A Translation Study On Responding of Requesting Speech Act in The Heroes of
A Translation Study On Responding of Requesting Speech Act in The Heroes of
A Translation Study On Responding of Requesting Speech Act in The Heroes of
Mangatur Nababan
Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
amantaradja@gmail.com
Djatmika
Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
djatmika@uns.ac.id
DOI: 10.18326/rgt.v9i2.696v[]i[].1-15
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18326/rgt.v10i2.200-220
Submission
Track: ENGLISH ABSTRACT
Received: This research aims to find the translation techniques and evaluate the
translation quality in the form of acceptability assessment on
31/10/2017 responding of requesting speech act in the novel The Heroes of
Olympus Series. This is a qualitative descriptive research. The primary
Final Revision: data sources are the novels The Heroes of Olympus Series. Meanwhile,
23/11/2017 the secondary data sources are derived from minute meeting of two
raters who have competencies in assessing translation quality and in
Available online: evaluating the translation. The methods to collect and analyze the data
are content analysis and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The study
.01/12/2017 found 13 translation techniques applied in translating the responding
of requesting speech act. They are Establish equivalent, Variation,
Borrowing (Pure borrowing and Naturalized borrowing), Modulation,
Amplification (Explicit, Addition, and Paraphrase), Adaptation,
Discursive creation, Transposition, Generalization, Reduction, Literal,
Substitution, and Linguistic compression. Dealing with the translation
quality in the form of acceptability assessment, 77 data (86.51%) are
acceptable translations and 12 data (13.48%) are less acceptable. The
majority of acceptable translations use establishes equivalent
technique. The less acceptable translations apply modulation,
amplification addition, and discursive creation techniques.
Keyword: responding of requesting speech act, translation
techniques, translation acceptability
INDONESIAN ABSTRACT
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan teknik-teknik
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INTRODUCTION
In the process of translating, translation includes the transfer of meaning from the
source text to the target text. Translation can be a liaison in the process of transferring
information between target and source language users. To correlate the relationship between
two different cultures and languages, qualified translations are urgently needed, so the transfer
and disclosure of messages from the source text to the target one can be well conveyed, for
example, in the field of literature, such as novels. For Western literature readers, translations
will be helpful when reading it in a familiar text, familiar to the target language audience.
Translating literary works is not easy. Although the translators are able to translate
well, they cannot fully assure that they make good interpretation upon the text. For example,
translators are often unable to translate difficult terms in the source text, and they cannot find
the equivalent meanings in the target text. Whereas the task of a translator is to transfer
language and culture of the source text into the target one in order to make the reader
understands the message and the meaning of the source text.
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Using language as a tool of communication has a specific purpose that the hearer can
understand our intentions. Therefore, in this case, the response of the hearer is our main
concern. (Austin, 1962) argues that by saying or in saying something we are doing something.
To get a goal, the speaker tries to transfer the message briefly, clearly and meaningfully to the
hearer. Then, the hearer supposed it by giving a response directly.
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Accordingly, the focus of this study is on translation techniques usage and translation
acceptability on responding of requesting speech act. Responding to requesting speech act is a
response to requesting speech act, it is a part of directive speech act. (Searle, 1979) reveals
that the main point of requesting speech act in communication indicates the hearers response
(count as an attempt to get how to do something). Then, the speaker hopes that the hearer can
give a response either in the form of verbal or in the form of non-verbal language. Although,
the researcher maps out only on the verbal response in this study. (Sarlito, 1995) says that
response is the activity or inhibition of the previous activity of an organism resulting from
stimulation. (Gulo, 1996) also states that response is the reaction of the receiver after
perceiving or understanding the message (depend on stimulation). Then, we can say that
response plays an important role in communication. It is essential for the completion of the
whole communication system. It enables the sender/speaker to evaluate the effectiveness of
the message. It is also inevitably essential in case of two-way communication. Without a
response, two-way communications are either ineffective or incomplete.
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Breaking Dawn. The results state that there are four types of politeness strategy i.e. negative
politeness, positive politeness, bald on record and on record, finds the friction of politeness
strategy in the target text caused by applying amplification addition and reduction techniques.
The later, (Mansur, 2014) analyzes the mitigation on commanding of speech act in the two
novel series by Harry Potter. The two studies above have focused on a single topic of speech
acts, but none has yet exposed the aspect of giving of responses from speech acts. For this
reason, the researcher considers this issue as an opportunity to conduct this research focusing
on responding of requesting speech act in the novel the Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick
Riordan.
