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CHAPTER III TYPES OF TRANSLATION

Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the basic understanding and skills necessary for translation.
It aims to explore translation theories and practices from English into Indonesian and vice versa
by using correct and appropriate diction and grammar and to develop students’ skills in translation
as well as a solid understanding of translation theories underpinning the translation practices. It
deals with concepts and principles of translation, techniques of translation, equivalence in
translation, and translation practices at word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, and text levels.
This course may use various types of texts.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Explain types of translation
2. Understand the information conveyed in the source text for different contexts
3. Understand how to accurately translate the complex and cultural messages embedded in
the source text into the target text
4. Engage in collaborative work of translation

Introduction
According to Catford (1978:20), translation is the replacement of textual material in one language
(source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (target language). In other
words, translation is the changing of meaning from one language (source language) to another
language (target language) by considering the equivalent of the language being translated.
Translation refers to written information, while interpretation refers to spoken information. The
purpose of translation is to convey the intended information. There are several types proposed by
the experts. Some of them are explained below.

Types of Translation
According to Larson (1984), there are two kinds of translation: form-based and meaning-based
translations. They are called the literal translation and idiomatic translation.
Literal Translation (Form-Based Translation)
Literal translation is a form-based translation; in literal translation, the form of the source language
is transferred into the form of the target language. Although this literal translation is useful for the
purposes related to the study of the source language, it has little help to the speakers of the receptor
language who are interested in the meaning of the source language text. A literal translation has
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little communication value. According to Larson, form-based translations attempt to follow the
form of the source language and are known as literal translations (Larson, 1984:17).
For examples:
1. SL : Who has he been living with?
TL : Siapa telah dia tinggal dengan?
(Margono, 1999:4)

2. SL : Beliau sudah mendahului kita

TL : He has left before us
(Margono, 1999:7)

The translations above sound unnatural. The word who is simply translated into siapa. Has is
translated into telah, he is translated into dia, been living is translated into tinggal and with is
translated into dengan. It is translated through word – for – word translation and makes the
combination of the target language sentence sound unnatural and it usually makes the readers
confused. This case also happens in the second example. The word beliau is simply translated into
he, sudah into has, mendahului into left before and us into kita.

Idiomatic Translation (Meaning-Based Translation)

Idiomatic translation is the second type of translation proposed by Larson (1984). He states that:
“Idiomatic translation is meaning-based translations which make every effort to
communicate the meaning of the source language text in the natural forms of the receptor
language.” (Larson, 1984:17).

Based on Larson’s statement above, idiomatic translation uses a meaning-based approach in the
process of transferring messages to the TL. Idiomatic translation uses the natural forms of the
receptor language, both in the grammatical constructions and in the choice of lexical items. The
idiomatic translation does not sound like a translation, it sounds like it was written originally in
the receptor language. Usually, some good translations are finished using mixtures of a literal
transfer of the grammatical units along with some idiomatic translation. So, by doing it, the results
of the translation will sound more natural.
For example:
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1. SL : Who has he been living with?

TL : Dengan siapa dia tinggal?
(Margono, 1999:4)

In the example above, we can see that there is a change of structure. The word dengan is placed in
front of the sentence and it makes the sentence better. The readers will find it easy to understand
the translation because it sounds natural. In addition, reproducing a good receptor language text
which communicates the same message as the source language by using the natural grammatical
and lexical choice of the receptor language becomes the main purpose of a translator. Here is one
more example of idiomatic translation:
1. SL : She is a woman of steel.
TL : Dia wanita yang berjiwa kuat.
(Margono, 1999:7)

The idiomatic translation above is acceptable for the target readers because it sounds natural. The
phrase a woman of steel is not simply translated into seorang wanita dari besi but idiomatically
translated into wanita berjiwa kuat because the translator understands the original meaning and
knows both languages well.
2. SL : She is pig-headed.
TL : Dia kepala batu.
(Margono, 1999:7)

The receptor language sounds more natural. However, translations are often a mixture of a literal
transfer of the grammatical units along with some idiomatic translation of the meaning of the text.
It is not easy to consistently translate idiomatically. A translator may express some parts of his
translation in very natural forms and then in other parts fall back into a literal form.

