Strategies Used by Professional Translators

1. Translation by a more general word (superordinate)

This strategy is the strategy most commonly used to analyze types of non-equivalence in propositional meaning. This strategy works by replacing words that are too specific with more general words

Example:

ST: Then you can fry the potato in boiling oil

TT: Lalu masak kentangnya di minyak mendidih 

2. Translation by a more neutral/less expressive word

This strategy uses a more neutral word in its application.

Example:

ST: “I’ve told you, DON”T TOUCH IT!” she cried.

TT: “Aku sudah bilang, JANGAN SENTUH!” serunya.

If 'cried' is translated into Indonesian, it means 'crying', and not in accordance with the original meaning of screaming emotionally. Hence the translator uses the more common word, 'seru', to translate it.

3. Translation by cultural substitution

This strategy involves replacing an item from source language into target language which does not have the same propositional meaning but is likely to have a similar impact on the target reader. The advantage of this strategy is that the TL reader can identify things in SL with something familiar in her / his culture. On an individual level, the translator’s decision to use this strategy will largely depend on: a) how much licence is given to him or her by those who commission the translation; b) the purpose of the translation; c) the translator’s own judgement of the desirability or otherwise of obscuring the cultural specificity of the source text. But on more general level, it depending on the limitations of the translation norms in a particular region.

ST: Para siswa akan mendengarkan dongeng Ronggeng Dukuh Paru

TT: The students will listen to the legend of the dancer

4. Translation using a loan word or loan word plus explanation

This strategy is commonly used to translate culture-specific items. The translator will continue to use the borrowed language followed by an explanation. This will make it easier for the reader to understand deeper reading where the word is repeated frequently in the text.

Example:

ST: La tomatina this year used more than 500 kg of tomatoes in celebration

TT: La tomatina tahun ini menggunakan lebih dari 500 kg tomat dalam perayaannya

5. Translation by paraphrase using a related word

This strategy is used when the source item in lexicalized in the TL but in a different form, and when the frequency with which a certain form is used in the source text is obviously higher than it would be natural in the TL.

Example:

ST: The rich and  creamy  KOLESTRAL-SUPER is easy to apply and has a pleasant fragrance.

TL: Kolestral-super is rich and concentrated in its make-up which gives a product  that resembles cream . . .

6. Translation by paraphrase using unrelated words

The paraphrase strategy can be used when the concept in the source item is not lexicalized in the TL. When the meaning of the source item is complex in the TL, the paraphrase strategy may be used instead of using related words; it may be based on modifying a super-ordinate or simply on making clear the meaning of the source item.

Example:

ST: This school does not yet have sufficient accreditation

TT: Sekolah ini belum memiliki penilaian terhadap pengakuan lembaga pendidikan  yang cukup baik

7. Translation by omission

This may be a drastic kind of strategy, but in fact it may be even useful to omit translating a word or expression in some contexts. If the meaning conveyed by a particular item or expression is not necessary to mention in the understanding of the translation, translators use this strategy to avoid lengthy explanations. There are various reasons for this to happen, for instance, when the omission of such a word or expression does not hamper the meaning of the source text.

Example:

ST: This video show us in real-life detail the way our country was formed

TT: Video ini menunjukkan kepada kita secara bagaimana negara kita terbentuk

8. Translation by illustration

This strategy can be useful when the target equivalent item does not cover some aspects of the source item and the equivalent item refers to a physical entity which can be illustrated, particularly in order to avoid over-explanation and to be concise and to the point.