is to
say, keep it accurate, keep it clear” (Ezra Pound)
If the text you translate contains idiomatic references, don’t hesitate to add
comments or notes to make it easier for the reader to understand. That’s why
a good knowledge of both the source and target language is crucial.
5. Keep your target audience in mind
This is the best way to ensure you will translate with the intent of conveying
the exact meaning of the original message. It will also make you remember to
respect a specific spelling or vocabulary if you are translating into a variant of
a language (e.g. French Canadian, Brazilian Portuguese etc).
6. Make sure your words have meaning
If you opt for a literal translation, you may get unpleasant surprises. While you
must preserve the original style of the author (tone, register…), you can’t
duplicate the syntax or the grammatical construction of the source language,
unless of course it is correct in the target language. You also don’t have to
keep all the words from the source text if you want to avoid redundancy in your
translation. Conversely, don’t hesitate to add some words in your translation if
you feel it will make the meaning clearer.
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7. Stick to what you know
Rely on your skills and experience. They will help you make the right decisions
when translating a difficult text. It may take time to hone them, but remember
practice makes perfect.
8. When in doubt, ask for help
It is normal to sometimes face doubts or difficulties when translating a

document; translation is not an exact science (and even scientists have
doubts!). Don’t be afraid to consult colleagues or other linguists when you are
stuck. You should even talk to the client or the author of the source text, if you
can contact him/her.
9. The finishing touch (a.k.a. Proofreading and Revision)
We are so absorbed in our work that it can be difficult to distance ourselves

from it; this is where a second pair of eyes is essential. When your translation
is done, have another linguist or a native speaker proofread it. They can spot
mistakes you may have not noticed. They will also make sure that your
translation sounds natural in the target language. Your translation is now
ready to be delivered to the client.
10. Getting better at it
As the experienced translator Lanna Castellano said: “Our profession is based

on knowledge and experience. It has the longest apprenticeship of any
profession”. Continuous learning is the key to improve your skills and
expertise. Languages are permanently evolving and developing so you need
to keep up to date.
Taken from http://www.word360.co.uk/tips-on-how-to-make-a-good-translation/
D. Summary
There are 10 tips on how to make a good translation, especially for translating
argumentative texts.
1. Always see the document before accepting any project
2. Who/What is the translation for?
3. A good translation requires time
4. keep it accurate, keep it clear”
5. Keep your target audience in mind
6. Make sure your words have meaning
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7. Stick to what you know

8. When in doubt, ask for help
9. The finishing touch
10. Getting better at it
E. Questions/Discussion
Please translate the following argumentative texts into Indonesian
language.
The Negative Effects of Smoking to the Various Systems and

Organs in a Human Body
Smoking is one of the deadliest habits a person can have. It is addictive that you
would find it hard to avoid it. Its nicotine has a “feel good” effect can make you
keep coming back on smoking even if you may use stop smoking aids. But the
zest about how to quit smoking is self-control to counter your thoughts whenever
you think of smoking again. It is also coupled with steps or guidelines for you to be
guided when you have decided to quit already.
However, if any instances you haven’t yet decided to quit that habit then you
should be convinced that you should really stop. While it is really hard to teach and
orient people about a best way to quit smoking using details and cases, still the
mere fact that it is dangerous to your health is alarming. Whether you are a teen
smoker or a lifetime smoker, you should be alarmed because it does not pose
petty health effects but serious health effects to your body. Moreover, you have to
know that the effects of smoking do not only cover one system of your body but
multiple systems of your body. Below are the most affected systems of smoking:
Respiratory System
The foremost system that would be affected when you smoke is your respiratory
system. Its effects include permanent damage to your lung’s air sacs, impairment
of your lung’s clearance system, lung irritation, irritation of your larynx and trachea,
increase of lung infection such as coughing, breathlessness due to the swelling of
your lung airways and excessive mucus accumulation in your lung passages.
Musculoskeletal System
Aside from respiratory system, other systems of your body such as

musculoskeletal system would be affected when you smoke. The effects of
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FORMULIR MUTU
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smoking to your musculoskeletal system includes decrease density of your bone

and tightened muscles.
Circulatory System
Other system which would be affected is your circulatory system. The effects
include decrease of blood flow to your fingers and toes, prone to blood clot,
increased blood pressure and heart rate, damage to arteries lining, less oxygen
carried by your blood, high risk of heart attack and stroke because of the blocked
blood supply and tightening of your blood vessels.
Immune System
Another system is your immune system which the effects include lower protection
of your blood due to low levels of protective antioxidants such as vitamin C, long-
lasting and serious illnesses and increased changes of acquiring infections like
influenza and pneumonia.
Sex Organs
Whether you are a male or a female, smoking has varying effects on the sexual
organs of either of a man or a woman. For men, the effects of smoking are
increased number of deformed sperms, genetic damage sperm and lower sperm
count due to such damages. In addition, impotence could also be an effect of
smoking because of the effects of smoking to the circulatory system. It affects the
blood flow and it damages the blood vessels in the penis.
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For women, effects of smoking are high risk of cervical cancer, reduced fertility,
irregularities or absence of menstrual cycle, early onset of menopause as one or
two years earlier than the usual and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Knowing the negative effects of smoking to your body should be an eye-opener to

you. Start with your stop smoking aids and build a strong foundation of which to
start your venture to quit smoking.
Taken from https://melwellnessreviews.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/the-negative-effects-of-smoking-to-the-

various-systems-and-organs-in-a-human-body/
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KEMENTERIAN RISET, TEKNOLOGI DAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI

UNIVERSITAS NEGERI SEMARANG (UNNES)

B. Subject Learning Outcome

Tips on How to Make a Good Translation

1. Always see the document before accepting any project

2. Who/What is the translation for?

3. A good translation requires time

5. Keep your target audience in mind

6. Make sure your words have meaning

7. Stick to what you know

8. When in doubt, ask for help

It is normal to sometimes face doubts or difficulties when translating a

9. The finishing touch (a.k.a. Proofreading and Revision)

We are so absorbed in our work that it can be difficult to distance ourselves

10. Getting better at it

As the experienced translator Lanna Castellano said: “Our profession is based

Taken from http://www.word360.co.uk/tips-on-how-to-make-a-good-translation/

7. Stick to what you know

The Negative Effects of Smoking to the Various Systems and

Aside from respiratory system, other systems of your body such as

smoking to your musculoskeletal system includes decrease density of your bone

Knowing the negative effects of smoking to your body should be an eye-opener to

Taken from https://melwellnessreviews.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/the-negative-effects-of-smoking-to-the-

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