Catford (1978:21) divides three aspects of translation differently, those are: extent, level, and
ranks. Based on the extent, the types of translation are:

1) Full translation. It is a type of translation in which the entire SL text is reproduced by the
TL text materials.
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For example:
1. SL : Hampir seluruh masyarakat Indonesia mengonsumsi nasi sebagai makanan
pokok sehari-hari. (Teknokra Unila)
TL : Almost all Indonesian people consume rice as daily main food.

2) Partial translation, there are only some parts of the SL text to be translated into the TL text.
For example:
1. SL : Dera likes hamburger
TL : Dera suka hamburger

In terms of level, the types of translation are divided into:

1) Total translation. The TL material replaces all levels of the SL text.

For example:
1. SL : Bayi itu telah tidur selama lima jam
TL : The baby has slept for five hours
2) Restricted translation. It is the replacement of SL textual material with equivalent TL
material at only one level; whether at the phonological level, graphological level, or at the
level of grammar and lexis.
For example:
1. SL : Bayi itu telah tidur selama lima jam
TL : Baby that/already sleep/for/ five/ hours

In terms of rank, translation is divided into:

1) Rank-bound translation. It means that the selection of TL text is limited at only one rank,
such as word-for-word equivalence, morpheme-for-morpheme equivalence, etc.
For example:
1. SL : The teacher likes that smart student
TL : Guru menyukai itu pintar murid
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2) Unbounded translation. It can move freely up and down the rank-scale.

For example:
1. SL : The teacher likes that smart student
TL : Guru menyukai murid yang pintar

Based on the purposes of translation, Brislin (1976:3-4) categorizes translation into four types,
namely:

1) Pragmatic translation: it refers to the translation of a message with an interest in accuracy

of the information that was meant to be conveyed in the SL form and it is not conveyed
with other aspects of the original language version e.g. the translation of the information
about repairing a machine.
2) Aesthetic-poetic translation: it refers to translation in which the translator takes into
account the affect, emotion, and feeling of an original version, the aesthetic form used by
the original author, as well as any information in the message, e.g. the translation of sonnet,
rhyme, heroic couplet, dramatic dialogue, and novel.
3) Ethnographic translation: its purpose is to explicate the cultural context of the SL and TL
versions. Translators have to be sensitive to the way words are used and must know how
the word fits into cultures, e.g. the use of the word ‘yes’ versus ‘yeah’ in America.
4) Linguistic translation: it is concerned with equivalent meanings of the constituent
morphemes of the SL and grammatical form, e.g. language in a computer program and
translation machine.

Jakobson (1959/2000:114 in Munday, 2001:5) divides translation into three categories as follows:
 Intralingual translation: an interpretation of verbal signs by means of other signs of
the same language.
 Interlingual translation: an interpretation of verbal signs by means of some other
language.
 Intersemiotic translation: an interpretation of verbal signs by means of signs of non-
verbal sign systems.

Intralingual translation would occur, for example, when we rephrase an expression of text in the
same language to explain or clarify something we might have said or written. Intersemiotic
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translation would occur if a written text were translated, for example, into music, film or painting.
It is interlingual translation which is the traditional, although by no means exclusive, focus of
translation studies.

Newmark (1988:44) states that there are eight kinds of translation, which are word-for-word
translation, literal translation, faithful translation, semantic translation, communicative translation,
idiomatic translation, free translation, and adaptation translation.

