The Back Translation from Connotative
into Denotative Words and Phrases: English-Indonesian
Translation
Double Blind
Abstract
- This study investigates the use of
connotative words and phrases in the novel Raumanen and aims to
translate them into their denotative equivalents. It further examines whether
the translated (target) text retains the original meaning of the source text.
Data were collected from the novel Raumanen, and the research employed a
descriptive qualitative method. The steps included: (a) identifying connotative
words and phrases in the source language, (b) re-translating them using
denotative expressions, and (c) comparing the meanings between the original
translator’s version and the researchers’ re-translation. The findings indicate
that translating connotative expressions into denotative language often results
in unnatural phrasing and ambiguous meaning in the target text.
Keywords: translation; connotative meaning;
denotative meaning
1. Introduction
Translation is defined as the process of converting the
meaning of a written message from one language to another (Kruželák, 2021;
Ghosal, 2023). It involves a clear and accurate rendering of content from one
language into another, maintaining the essence of the original message (Iordan,
2021). With the advancement of technology, machine translation has
significantly improved, making tasks such as translating text through mobile
applications more accessible (Hanna, 2025). However, it is important to distinguish
between translation and interpretation, as interpreters work with spoken
language, whereas translators focus on written texts (Fraser, 2025).
Translation is a process of transferring meaning from one language (source
language) to another language known as the target language (Phrase, 2023;
Catford, 1995; Newmark, 1988). Nida and Taber (1974) stated that translation
can be defined as reproducing words, phrases, or sentences in the TL to convey
the message of the SL. In doing translation, we convert the meaning
of a written message (text) from one language to another. Translation involves
transforming ideas and concepts across linguistic and cultural boundaries,
requiring a deep understanding of both source and target languages (University
of Texas at Dallas, n.d.). The translator should not only focus on the proper
grammatical structure, but the main focus when translating text is the
understanding of the readers who will see the text, so that they can understand
exactly the message as in the SL. Nida and Taber (1974) also mentioned that
translation should be as natural as possible therefore, the best translation
shouldn’t sound like a translation. Larson (1984), in the book titled
Meaning-Based Translation, provided a diagram regarding the process of translation.
There are three steps in the translation process. Firstly, the translator
should discover the meaning of the SL text. In other words, the translator
analyzes it to gain an understanding from the perspective of semantics.
Secondly, the translator transfers the meaning from SL to TL by choosing proper
words so that the message is well conveyed. After that, the translation is
reconstructed to the appropriate lexicon and grammar in the TL and its culture.
Finally, the translation is done with a good result (Larson, 1984).
The role of translation in global
communication is pivotal in fostering cross-cultural understanding by bridging
linguistic and cultural divides. Isroilova (2024) highlights how translation
enables access to diverse perspectives, promoting empathy and mutual respect
among communities. Similarly, Fois (2020) examines how translation in English
Language Teaching (ELT) supports the development of intercultural competence,
enhancing communicative skills and cultural awareness among language learners.
Adil (2020) explores translation's role in communicative language teaching,
noting its effectiveness in developing students' communicative abilities when
tailored to proficiency levels. The advent of digital platforms has further
transformed translation, as Achilov and Sodiqova (2024) argue, by facilitating
multilingual communication and cross-cultural exchange, although challenges
such as machine translation and social media have emerged. Hanna (2024)
reflects on the growing influence of AI in translation, questioning the balance
between technological and human contributions to cultural and linguistic
diversity.
To maintain the translation result
sounds natural, a translator has to understand well both language structures,
the source language text structure, and the target text structure. The change in the structure is mostly well-known as a
shifting in translation (Ondok & Tambunsaribu, 2020). To retain the
same meaning between the source text and the target text, a translator also has
to comprehend the kind of text or the field of study of the text. For example,
a science study text is very different from a social studies text. In
translating different kinds of text, a translator uses different techniques in
the translation process. Gunawan (2023) stated that in translating a Psychology
textbook, he encountered several difficulties in finding the equivalent words
in Bahasa Indonesia as his first language. Since it is hard for some people to understand other languages, they
need the translation of any text they are reading to fulfill their understand
of the foreign language text. Some text sometimes contains idioms and
figurative language, such as personification and metaphors, which are hard to
understand if someone translates them literally (Tambunsaribu & Sitanggang,
2023). For instance, idioms cannot be translated literally because they have
their whole meaning, not based on word-for-word translation. If we translate an
idiom word-for-word, the target text will have an ambiguous meaning, or the
meaning of the source text will be distorted in the target text (Galingging
& Tambunsaribu, 2021). According to Newmark (1981), semantic
translation is employed as a way to translate a text in its connotations to be
more complex and detailed. From the point of view of linguistics and
translation, semantic translation tends to transfer the meaning to convey an
informative message.
