This research examines sexual
terms uttered by the characters in the dialogues of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. It
aims to identify the types of sexual terms, explore the translation strategies
used, and evaluate the translation quality in terms of accuracy and
acceptability. Guided by Battistella’s (2005) classification of taboo
expressions and Baker’s (2018) translation strategy, this research also applies
the accuracy and acceptability scale of Nababan et al.’s (2012). This
qualitative research used data sources in the forms of documents and informants.
The findings show a total of 114 data of sexual terms, categorized into three
types: obscenity (80 data), vulgarity (30 data), and epithets (4 data).
Additionally, the study identified seven translation strategies employed to
render these expressions: translation using taboo expression with similar
expressive meaning and form, translation using taboo expression with less
expressive meaning but similar form, translation using taboo expression with
less expressive meaning and dissimilar form, translation using non taboo
expression with less expressive meaning and dissimilar form, translation by
paraphrase, translation by omission, translation using taboo expression with
similar expressive meaning but dissimilar form. Regarding accuracy, the
analysis shows that 65 data are accurate, 43 data are less accurate, and 6 data
are inaccurate. In terms of acceptability, 105 data are acceptable, and 9 data
are less acceptable. Consequently, the average accuracy score is 2.51, indicating
that the translations are generally less accurate. On the other hand, the
average acceptability score is 2.92, suggesting that the translations are
largely acceptable. The findings underscore the importance of selecting
translation strategies to effectively preserve the intended meaning and
emotional impact of sexual terms.