Word-for-word translation
Word-for-word translation usually translate the text exactly the same as the source language
without changing the pattern, structure from and sometimes the target language has a little bit
modification for adjusting the meaning of the source language. SL word order is preserved and the
words translated by their most common meanings. Cultural words are translated literally. The main
use of this translation is either to understand the mechanics of the source language or to construe
a difficult text as pre-translation process.
For example:
1. SL : I like a cat
TL : Aku menyukai seekor kucing

Literal translation
The SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents but the lexical
items are again translated out of context. As pre-translation process, it indicates problems to be
solved.
For example:
1. SL : On the way
TL : Di atas jalan

2. SL : Dimana Dera?
TL : Where Dera?
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Faithful translation
According to Newmark (1998:46), “A faithful translation attempts to reproduce the precise
contextual meaning of the origin within the constraints of the TL grammatical structures.” Faithful
translation is a translation that sticks very closely to the original meaning of the article or text from
source language that was translated. Faithful translation is the same method with word-for-word
translation but the difference is word-for-word translation is translating only the word, not the
phrase or clause. While in faithful translation, if the source language is in noun phrase, the target
language must be in noun phrase, too. Faithful translation is usually applied in legal translation.
For example:
1. SL : Rendi is too well aware that he is handsome
TL : Rendi menyadari terlalu baik bahwa ia tampan

Semantic translation
It differs from faithful translation only in as far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value
of the SL text, compromising on meaning where appropriate so that no assonance, word play or
repetition jars in the finished version. It does not rely on cultural equivalence and makes very small
concessions to the readership. While ‘faithful’ translation is dogmatic, semantic translation is more
flexible.
For example :
1. SL : Dera is a book-worm
TL : Dera adalah seorang yang suka sekali membaca.

Communicative translation
It attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the origin in such a way both language and
content are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the readership. Communicative is more
social and puts much emphasis on the message of the text. It is usually produced simpler, brief,
natural and clear than the original text.
For example:
1. SL : Awas lantai basah!
TL : Mind your step! rather than Watch out the floor is wet!
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Idiomatic translation
Idiomatic translation reproduces the meaning of the source language (that is, the meaning intended
by the original communicator) in the natural form of the receptor language (Larson, 1984:17).
Idiomatic translation is a process of translation that changes the form of the source language and
gives the sense of original meaning so that the receptor can understand the translation well. Some
linguists state idiomatic translation as natural translation.
For example:
1. SL : She’s in a good mood
TL : Dia kelihatan ceria

Free translation
It reproduces the matter without the manner, or the content without the form of the original.
Usually it has no regulation in translating text from source language into target language. The
text’s pattern changed depends on the situation (sometimes from word – word into clause – clause).
For example:
1. SL : God is with her
TL : Jangan mengkhawatirkan nya.

Adaptation translation
This kind of translation is usually used in plays. Only the text written is translated, but the
character, plot and the theme are the same as the original plays. This is the freest form of translation
mainly used for plays and poetry: the themes/characters/plots are preserved, the SL culture is
converted to the TL culture and the text is rewritten.

Shiyab (2006:28) states that translation professionals generally agree that there are many types of
translation, but one can sum up these into three:

1. Word for Word Translation – translating a word in the SL to a word in the TL. The problem:
the outcome may not be meaningful and awkward since meaning is not the center of translation.

2. Literal Translation – focuses on the linguistic structure of the ST and acceptable structure of
the TT (linguistic convention of the TT).
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3. Free Translation – sometimes called idiomatic/communicative/dynamic translation. Texts are

translated into the TL based on their meaning, not structure. The translation outcome is
meaningful, clear, and effective as in the ST. This type of translation uses the natural forms of the
target language including grammatical constructions and lexical choices, natural sounding, and
preserves the meaning of the source text. This is the translator’s goal.

In addition, it should be pointed out that type of text, skill of the translator, context and cultural
dimensions are factors that help determine successful and effective translation.

For example:
1. SL : This series offers an introduction to a wide range of popular topics for young
readers.
TL1 : Ini seri menawarkan sebuah pengenalan pada sebuah lebar rentang dari populer
topik untuk muda pembaca.
TL2 : Seri ini menawarkan sebuah pengenalan terhadap rentang topik populer yang
luas untuk pembaca muda.

