Studi Komparatif Struktur Bahasa Inggris dan Bahasa Indonesia dalam Penerjemahan Sastra

Comparative Study of English and Indonesian Language Structures in Literary Translation

The art of translation is a delicate balance of maintaining the essence of the original text while adapting it to the linguistic and cultural nuances of the target language. This task becomes even more challenging when the languages involved have distinct structural differences, such as English and Indonesian. This article will delve into the comparative study of English and Indonesian language structures in literary translation.

The Structure of English Language

English, a Germanic language, has a complex structure with a strict word order. It is a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) language, meaning the typical sentence structure follows this order. English relies heavily on the use of auxiliary verbs and verb tenses to express time and mood. Moreover, it uses prepositions to indicate relationships between words and phrases.

The Structure of Indonesian Language

On the other hand, Indonesian, an Austronesian language, has a more flexible structure. It is also an SVO language, but the word order can be altered for emphasis or style without changing the meaning of the sentence. Indonesian does not use tenses like English; instead, it uses context and time indicators to express time. It also uses affixes to change the meaning of words, unlike English which uses separate words or phrases.

Challenges in Literary Translation

The structural differences between English and Indonesian pose several challenges in literary translation. For instance, the lack of tenses in Indonesian can make it difficult to accurately translate the time aspect of English texts. Similarly, the use of affixes in Indonesian can complicate the translation of English phrases. Moreover, literary texts often contain idiomatic expressions, metaphors, and cultural references that may not have direct equivalents in the target language.

Strategies for Effective Translation

Despite these challenges, effective strategies can be employed to ensure accurate and culturally sensitive translations. One such strategy is the use of dynamic equivalence, which prioritizes the conveyance of the message over a literal word-for-word translation. This approach allows the translator to adapt the text to the cultural and linguistic context of the target language. Additionally, the translator can use footnotes or endnotes to explain cultural references or idiomatic expressions that may not be familiar to the target audience.

In conclusion, the comparative study of English and Indonesian language structures in literary translation reveals significant differences that pose challenges in the translation process. However, with the use of effective strategies, these challenges can be overcome to produce translations that are both accurate and culturally sensitive. This not only enhances the readability of the translated text but also ensures that the essence of the original text is preserved.