The different structure between the
source language text (SLT) and the target language text (TLT) requires a
translator to try as best he can to retain the best translation results. Thus,
all the best efforts must be made by a translator to make sure that the target
text does not sound unnatural because they tend to translate literally (without
changing the structure of the target text), which leads to a misunderstanding
of the text readers. According to Munday et al. (2022), a translation shift is
a linguistic change occurring in the translation of the source text to the
target text. Catford (1965) introduced a translation shift, and he divided
translation shift into two categories, namely level shift and category shift. A
word or phrase may have more than one meaning. The actual meaning is called the
denotative meaning, and the secondary meaning is called the connotative
meaning. His study aims to help readers understand how semantic
translation works in differentiating the
translation of connotative meaning and the translation of denotative meaning. According to Leech (1981), there are
seven types of meanings. They are denotative meaning, connotative meaning,
stylistic meaning, affective meaning, reflected meaning, and in the background,
the authors need to argue collocative meaning and thematic meaning. Because of
limitations, the researchers only analyze two meanings, which are denotative
and connotative. Denotative meaning, which can be called conceptual meaning, is
the exact meaning that is what people know in general because it refers to the
first meaning. Connotative meaning is the meaning that impacts the readers
because connotative meaning has an implied meaning that can be interpreted
differently by every individual. Newmark (1981) stated that the semantic
translation approach tends to make the meaning of a text more specific. It
helps the reader to understand the primary meaning rather than other kinds of
meanings. As the research attempts to find a denotative meaning from the
English version of Raumanen, which contains a connotative meaning, the
researchers employed the semantic translation theory to find out the denotative
meaning. In this research, the researchers want to present the translation
result from connotative into denotative words and phrases. The researchers want
the readers to see whether the translation result (the target text) still
contains the same meaning as the source text.
There are many benefits in analyzing
the translation of literary works such as novels and poems. The translators will have the importance of a holistic
approach in analyzing novel translations, considering factors such as genetic,
objective, and affective aspects. By examining the equivalence of
meaning and style, translators can enhance their understanding of translation
quality and its impact on readers (Masduki, 2020). The readers will find some
challenges faced by translators when rendering novels, particularly issues
related to figurative language and idiomatic expressions (Hartono, 2017). The
readers will know the role of translation in bridging cultural gaps and
promoting mutual understanding, emphasizing its importance in global discourse
(Wang, 2020). The readers will know that both extratextual and intertextual
factors aid translators in comprehending the source text's nuances. The readers
will understand why it is crucial for producing accurate and culturally
appropriate translations, thereby enhancing the reader's experience (Seresová
& Breveníková, 2019). The translators will have some techniques that can
enhance the translation's accuracy and readability, providing insights into
effective translation practices (Poyungi et al., 2021).
There are some reasons why this novel
is a well-known and one of the best novels to read for readers. First, Raumanen
is recognized as one of the finest literary works of 1975 by an Indonesian
female author. The novel tells the story of a woman who becomes a victim of
patriarchy, cultural expectations, and rigid social norms. Set in the early
years of Indonesia’s independence, it follows Raumanen, a law student
and activist, who becomes emotionally involved with Monang—a man deeply bound
by traditional values. Seraphino commends the novel for its timeless relevance
and its strong resonance with modern readers (Seraphino, 2023). Second, Raumanen
is not merely a romance novel but a literary work that addresses issues of
ethnicity, religion, and identity. The novel delves into the complexities of
love and societal expectations, providing a nuanced portrayal of the challenges
faced by the characters (Fachrina, 2020). Ardita (2008) stated that Raumanen
is a narrative novel that tells the readers about a brave and beautiful
Minahasa woman who succumbs to Hamonangan (Monang), a Batak man known for his
charm and eloquence. Third, this novel contained the issues of race and
ethnicity that were prevalent in the 1970s and continue to persist in
Indonesia. The novel addresses themes of free association and the consequences
of cultural and familial expectations, which remain relevant today (Hapsari,
2011). Fourth, the Raumanen portrayed the archetypal Sumatra man from
the 1960s. It provided a fresh perspective on norms, customs, and male
cowardice. The novel depicted the relationships mirror those of the previous
generation, offering a glimpse into the societal dynamics of that era in
Indonesia (Akbar, 2022).
In conclusion, Raumanen stands
out as one of the most compelling and enduring novels in Indonesian literature
due to its rich exploration of social, cultural, and gender issues. Through its
portrayal of a strong female protagonist and her struggles within a patriarchal
society, the novel captures the complexities of love, identity, and tradition.