Translation Techniques
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following are the techniques: (a) Adaptation: this technique is replacing a source text (ST)
cultural element with one from the target culture, for example, ST: her skin as white as snow,
then in TT: kulitnya seputih kapas. (b) Amplification: this technique introduces details those
are not formulated in the ST e.g. information, explicative paraphrasing. Footnotes are a type
of amplification. Amplification is in opposition to reduction, for example, Ramadan is coming
underway (ST). Bulan puasa kaum muslim segera tiba (TT). (c) Borrowing: this technique
takes a word or expression straight from another language. It can be pure (without any
change), for example, ST: My mother asks me to take mixer, then in TT: Ibuku memintaku
untuk mengambil mixer. Naturalized borrowing (to fit the spelling rules in the TL), for
example, ST: My mother asks me to take mixer, then in TT: Ibuku memintaku untuk
mengambil mikser. (d) Calque: this technique is literal translation of a foreign word or phrase;
it can be lexical or structural, for example, ST: Directorate General, TT: Direktorat Jenderal.
(e) Compensation: this technique introduces a ST element of information or stylistic effect in
another place in the TT because it cannot be reflected in the same place as in the ST, for
example, ST: you can let your imagination go wild with a vision board, TT: melalui papan
visi, anda bias membiarkan imajinasi mengembara sejauh mungkin. (f) Description: this
technique replaces a term or expression with a description of its form or/and function, for
example, ST: she eats panettone, TT: dia makan kue traditional Italia yang dimakan pada
saat tahun baru. (g) Discursive creation: this technique establishes a temporary equivalence
that is totally unpredictable out of context, for example, ST: shes got a great spike, huh?, TT:
dia cantik bukan?. (h) Established equivalent: this technique uses a term or expression
recognized (by dictionaries or language in use) as an equivalent in the TL, for example, ST:
lets see, TT: mari kita lihat. (i) Generalization: this technique uses a more general or neutral
term, for example, ST: Im going to make a pie, TT: Aku akan membuat kue. (j) Linguistic
amplification: this technique adds linguistic elements. This is often used in consecutive
interpreting and dubbing, for example, ST: its parents have run off. Give it to me, TT:
Orangtuanya telah melarikan diri. Berikan anak itu padaku. (k) Linguistic compression: this
technique synthesizes linguistic elements in the TT. This is often used in simultaneous
interpreting and in sub-titling, for example, ST: Yes, I can, TT: Ya. (l) Literal translation: this
technique translates a word or an expression word for word, for example, ST: Killing two
birds with one stone, TT: Membunuh dua ekor burung dengan satu batu. (m) Modulation:
this technique changes the point of view, focus or cognitive category in relation to the ST; it
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can be lexical or structural, for example, ST: I cut my finger, TT: Jarikuteriris. (n)
Particularization: this technique uses a more precise or concrete term. It is in opposition to
generalization, for example, ST: I see the air transportation, TT: Aku melihat pesawat. (o)
Reduction: this technique suppresses a ST information item in the TT. It is in opposition to
amplification, for example, ST: Thats kind of perfect, TT: Ini sempurna. (p) Substitution
(linguistic, paralinguistic): this technique changes linguistic elements for paralinguistic
elements (intonation, gestures). It is used above all in interpreting, for example, ST: (gesture:
thanking by putting hand on the chest), TT: Terima kasih. (q) Transposition: this technique
changes a grammatical category, for example, ST: My brother works at the Bank, TT:
Pekerjaan adikku di Bank. (r) Variation: this technique changes linguistic or paralinguistic
elements (intonation, gestures) that affect aspects of linguistic variation: changes of textual
tone, style, social dialect, geographical dialect, for example, ST: Lets join us, dude!, TT:
Bergabunglah bersama kita, mas!.
Translation Acceptability
Acceptability is the second aspect of assessing the translation quality. In this case, the
term acceptability refers to the context of whether a translation has been disclosed in
accordance with the rules, norms, and cultures that exist in the target language or not, and that
aspect of acceptability must be both macro and micro. If a translation has a high degree of
accuracy, it does not necessarily have a high degree of acceptability as well. It means the
content or message is not appropriate to the rules, norms, and cultures prevailing within the
scope of the target language audience. So that, it will be rejected by the target reader. In short,
the aspect of acceptability has important functions and roles in making work of translation to
be good quality.
Table1. The Instrument of Acceptability Assessment of Translation
Translation Score Qualitative parameters
category
Acceptable 3 Translation is natural; technical terms used are
commonly used and familiar to the reader; phrases,
clauses, and sentences that are used are in accordance
with the rules of Indonesian.
Less acceptable 2 In general, translations are already natural; but there is
little problem with the use of technical terms or a few
grammatical errors.