TL1 is totally unacceptable, in other sources it is called as restricted translation (terjemahan

terbatas) serving to learn the TL grammatical structure. The TL1 is considered as literal translation
(Larson,1984; Nida and Taber, 1969); word for word translation (Newmark,1988). TL2 is
considered as modified literal translation (Larson,1984); literal translation (Newmark,1988). The
Word for word translation proposed by Newmark (1988) is similar to literal translation proposed
by Larson (1984) and Nida and Taber (1969). The literal translation proposed by Newmark (1988)
is similar to modified literal translation proposed by Larson (1984).

Summary
There are some types of translation proposed by the experts. According to Larson (1984:15)
translation is classified into two main types, namely form-based translation and meaning-based
translation. Catford (1978:21) divides three aspects of translation differently, those are: extent,
level, and ranks. Based on the purposes of translation, Brislin (1976:3-4) categorizes translation
into four types, namely: pragmatic translation, aesthetic-poetic translation, ethnographic
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translation, and linguistic translation. In addition, Jakobson makes a very important distinction
between three types of translation. According to Newmark (1988), there are eight kinds of
translation including word-for-word translation, literal translation, faithful translation, semantic
translation, communicative translation, idiomatic translation, free translation, and adaptation
translation. Finally, Shiyab (2006:28) states that translation professionals generally agree that there
are many types of translation, but one can sum up these into three: word for word translation, literal
translation, and free translation.

Glossary
Literal : basic meaning
Idiomatic : consisting expressions that are natural and correct
Restricted : to limit the movements or actions of someone, or to limit something and reduce
its size or prevent it from increasing
Faithful : true or not changing any of the details, facts, style, etc. of the original
Semantic : connected with the meanings of words
Free : not limited or controlled
Pragmatic : how language is affected by the situation in which it is used
Dynamic : continuously changing or developing
Preserve : to keep something as it is
Cultural : relating to the habits, traditions, and beliefs of a society

Exercises
A. Please answer the following questions!
1. Please explain the types of translation proposed by Larson!
2. What is interlingual translation?
3. What is literal translation?
4. What is the difference between word for word translation and literal translation?
5. Please explain about idiomatic translation!
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B. Please translate the following texts into English and vice versa!
1. How will the students react to do some tasks involving the other skills? Will they
appreciate the greater variety and interest of the activities or will they say “We don’t
need to understand spoken English, so why are you asking us to listen to something in
English? We just need to read.” (Tom Hutchinson and Alan Waters 1987:76).
2. The exam was a piece of cake
3. His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye
4. It is raining cats and dogs
5. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

References
Brislin, R.W. 1976. Translation: Application and Research. New York: Gardner Press, Inc
Catford J. 1978. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. London: Oxford University Press.
Catford, J.C. 1965. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. An Essay in Applied Linguistics. London:
Oxford University Press.
Larson Mildred, L. 1984. Meaning Based Translation: A Guide to Cross-Language Equivalence.
New York: Univ.Press
Margono. 1999. Essentials of Theory and Practice of Translation. Denpasar: Fakultas Sastra
Universitas Udayana.
Munday, Jeremy and Basil Hatim. 2004. Translation: An Advanced Resource Book. New York:
Routledge.
Newmark, Peter. 1988. A Text Book of Translation. Great Britain: Prentice Hall International.
Nida, Eugene A., and Taber. 1969. The Theory and Practice of Translation. Leiden: E.J.Brill.
Shiyab, Said M. 2006. A Textbook of Translation: Theoretical and Practical Implications.
Belgium: Garant Publishers

Further Reading
Bassnett, Susan. 2002. Translation Studies: Third Edition. London and New York: Routledge
Hatim, Basil and Jeremy Munday. 2004. Translation: An Advanced Resource Book. New York:
Routledge
Munday, Jeremy. 2001. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. London:
Routledge