Its themes of ethnicity, religion, and societal expectations remain deeply
relevant to contemporary readers, offering both historical insight and
emotional depth. The novel’s multifaceted narrative and bold social commentary
continue to resonate across generations, making Raumanen a powerful and
essential read.
As the researchers mentioned in the
background of the study, the research problems are a) what are the English
connotative words and phrases found in Raumanen? and b) what is the
effect on the translation result if the connotative words and phrases of the
source language text (English) are translated using denotative words and
phrases in the target text (Indonesian)? Due to the problems mentioned above,
this research has two main purposes, namely a) to find out the English
connotative words and phrases that the translator of Raumanen novel
chose to use in his translation; and b) to find out whether the translation result (the
target text) still contains the same meaning as the source text after the researchers translated the connotative
into denotative words and phrases in the target text. This research
is intended to enrich the readers’ knowledge about denotative and connotative
words and phrases used in the translation of a novel entitled Raumanen.
For the students majoring in the translation field, this research is beneficial
in enriching their knowledge on how to translate literary work using
connotative words or phrases to attract the readers’ interest. This research
also gives deeper knowledge for translators to have better choices whether to
choose connotative meaning or denotative meaning while they are translating any
kind of literary work. The
researchers analyzed the words and phrases containing connotative meaning in
the Raumanen English version and transferred the connotative meaning
into denotative meaning in Indonesian as the target text. Raumanen was
written by Marianne Kantoppo, an Indonesian novelist. The novel talks about a
Manadonese girl and a Bataknese guy who fall in love with each other, but the
guy’s parents do not support their relationship. This novel is translated from
Indonesian into English by Isla Winarto. She is an Australian who graduated
from the University of Sydney, majoring in Indonesian language and literature.
Back translation is a crucial quality
assurance method in translation, offering numerous benefits that enhance the
accuracy and effectiveness of the translation process. It helps ensure the
translated text reflects the original meaning by identifying discrepancies,
which is especially important in legal and medical translations (Salourou,
2024). The process adds an extra layer of quality control by detecting errors
and improving overall translation quality (Adams, 2020). Additionally, it
validates the cultural appropriateness of the translation and ensures that
cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions are preserved (Salourou, 2024). Back
translation also uncovers ambiguities, involves monolingual stakeholders in the
validation process, and generates documentation for legal and regulatory
compliance (BURG Translations, 2025; Salourou, 2024). Furthermore, it supports
the evaluation of creative translations, enhances collaboration among
translators, mitigates risks in sensitive content, and facilitates regulatory
approval, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals (Adams, 2020;
POEditor, 2020).
2. Method
The present study employed a descriptive qualitative method, as outlined
by Creswell (1994), which emphasizes the analysis of textual data to explore
meaning without relying on numerical representation. The source of the data was
the bilingual versions (Indonesian and English) of the novel Raumanen,
with the Indonesian version serving as the source text (SL) and the English
translation by Isla Winarto as the target text (TL1). Additionally, a
back-translation conducted by the researchers (TL2) was used for comparison. To
collect the data, the researchers systematically selected 34 Indonesian words
and phrases from the original novel that contained connotative meanings. These
were then compared to their English translations in TL1 and further translated
into denotative meanings by the researchers themselves in TL2. The data
analysis involved a comparative semantic analysis between the SL, TL1, and TL2,
focusing on how connotative expressions were rendered in the English version
and how the literal, denotative back-translations influenced meaning. Through
this process, the study revealed that while the original translator maintained
connotative richness, the researchers’ denotative back-translations often led
to awkward or ambiguous meanings, highlighting the importance of semantic
equivalence and cultural nuance in literary translation. The researchers
focused on identifying and interpreting connotative and denotative meanings of
words and phrases found in the English translation of the Indonesian novel Raumanen.
Data were collected from the original novel and analyzed through three main
steps: selecting Indonesian words and phrases with connotative meanings,
comparing them with their English equivalents, and translating them into their
denotative meanings for comparison. This study specifically examines only two
types of meanings—connotative and denotative—excluding other semantic
categories such as stylistic, affective, reflected, collocative, and thematic
meanings (Leech, 1981). Unlike previous studies by Hartina (2017) and Novitasari (2018), which
also analyzed connotative and denotative meanings but did not incorporate
back-translation, this research includes a back-translation component to
highlight shifts in meaning and naturalness between translations. The
denotative translations were carried out by the researchers themselves to
better analyze the semantic differences and translation effects.
3.
Results and Discussion
There are 34
Indonesian words and phrases containing connotations found in the original
novel (Bahasa Indonesia). No translation words or phrases use denotative
meaning in the translation version (English). In the Raumanen English
version translated by Isla Winarto, the 34 words and phrases containing connotative were translated into
connotative meaning. Below, the researchers will explain the 15 points containing connotations in
the English version (translated by Isla Winarto), and it also shows the
denotative meaning in the back translation (translated by the researchers).