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RESEARCH METHOD
This is a qualitative descriptive research. The data sources are the novels The Heroes
of Olympus Series and the minute meeting of FGD (Focus Group Discussion). There are two
kinds of data in this research; primary and secondary data.
Primary data in this research are the utterances that contain responding of requesting
speech act which is uttered by the characters in the novel The Heroes of Olympus Series in the
source text and the translation technique can be found by comparing the findings of data from
the source text and target text in order to determine the translation techniques. Then, the
translation quality assessed by setting up FGD (focus-group discussion) with two raters to
discuss all data that researchers have obtained in determining the quality of the translation
(accuracy, acceptability, and readability). Then, the minute meeting of FGD plays as
secondary data.
The accumulating of the data is applying a content analysis. The procedure of content
analysis are (1) Reading. The researcher reads the novels and its translation, marks the
utterances that contain responding of requesting speech act, understands the context of the
utterances. (2) Identifying. The researcher identifies the translation techniques used. (3)
Calculating. The researcher calculates the frequency of application of translation techniques in
translating. (4) Analyzing. The researcher analyzes the impact of translation techniques used
toward the translation quality. (5) Reporting. The researcher retells the data which had been
analyzed in the form of conclusion (Santosa, 2014).
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allow us to describe the actual steps taken by the translators in each textual micro-unit and
obtain clear data about the general methodological option. Furthermore, the researcher also
shows the effect of using translation techniques toward the translation quality in the form of
acceptability assessment.
Since this research is a translation research with utterances data, the context must be
familiarized. The context of a speech is very influential on the interpretation of speech acts by
speakers and hearers. (Sudaryat, 2009) says that context is a feature of nature outside the
language that fosters meaning in speech or discourse (the non-linguistic environment of
discourse). Kleden in (Sudaryat, 2009) explains that context is the specific space and time
facing a person or group of people. Context becomes important when it is experienced in a
way that becomes open to readers and interpreted by anyone.
Context is an object or thing that resides with text and becomes the environment or
situation of language usage. The context can be a linguistic context and extra-linguistic
context (Sudaryanto, 2009). The linguistic context is the context of the elements of language.
The linguistic context includes of the preposition, the nature of the verb, the auxiliary verbs,
and the positive proposition. The context of extra-linguistics is a context that is not a linguistic
element. The extra-linguistic context includes the context of utterances that include prejudice,
participants, topics or topic frameworks, settings, channels, and codes (Sudaryanto, 2009).
Therefore, the use of any form and nature of the discourse must pay attention to the
context in order to use the language appropriately and to determine the meaning appropriately
as well. In other words, language users are always context-bound in using language both
linguistic contexts and extra-linguistic contexts because it is very important in understanding
the meaning between speakers and hearers.
The researcher finds some translation techniques from the results of the translation
research of responding of requesting speech act. From analyzing 89 data, the researcher finds
13 translation techniques and 564 times applied at the micro level.
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that is based on the application of translation techniques. So that, the technique that dominates
will be seen. Below is the table of findings of translation techniques and frequency of
application in translating the responding of requesting speech act in the novel The Heroes of
Olympus Series.
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Lets see.
TT: Kita harus menolong mereka,
Bisakah kau__
Mari kita lihat
TT: Bu,
3. Pure borrowing: there are 24 data found in this technique and 30 times applied
at the micro level, for example:
ST: Wish me luck
Fight well, Percy Jackson,
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The words "Percy Jackson" is the name of the person. The name is in
the source text and translated into the target text with the same word or the
name is borrowed without any change at all.
Naturalized borrowing: there are 2 data found in this technique and 2 times
applied at the micro level, for example:
ST: Next time, can I take a polygraph?
Youre not a typical recruit.
TT: Lain kali, boleh aku minta tes pendeteksi kebohongan saja?
kau bukanlah recrut biasa.
4. Modulation: there are 23 data found in this technique and 26 times applied at
the micro level, for example:
ST: would you keep it for me?
Im Plutos daughter. Everything I touch goes wrong.
The word "got" in the source text is the hidden information. Therefore
the word "got" is translated into the target text to "bisa mengatasi" which aims
to add the information in order to the target reader can more easily understand.
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The word "man" in the source text is translated to "bung" in the target
text. It shows that the translator translates by adjusting to what is in the culture
of the target language.
7. Discursive creation: there are 5 data found in this technique and 5 times
applied at the micro level, for example:
ST: Tell me, why are you worthy of a share in our spoils?'
'What spoils?'
TT: Beritahu aku kenapa kau layak mendapatkan sebagian dari pampasan
kami?"
"Pampasan apa?"
