An Analysis of Translation Techniques, Methods, and Quality of Business Letters Translations in Shopaholic Ties the Knot Novel

Oleh :
Ikke Dewi Pratama - C0307033 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

This research was conducted to analyze the business letters translations in Shopaholic Ties the Knot novel. The source of data in this research is a novel entitled Shopaholic Ties the Knot. The objectives of this research are to find out the techniques, the methods, and the quality of the business letters translations. The methodology applied is descriptive-qualitative. The data were obtained by applying some methods, i.e. content analyzing of the business letters translations, and delivering questionnaires to the raters and the respondents. The first data is 12 business letters texts found in the novel entitled Shopaholic Ties the Knot. By analyzing the business letters, the researcher found the findings of translation techniques and translation methods. The second data are the results of the translation quality assessments done by the informants. The researcher divided each letters into some discourse units. Then, the translation techniques were identified in the micro-unit level, i.e. in the level of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Meanwhile, the translation methods and the translation quality were analyzed in the level of text. The findings show that the translator uses 11 types of translation techniques. They are: (1) borrowing, (2) established equivalence, (3) transposition, (4) literal translation, (5) reduction, (6) amplification, (7) variation, (8) modulation, (9) particularization, (10) generalization, and (11) adaptation. The tendencies of the translation techniques used also shows that the translator applies communicative translation method. The results of the questionnaires shows that the translation of business letters in Shopaholic Ties the Knot novel is less accurate, less acceptable, and less readable. Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that the techniques and method used by the translator result in less accurate, less readable and less acceptable translations. It is also found out that business letters translation should employ formal language in order to adjust it with the target language’s principles. The level of formality can be obtained by employing appropriate techniques and dictions. Meanwhile, in order to make the translation readable, as the data are gained from a novel, the translator should use communicative method.