Table 1. Data containing connotative
meaning and its back-translation into denotative meaning
|
No. |
SL (Indonesian) |
TL (English) Translated by Isla Winarto |
TL (English) Translated by the
Researchers |
|
1 |
Tugas apa yang akan diberikannya
kepada pemuda yang berdiri di mukanya? (Chapter 32/ Paragraph 2/ Line 8) |
What task would she set for the
young student standing in front of her? (Chapter 24/ Paragraph 6/ Line 21) |
What task would she set for the
young student standing on her face? |
|
2 |
Dan ia agak kesal karena gadis
yang berkulit langsep itu begitu mahal dengan tanda tangannya. (Chapter 33/ Paragraph 1/ Line 2) |
And he was annoyed as it had
been very difficult to obtain the signature of this fair-skinned young
woman. (Chapter 25/ Paragraph 4/ Line 16) |
And he was annoyed as this
fair-skinned young woman and her expensive signature. |
|
3 |
Orang Tuamu begitu luas
pandangannya, begitu lapang hatinya. (Chapter 39/ Paragraph 1/ Line 8) |
Your parents are so broad-minded
and so open-hearted. (Chapter 30/ Paragraph 3/ Line 11) |
Your parents are so broad-sighted
and so open-hearted. |
|
4 |
Aku merasa mendapat durian
runtuh. (Chapter 40 / Paragraph 2/ Line 9) |
I thought I’d struck the
jackpot. (Chapter 31/ Paragraph 2/ Line 4) |
I thought I’d get a fallen
durian. |
|
5 |
Dan dalam hati kecilnya
hingga kini selalu dibanggakannya bahwa ia, Raumanen Rumokoi, luput menjadi
mangsa dari keliaran Monang itu. (Chapter 42/ Paragraph 1/ Line 2) |
And deep within her, she
had felt a sense of pride that she, Raumanen Rumokoi, had managed to
avoid becoming a prey of Monang’s wild ways. (Chapter 32/ Paragraph 3/ Line 15) |
And inside her tiny heart,
she had felt a sense of pride that she, Raumanen Rumokoi, had managed
to avoid becoming prey of Monang’s wild ways. |
|
6 |
Direbahkannya rajanya. (Chapter
43/ Paragraph 1/ Line 2) |
He knocked his king down.
(Chapter 33/ Paragraph 4/ Line 13) |
He laid his king down. |
|
7 |
Zaman sekarang seorang wanita
sebaiknya dapat berdiri sendiri. (Chapter 43/ Paragraph 2/ Line 7) |
These days women should be independent.
(Chapter 33/ Paragraph 5/ Line 18) |
These days, women should stand
alone. |
|
8 |
Kalau tidak tunduk pada
hukum adat, mereka takkan dianggap. (Chapter 44/ Paragraph 3/ Line 13) |
If they did not adhere to
customary law, they would be considered outcasts. (Chapter 34/ Paragraph 7/ Line 28) |
If they did not bend down
to customary law, they would be considered outcasts. |
|
9 |
Namun, Manen, yang memang selalu senang
menghadiri pesta-pesta itu, tak pernah berdansa. (Chapter 52/ Paragraph 1/ Line 3) |
But Manen, who’d always liked
going to those parties, never danced. (Chapter 40/ Paragraph 1/ Line 3) |
But Manen, who was always happy
going to those parties, never danced. |
|
10 |
Akan tetapi, kadang-kadang Manen
terpaksa menelan perkataannya yang begitu gegabah. (Chapter 53/ Paragraph 8/ Line 26) |
Occasionally, however, Manen had
to eat her rash words. (Chapter 41/ Paragraph 4/ Line 11) |
Occasionally, however, Manen had
to swallow her rash words. |
|
11 |
Keke, pacarmu itu sudah sinting!
(Chapter 54/ Paragraph 2/ Line 7) |
Keke, your boyfriend's mad!