The words "what spoils?" is translated to pampasan apa? becomes
slightly ambiguous, because the target reader is not familiar with its
translation, but they understand better if "spoils" is translated into "rampasan".
8. Transposition: there are 4 data found in this technique and 5 times applied at
the micro level, for example:
ST: Can you recalibrate the aim like, towards the other onagers firing
lines?
Oh, I like the way you think. They sent me because I excel at
messing things up.
TT: Bisakah kau mengalibrasi ulang bidikan senjata inimisalnya kejalur
tembakan onager lain?
Oh, aku suka cara berpikirmu. Mereka mengutusku karena aku
jago mengacau.
The word "I excel at messing things up" in the source text is a verb
phrase. Then, it is translated into aku jago mengacau which can be
categorized as a noun phrase in the target text. In this case, the transposition
technique occurs because of the change of form from the verb phrase to the
noun phrase.
9. Generalization: there are 4 data found in this technique and 4 times applied at
the micro level, for example:
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10. Reduction: there are 4 data found in this technique and 4 times applied at the
micro level, for example:
ST: Could we please not talk about him in the past tense?
Im sorry dear. I didnt want to leave your father, of course. Its
always so hard, but it was for the best.
TT: Tolong, bisakah kita tidak memakai katadulu untuk membicarakan
ayah?
Maafkan aku, sayang. Aku tidak ingin meninggalkan ayahmu,
tentu saja. Melakukannya selalu saja berat, tapi itulah yang
terbaik.
11. Literal: there are 4 data found in this technique and 4 times applied at the
micro level, for example:
ST: Then help me, or youre all dead!
Group hug!
TT: Kalau begitu, bantu aku atau kalian semua bakal mati!
Pelukan Kelompok!
12. Substitution: there are 2 data found in this technique and 2 times applied at the
micro level, for example:
ST: Can you get ready?
Yeah...
TT: Bisakah kau bersiap-siap?
Iya...
13. Linguistic compression: there are 1 data found in this technique and 1
timeapplied at the micro level, for example:
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ST: Could you and Ella escort the coach back to Camp Half-Blood
safely?
Yes!
We can do that!
TT: Bisakah kau dan Ella mengantar pak Pelatih ke Perkemahan Blasteran
dengan selamat?
Ya!
Kami bisa!
c. Unacceptable 1 0 89
= 255
89
= 2.86
Of the 89 data obtained from this study, 77 data (86.51%) were acceptable translations
and 12 data (13.48%) were less acceptable. So, the average of acceptable translations is 2.86.
The value indicates that the translation of responding of requesting speech act in the novel The
Heroes of Olympus Series tends to be acceptable. It can be said that with the results of this
study, the messages contained in the source text can be well conveyed into the target text.
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Sure, Annabeth.
Tentu saja, Annabeth.
4 Next time, can I take a Lain kali, boleh aku minta tes Less
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5 Frank, Percy said, Its Frank, kata Percy, semua bergantung Less
up to you. Can you help padamu. Bisakah kautolong mereka? acceptable
them?
Oh, gods,he
Demi dewa-dewi, gumam
murmured.Okay, sure.
pemudaitu, oke, tentusaja
From the table, it can be clearly seen that data 1, 2, 3 and 6 show the acceptability of
translation. In this study, among the researcher and 2 raters give 3 of the score. It happens
because of its data, the translator used 3 translation techniques; establish equivalent, pure
borrowing, and variation. By using 3 translation techniques above, the source text can be well
conveyed into target text exactly. Then, data 4 and 5 show the less of acceptability of
translation which the researcher and 2 raters give 2 of the score on the translation results. In
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this study, the translator used 3 translation techniques, modulation, amplification addition and
discursive creation which make the target text less natural by the addition of slightly
exaggerated language and the message of the source text translated in opposition to the
prevailing culture within the scope of the target reader.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher finds 13 translation techniques
applied in translating the responding of requesting speech act i.e. Establish equivalent,
Variation, Borrowing (Pure borrowing and Naturalized borrowing), Modulation,
Amplification (Explicit, Addition, and Paraphrase), Adaptation, Discursive creation,
Transposition, Generalization, Reduction, Literal, Substitution, and Linguistic compression.
Establish equivalent technique is the most dominant technique with the application of 339
times.
Afterward, the translation quality in the form of acceptability assessment in this study
tends to be good because the average is 2.86. Based on an acceptability assessment made by
two raters and researcher in a focus group discussion (FGD), there are 77 acceptable data
from 89, with the majority of applying Establish equivalent technique. It can be concluded
that the use of Establish equivalent that dominates in translating the novel series has a positive
impact on the translation quality especially in the form of acceptability assessment.
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