different set of assumptions and shared knowledge of the different languages
and cultures. For example: (1) SL: Dialah satu-satunya perawan suci di kampung
.
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study Implicit information is the information “for which there is no form,” but it is “a part of the total communication intended or assumed by the writer” (Larson, 1984: 38). As far as the source of implicit information is concerned, Larson (1984: 84) suggests that some information is left implicit because of the structure of the source language, the shared information in the communication situation, or it has been included somewhere else in the text or utterance. Very naturally, we may feel that the implicit information presumed in literary texts is brought about by their own attributes. In translation, translating implicit information can be a demanding task due to the fact that implicit information has meaning which is not overtly seen. In addition, the translation of implicit information may lead to misinterpretation of the target language because of the linguistic and cultural differences between the source and target languages. Besides, it can produce ambiguity or even vagueness in the natural form of the target language. In obtaining good translation, translators must understand language, culture and implicit meaning found in the source language and the target language. A good translation is a translation which conveys messages, thoughts, idea, and concepts from the source language thoroughly and correctly. Larson (1998) stated that effective translation transfers the meaning (semantics) of the source language
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to the target language by changing the form (lexicon and grammar) of the source language into the form of the target language. In other words, the original meaning must stay constant, the form it takes in the target language does not matter. Besides, the target language should be in its natural forms and appropriately communicative in the sense that it can convey all the flavors and aspects of meaning which are readily understandable to the readers. One area of concern in conveying accurate meaning in the natural form of the target language involves the manifestation of implicit and explicit information. Not all the meanings communicated are cited overtly in the original text. Discovering the underlying meaning of the SL text requires the translator`s careful consideration of both explicit and implicit information. The translator should be aware of the point that in every single language there is meaning which is expressed explicitly and there is some meaning which is left implicit, due to the different set of assumptions and shared knowledge of the different languages and cultures. For example: (1)
SL: Dialah satu-satunya perawan suci di kampung itu, tempat para perempuan mengadukan nasib mereka” (Rusmini, 2000: 43)
TL: “She is the single holy virgin, where all the other women go to pour out their troubles” (Hunter, 2000: 43)
(2)
SL: ”Apa menariknya tubuhmu? Kau akan telanjang? Bukankah kau perawan suci …?” (Rusmini: 2000: 45)
TL: “What’s so special about your body? You’ll naked? Aren’t you the goddess …?” (Hunter: 2000, 45)
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Those sentences express implicit information in the word “perawan suci” in the SL but it is translated into different forms of TL “holy virgin” and “goddess”. In translating “perawan suci” into “holy virgin” and “the goddess, it seems that translator’s interpretation plays an important role in the translation of implicit information, especially the simile as in the example above. The first simile “perawan suci” in the SL is translated grammatically and idiomatically into “holy virgin” in TL since the translator wants to maintain the message of the SL, which is in the form of simile. Meanwhile, in the translation of the second simile “perawan suci” there is a shift of point of view, in which the woman (you) is assumed to be a goddess because of her behavior and attitude. In this case, the simile is translated into English, which is represented by the comparison between ‘she’ and ‘holy virgin’, between ‘you’ and ‘the goddess’, which equally mean “a woman who is admired and loved very much by other people because she is morally and religiously good. In spite of the implicit information in literary texts, the author of the source text often becomes more capable of communicating ideas, feelings and impressions that are not necessarily expressed in words. Meanwhile, by implicit information, the author endows literary texts with their unique density; as the texts which are rich in implicit information usually cause the reader to process them more conceptually. The implicit information has its own characteristics, such as graded communicability and context-dependence.
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On the other hand, due to the unique density of the literary texts and the way in which the implicit information is conveyed, the translator of literary texts often finds more difficulties in translating the implicit information of the source texts. Seeing the factors related to the occurrence of implicit information in literary texts described above, this study attempts to build an explanatory framework in the translation of implicit information and to develop interpretation knowledge. The discussion is necessarily limited to the limited words, phrases and sentences based on semantic relation to the implicit information found in the translation of Indonesian short story entitled “Sepotong Tubuh” with their translation into English entitled “Body”.
1.2 Problems of the Study There are two problems of interest to be discussed in this study. The problems under concern are as follows: 1.
What types of implicit information are found in the SL “Sepotong Tubuh” and how are they translated into the TL “Body”?
2.
What factors determining the translation of Indonesian implicit information into English made by the translator?
1.3 Objectives of the Study Considering the problems formulated above, the objectives of the study can be stated as the general and specific objectives, which can be elaborated as follows:
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1.3.1 General Objectives The general objectives of this study include: 1. To apply the knowledge of translation with related theories under study. 2. To improve the ability in interpreting and determining the meaning of the implicit information in the SL and the TL implicit information.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives The specific objectives of this study are: 1.
To identify and describe the types of Indonesian implicit information in the SL “Sepotong Tubuh” and its English equivalents in the TL “Body” , and to describe the way
taken by the translator to transfer the SL implicit
information into the TL implicit information. 2.
To indicate and analyze the factors that determine the translation of Indonesian implicit information in “Sepotong Tubuh into English implicit information in “Body”
1.4 Significance of the Study This study is significant in at least two ways, namely theoretical and practical significances. Theoretically, this study is expected to be able to contribute to the development of translation studies and to be used as a reference especially in the study of implicit information in Indonesian-English translation. Practically, this study is also intended to provide information in understanding and interpreting the meaning implied in the translation of implicit
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information in the SL “Sepotong Tubuh” into the TL “Body” on the basis of which any text can be analyzed and its translation can be more easily coped with.