(Chapter 41/ Paragraph 5/ Line 17) |
Keke, your boyfriend’s crazy! |
|
12 |
Sedangkan si tolol yang baru
pulang dari Rusia rupanya lupa daratan ketika dibawanya Ewa ke Pantai
Merak pada bulan purnama. (Chapter 59/ Paragraph 5/ Line 17) |
That stupid guy who’d just
returned from Rusia lost his sense when he took Ewa to Merak beach
during the full moon. (Chapter 45/ Paragraph 6/ Line 24) |
That stupid guy who’d just
returned from Rusia forgot the land when he took Ewa to Merak beach
during the full moon |
|
13 |
Sebetulnya Manen menjadi mangsa
yang begitu empuk bagi Monang. (Chapter 60/ Paragraph 1/ Line 1) |
Manen was actually easy
prey for Monang. (Chapter 46/ Paragraph 1/ Line 1) |
Manen was soft prey for
Monang. |
|
14 |
Tempo apa tanggal mainnya? (Chapter 63/ Paragraph 4/ Line 22) |
So when’s the big day? (Chapter 48/ Paragraph 6/ Line 25) |
So, when’s the date to play? |
|
15 |
Adik-adik Monang, Miri dan Ria,
mengawasi semua itu dengan mata besar, heran. (Chapter 64/ Paragraph 2/ Line 4) |
Monang’s sisters, Miri and Ria,
watch this scene, bright-eyed with amazement. (Chapter 48/ Paragraph 8/ Line 28) |
Monang’s sisters, Miri and Ria,
watch this scene, big-eyed with amazement. |
The data presented in this study
highlights the nuanced use of connotative language in Raumanen and the
complexities involved in translating such expressions. The analysis reveals
that the English version translated by Isla Winarto maintains the connotative
meanings from the original Indonesian text, demonstrating a deliberate effort
to preserve the novel’s emotive and cultural depth. However, the
back-translations into denotative meanings conducted by the researchers show
how the literal interpretation of these expressions can lead to awkward,
ambiguous, or less impactful renderings. This comparison underscores the
importance of understanding cultural context and figurative language in
literary translation, reinforcing the idea that a faithful translation goes
beyond linguistic accuracy to convey tone, emotion, and intent. Ultimately, the
findings illustrate that analyzing the translation of connotative expressions
is essential in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of literary
translations.
Here is the analysis of the fifteen
data points above.
SL: “Tugas apa yang akan diberikannya kepada pemuda yang berdiri di mukanya?”
TL1 (Connotation): “What task would she set for the young student
standing in front of her?”
TL2 (Denotation): “What task would she set for the young student
standing on her face?”
The phrase ‘di mukanya’ contains a connotative meaning, which is ‘in front of.’ It’s because the
speaker talked about someone who was standing in front of her and would get a
task. For that reason, the English translation of ‘di mukanya’ is
‘in front of her.’ The phrase ‘di mukanya’ has a denotative meaning,
which is ‘on someone’s face’ in English. The preposition on shows that
something is on top of another thing. In this case, the young student was
standing ‘on her face’. She didn’t give the task on her face, therefore, the
translator didn’t choose the phrase ‘on her face’ as the translation of ‘di
mukanya.’ The target text in TL2 does not sound natural in
English, and the meaning is ambiguous.
Data 2
SL: “Dan ia agak kesal karena
gadis yang berkulit langsep itu begitu mahal dengan tanda tangannya.”
TL1 (Connotation): “And he was
annoyed as it had been very difficult to obtain the signature of this
fair-skinned young woman.”
TL2 (Denotation): “And he was
annoyed as this fair-skinned young woman and her expensive signature.”
Looking at the connotative meaning, she believed that getting her
signature needed more effort. The translator translated the Indonesian phrase “begitu
mahal dengan tanda tangannya” into the English sentence as the translation
‘It had been very difficult to obtain the signature.’ The meaning is still the
same, even though the translator did not use the same words. In denotative
meaning, this phrase contains the meaning of charging a high price to get her
signature. The girl who believed her signature was expensive would not give her
signature unless she was paid a high price. It is how denotative meaning works,
the words look the same in real situations, thus the translator didn’t
translate it into a phrase that contains denotative meaning. The target text in TL2 does not sound
natural in English, and the meaning is ambiguous.
Data 3
SL: “Orang Tuamu begitu luas pandangannya, begitu lapang
hatinya.”
TL1 (Connotation): “Your parents are so broad-minded and so open-hearted.”
TL2 (Denotation): “Your parents are so broad-sighted and so open-hearted.”
The researchers found a phrase containing a connotative meaning in this
data. The phrase “luas pandangnya” is an Indonesian phrase that means
the parents have a mind to accept the opinions, beliefs, and behavior of other
people. In English, it would be ‘broad-minded’ in terms of connotative meaning.
In terms of denotative meaning, the Indonesian phrase “luas pandangannya”
if translated to English, would be ‘broad-sighted’. The word “pandangan”
means sight in English. The suffix “nya” in the phrase “pandangannya”
refers to a possessive pronoun of the parents. The translator seemed to
agree with the translation of “pandangan” as minded instead of sighted. The word “broad-sighted” in TL2 does not sound natural in English, and the
meaning is ambiguous.
Data 4
SL: “Aku merasa mendapat durian runtuh.”
TL1 (Connotation): “I thought I’d struck the jackpot.”
TL2 (Denotation): “I thought I’d get a fallen durian.”
