Advance Translation

Translation quality assessment (TQA) and

equivalence: Accuracy, acceptability, and readability
The learning outcome
[] Students are able to explain the process of translation
quality assessment (TQA) and equivalent results.
An overview of TQA and translation
equivalent
TQA means assessing the result of translation work =
equivalent result

Translation equivalent:
the result of the accurate expression from SL to TL (Amstrong,
2005); the similarity and accuracy of expressions from the SL
to TL (Hatim & Munday, 2004).

Accuracy is a key term in TQA and equivalent; it is the highest

criterion, followed by acceptability and readability.
The TQA objectives: Research, teaching,
and professional settings
A high quality translation should have three aspects; accuracy,
acceptability, and readability (Nababan, 2012).

Testing the translation Testing the translation

text accuracy text acceptability

Testing the translation

text readability
The TQA steps

Comparing Checking the Checking the

both SL and TL message and norms and
Texts ideas culture

Checking the
TQA result
mechanics
TQA criteria: Nababan’s model (2012)
[1] Accuracy means the equivalent meaning between SL and
TL; the source text and the target text is in corresponding
the same message or not.

SL: Almost 100% elderlies need eyeglasses.

TL: Hampir 100% para lansia membutuhkan kacamata.

SL: Almost 100% elderlies need eyeglasses.

TL: Hampir 100% para orang tua membutuhkan kacamata.
Next
Accuracy scale
Category Score Indicator
Accurate 3 The meaning of SL words, phrases, sentences, and terms
are accurately translated into the TL; no distortion of
meaning.
Less accurate 2 The meaning of SL words, phrases, sentences, and terms
are accurately translated into the TL; however, there is a
distortion of meaning

Not accurate 1 The meaning of SL words, phrases, sentences, and terms

are not accurately translated into the TL.
Next
[2] Acceptability is the degree of naturalness of a translated
text against the rules and culture; a high acceptability will
produce a natural and appropriate translation result.

SL: Thomas said nothing. His eyes staring at the cracked rocky ground.
TL: Thomas bergeming. Matanya menatap tanah kering berbatu.

SL: Thomas said nothing. His eyes staring at the cracked rocky ground.
TL: Thomas tidak mengatakan apa-apa. Matanya menatap tanah
berbatu yang kering.
Next
Acceptability scale
Category Score Indicator

Acceptable 3 TL text looks natural; the terms, phrases, clauses, and

sentences used is in accordance with the rules of TL.

Less 2 TL text looks natural; however, there is use of uncommon

acceptable terms and grammatical error.

Not 1 TL text looks unnatural and it feels like a translation work.

acceptable
 Next
[3] Readability is the degree to which a translated text is easy to
read and understand; a high readability will result the text easy
to read and understand; it is also influenced the sentence
length, new words, and complexity.

SL: The eyes have been referred to the most important part of the body
surface.
TL: Mata dikatakan sebagai bagian permukaan tubuh yang paling penting.
SL: The eyes have been referred to the most important part of the body
surface.
TL: Mata merupakan bagian tubuh yang paling penting.
Next
Readability scale
Category Score Indicator

High readability 3 TL words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and terms are

easy to read and understand by the readers.

Medium 2 TL text can be understood by the readers; however,

readability there are some parts of the text that should be read
more than once.
Lower readability 1 TL text is difficult for readers to understand.
The scores
S = accuracy + acceptability + readability
3

Scores Categories

2.6 - 3.0 Good translation

2.0 - 2.5 Sufficient translation

< 2.0 Bad translation

TQA criteria: Machali’s model (2000)
Categories Scores Indicators

Excellent 86-95; (A) Accurate, Acceptable, Readable; Natural; Correct, Formal

Very Good 76-85; (B) Accurate, Acceptable, Readable; Natural; Correct, Some Non-
formal terms less than 15%

Good 61-75; (C) Accurate, Acceptable, Readable; 85% Natural, 15% Literal; Some
Incorrect and Non-formal terms less than 15%

Sufficient 46-60; (D) Some inaccurate, Acceptable, Readable; 75% Natural, 25% Literal;
Some Incorrect and Non-formal terms near to 25%

Bad < 45; (E) Some inaccurate, Readable, Understandable (the distortion of
meaning); 50% Natural, 50% Literal; Some Incorrect and Non-
formal terms more than 25%.
The equivalent degrees
Equivalent degrees Equivalent results

Optimum translation= (3)/(86-95) The highest degree; meet all equivalent criteria

Near-optimum translation=
(2.6-3.0)/(76-85) Reduce from optimum due to the readability

Partial translation= 2.0-2.5/(61-75) Reduce from near-optimum due to the

acceptability and readability

Poor translation= < 2.0/(46-60) The poor version due to accuracy, acceptability,
and readability

Mistranslation= (< 45) The lowest degree, due to accuracy,

acceptability, readability, and out of context
 Translation work: Work in group
Slang Typologies and Subtitling Strategies in Spenser Confidential Movie*
Abstract
This research analyzed the slang expressions used in the Indonesian subtitle of the 2020 movie, Spenser
Confidential with the Indonesian subtitle from Netflix. This research sought out the type of slangs and the
strategies used to translate the slangs into Indonesian. The research method used for this research is the
qualitative method. This research uses type of slangs by Mattiello and subtitling strategies by Cintas and
Remael. The type of slangs found within the movie are compounding, suffixation, conversion, acronym and
initialisms, clipping, and word manufacture, while the strategies used are simplifying verbal phrases, using
near-synonym, changing word classes, changing negations or questions into affirmative sentences or
assertions and indirect questions into direct questions, turning long and/or compound sentences into simple
sentences, and omission. The subtitling strategies were used to eliminate parts of the messages that are
deemed unimportant to the movie and reduce the amount of text displayed on the screen. Therefore,
concepts were possible to be delivered more efficiently. In addition, cultural constraints may also be the
reason as to why slangs were often omitted. 
* Ibrahim, M. H., & Amilia, I. K. (2023). Slang Typologies and Subtitling Strategies in Spenser Confidential Movie. Journal of
English Language Studies, 8(1), 200-218.
References
Armstrong, N. (2005). Translation, linguistics, culture: A
French-English handbook. Multilingual Matters.
Baihaqi, A. (2017). Penerjemahan dan kesepadan dalam
penerjemahan. Staisman Press.
Baker, M. (1992). In other words: A coursebook on translation.
Routledge.
Machali, R. (2000). Pedoman bagi penerjemah. Grasindo.
Nababan, M., Nuraeni, A., & Sumardiono. (2012).
Pengembangan Model Penilaian Kualitas Terjemahan.
Kajian Linguistik dan Sastra, 24(1), 39-57.
Thank You