The phrase “durian
runtuh” contains a connotative meaning which means to get an unexpected
luck. While in English it would be ‘to strike the jackpot’. As a connotative
meaning needs adjustment between the words and their meanings, the translator
chose the phrase ‘to strike the jackpot’ for its meaning is close to the
Indonesian phrase “durian runtuh”. On the other hand, the phrase also
contains a denotative meaning which in English would be ‘a fallen durian’. It
is because the word “runtuh” means to fall in English, and “durian”
is also an English word. Overall, the English translation of ‘durian runtuh’
in terms of the denotative meaning is ‘a fallen durian’. The translator
believed that the SL wasn’t about the real durian, so she didn’t choose the
phrase ‘a fallen durian.’ The translation result in the TL2 does not sound natural
in English, and the meaning is distorted.
Data 5
SL: “Dan dalam hati kecilnya
hingga kini selalu dibanggakannya bahwa ia, Raumanen Rumokoi, luput menjadi
mangsa dari keliaran Monang itu.”
TL1 (Connotation): “And deep
within her, she had felt a sense of pride that she, Raumanen
Rumokoi, had managed to avoid becoming a prey of Monang’s wild ways.”
TL2 (Denotation): “And inside her
tiny heart, she had felt a sense of pride that she, Raumanen
Rumokoi, had managed to avoid becoming a prey of Monang’s wild ways.”
The phrase “dalam hati kecilnya” contains a connotative meaning,
and it can be defined as what she feels. The connotative meaning of the
English translation of “dalam hati kecilnya” is ‘deep within her.’
It’s because she considers something which only she can understand; therefore,
the translator chose ‘deep within her’ when translating “dalam hati kecilnya”.
While in denotative meaning, ‘dalam hati kecilnya’ in English would be
‘inside her tiny heart.’ The word inside is used as the preposition of where her
tiny heart is. ‘Heart’ as a noun refers to her internal organ, and the
word “tiny” represents the size of her heart. The translator did not choose
that phrase in terms of denotative meaning because it was not about the real
heart. The phrase “tiny heart” in English (in TL2) is not
natural, and the meaning is ambiguous.
Data 6
SL: “Direbahkannya rajanya.”
TL1 (Connotation): “He knocked his king down.”
TL2 (Denotation): “He laid his king down.”
The word “direbahkan” comes from the root “rebah” which in
English, in terms of connotative meaning, is ‘to knock down.’ In the context of
the story, it was about beating someone when playing chess. For that reason,
the translator translated the word “direbahkan” into the phrasal verb
‘knocked down’ due to getting beaten in chess. In terms of denotative meaning,
“direbahkan” would be to do an action of laying the king down. The
English word for “rebah” is to lay down and when it is changed to simple past, it would be ‘laid
down’. It is the primary meaning, the exact meaning of what people would see in
a real situation, but the translator didn’t translate the phrase like that
because it would sound unnatural. The phrasal verb “lay down” for a
human being is unnatural in English. The translation result has an ambiguous
meaning for native English speakers.
Data 7
SL: “Zaman sekarang seorang wanita sebaiknya dapat berdiri sendiri.”
TL1 (Connotation): “These days women should be independent.”
TL2 (Denotation): “These days women should stand alone.”
The Indonesian phrase “berdiri sendiri” contains a
connotative meaning which means being free to do things without help from
others. From the definition, the English translation would be ‘independent.’ In
the conversation of the story women are hoped not to depend on other people but
be independent. The phrase “berdiri sendiri”, however, has a denotative
meaning which in English is ‘to stand alone’. As the researchers break down the
phrase into words, it would be two words. The word ‘berdiri’ is
translated into English as “stand” and ‘sendiri’
as “alone.” The translator
assumed in the story that there is not one standing alone; therefore, she
didn’t translate the phrase into “berdiri sendiri”.
Data 8
SL: “Kalau tidak tunduk pada hukum adat, mereka takkan
dianggap.”
TL1 (Connotation): “If they did not adhere to customary law, they
would be considered outcasts.”
TL2 (Denotation): “If they did not bend down to customary law,
they would be considered outcasts.”
The Indonesian word “tunduk” in terms of connotative meaning
would be ‘adhere’ when translated into English. In the story, the conversation
was about obeying customary law; however, the author used the word “tunduk”
which also has a denotative meaning. Therefore, the translator chose the word
‘adhere’ to translate the Indonesian word “tunduk”. The denotative
meaning of “tunduk” would be ‘bend down’ in English. It is a phrasal
verb that refers to the position of someone bending their legs while the head
gets to a lower position (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: 2015). The target text in TL2 does not sound
natural in English, and the meaning is ambiguous. The phrase “bend down” is not
for the physical stuff, according to the target text, but the phrase is for the
action to obey the rules.
Data 9
SL: “Namun, Manen, yang memang selalu senang menghadiri
pesta-pesta itu, tak pernah berdansa.”
TL1 (Connotation): “But Manen, who’d always liked going to those
parties, never danced.”
TL2 (Denotation): “But Manen, who was always happy going to those
parties, never danced.”
The word “senang” contains a connotative meaning which in English
would be ‘liked’ in past participle form. In the story, Monang said that Manen
liked going to parties using the word “senang.” For that reason, the
translator interpreted the Indonesian word “senang” as the English word
‘liked.’ The denotative meaning of “senang” is the feeling or emotion of
joy (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: 2015). When translated to English,
the word “senang” would become ‘happy.’ It refers to the logical content
in which “senang” is always translated to ‘happy.’ The translator
assumed they were not happy about it, but they were into it. In this case, TL1 and TL2 have the
same meaning. The difference is only for word class.
Data 10
SL: “Akan tetapi, kadang-kadang Manen terpaksa menelan
perkataannya yang begitu gegabah.”
TL1 (Connotation): “Occasionally, however, Manen had to eat her rash
words.”
TL2 (Denotation): “Occasionally, however, Manen had to swallow her
rash words.”
The Indonesian verb phrase “menelan perkataannya” in this context
of the story is that Manen admitted what she said was wrong and inappropriate.
Therefore, it contains a connotative meaning, which in English would be ‘eat
her rash words.’ The word eat doesn’t mean its literal meaning, which is
consuming food but it means the action of admission of the rash words. In this case, the words “eat” and
“swallow” in English have the same meaning. Thus, the translation result of
both TL1 and TL2 retain the meaning of the source text.
Data 11
SL : “Keke, pacarmu itu
sudah sinting!”
TL1 (Connotation): “Keke, your boyfriend's mad!”
TL2 (Denotation): “Keke, your boyfriend’s crazy!”
The English word ‘mad’ contains a connotative meaning which is someone
who loses logical thinking but is still the same. In terms of denotative
meaning the Indonesian word “sinting” would be translated ‘crazy’ in
English. This word is used to describe someone who is mentally ill and needs
psychiatric treatment. In addition, the word mad also has a denotative meaning
which in other words is angry. However, the translator saw no one who was
mentally ill in the story. In this case, the English words “mad” and “crazy” have
the same meaning. Both the TL1 and TL2 have the same meaning and the same word
class.
Data 12
SL: “Sedangkan si tolol yang baru
pulang dari Rusia rupanya lupa daratan ketika dibawanya Ewa ke Pantai
Merak pada bulan purnama.”
TL1 (Connotation): “That stupid guy
who’d just returned from Rusia lost his sense when he took Ewa to Merak
beach during the full moon.”
TL2 (Denotation): “That stupid guy
who’d just returned from Rusia forgot the land when he took Ewa to Merak
beach during the full moon.”
The Indonesian verb phrase “lupa daratan” contains a negative
connotation. It means to do something without any sense therefore the
translator translated it to English ‘lost his sense’. It’s because in the story
the guy took Ewa to Merak beach after that an accident happened, and Ewa was
forced to get married. The denotative meaning of “lupa daratan” is the
act of not remembering the surface earth other than sea. The translator might
believe the denotative meaning translation would sound unnatural, so she didn’t
translate it into the denotative meaning phrase.
Data 13
SL: “Sebetulnya Manen menjadi mangsa yang begitu empuk bagi
Monang.”
TL1 (Connotation): “Manen was actually easy prey for Monang.”
TL2 (Denotation): “Manen was actually soft prey for Monang.”
The word “empuk” contains a connotative meaning which describes
achieving without a lot of effort needed. For that reason, the translator
translated the Indonesian word “empuk” to the English word ‘easy’. In
the story, it is the fact that Manen is really easy to fall for Monang. While
the denotative meaning of the word “empuk” is a thing that can easily
change shape when being pressed. The target text in TL2 does not sound
natural in English and the meaning is ambiguous. The adjective “soft” does not
collocate with the noun “prey” in English. Thus, the translation result of TL2
has ambiguous meaning.
Data 14
SL: “Tempo apa tanggal mainnya?”
TL1 (Connotation): “So when’s the big day?”
TL2 (Denotation): “So when’s the date to play?”
The Indonesian phrase “tanggal mainnya” contains a connotative
meaning which is to describe a big thing happening on a day without plans
beforehand. In the conversation of the story, they were talking about a big day
that would happen in the future but they didn’t know the day exactly. For that
reason, the translator translated the Indonesian phrase “tanggal mainnya”
to the English phrase ‘the big day’. In terms of denotative meaning, the phrase
is used to ask friends or relatives to go to play together. On the other hand,
the question can also start with “kapan” or “when” in English. Therefore, the
English translation for the Indonesian phrase “tanggal mainnya” is ‘the
date to play’. However, the translator didn’t find any situations where
they were making plans to play. Since the TL2 is a literal
translation, the meaning of the source text is distorted in the target text.
Data 15
SL: “Adik-adik Monang, Miri dan Ria, mengawasi semua itu dengan mata
besar, heran.”
TL1 (Connotation): “Monang’s sisters, Miri dan Ria, watch this scene, bright-eyed
with amazement.”
TL2 (Denotation): “Monang’s sisters, Miri dan Ria, watch this scene, big-eyed
with amazement.”
The connotative meaning of noun phrase “mata besar” was Miri and
Ria enthusiastically watched everything. ‘Bright-eyed’ is the proper English
translation in this context because that means to notice the situation around
with the eyes. Because of that, the translator translated “mata besar”
into bright-eyed. The denotative meaning in “mata besar” was the size of
the eyes. It refers to the change of eyes from normal size to big size or in
Indonesian it is also called “melotot”. For that reason, the English
translation of “mata besar” in terms of denotative meaning is “big-eyed”.
The translator might assume it was the look of the eye, not how big the eye
was. The “bright-eyed” has a different meaning from
“big-eyed” in English. The translation result of the TL2 is ambiguous and the
diction is incorrect.
Discussion
Based on the analysis, the researchers found that the source language
words and phrases containing connotative meaning were translated into the TL by
using connotative meaning. For instance, the Indonesian phrase “mata besar” is translated into
‘bright-eyed’ (connotative), not ‘big-eyed’ (denotative). As the purpose of
this study is to see whether the back-translation using denotative meaning is
natural or unnatural, it reveals that the result of the back-translation is out
of context in the target text. The bac-translation result distorts the meaning
of the source text in the target text. This research shows that the
translation of the source text containing connotative meaning must be
translated into target text semantically (Leech, 1981) which is denotative
translation to retain the meaning of the SL in TL. This research is limited
only to a back-translation of sentences containing connotative meaning into
denotative meaning. The researchers suggest that other researchers can do a
further back-translation in the different kinds of sentences to compare whether
the back translation for other kinds of sentences retains the meaning in the
target text or not.
The current study’s findings strongly align with those of Hartina (2017)
and Novitasari (2018) in several key areas. Like Hartina, who demonstrated that
connotative meanings in the Doang-Doang of Makassar reflected cultural
and emotional expressions, this study found that the connotative phrases in Raumanen
carried rich emotional and cultural weight. For instance, expressions like “mata
besar” (translated as “bright-eyed”) did not merely describe
physical characteristics but conveyed curiosity or amazement, a sentiment
deeply embedded in cultural context. Similarly, the findings resonate with
Novitasari's (2018) conclusion that religious texts translated from Arabic to
English contained denotative meanings that were preserved, but connotative
meanings often depended heavily on the translator’s interpretation and the
linguistic norms of the target language. This study demonstrates a parallel
process in literary translation: connotative expressions were maintained in the
English translation by Isla Winarto, while the back-translation into denotative
meaning often led to awkward or ambiguous renderings. This reinforces
Novitasari’s emphasis on the need for sensitivity to linguistic and cultural
nuance in translation. Therefore, both previous studies support the current
research findings by illustrating the critical role of connotative meaning in
preserving not just language but also emotion, cultural identity, and literary
style.
4. Conclusion
This research highlights the use of
connotative meanings in the English translation of the Indonesian novel Raumanen
by Isla Winarto. Several examples are provided where the translator chose
connotative translations over literal (denotative) ones, ensuring the
preservation of cultural context and the natural flow of language. For
instance: Data 1, "di mukanya" was translated as "in
front of her" rather than the awkward "on her face." Data 2, the
phrase "begitu mahal dengan tanda tangannya" was translated connotatively
as "it had been very difficult to obtain the signature," rather than
the literal "expensive signature." Data 3 showed how "luas
pandangannya" was rendered as "broad-minded" instead of the
denotative "broad-sighted." Other examples continued to demonstrate
how literal translations would be unnatural or ambiguous, while connotative
translations preserved meaning and cultural nuances. These choices reflect the
translator’s aim to adapt the source material into the target language while
keeping the meaning clear and culturally relevant. By opting for connotative
translations, the translator maintained the essence of the original text and
avoided awkward or misleading interpretations that might arise from literal
translations.
The findings of the research are
strongly aligned with key translation theories, particularly those related to
the distinction between denotative and connotative meanings and the importance
of adapting translations to fit cultural and linguistic contexts.
1. Translation as Meaning Transfer: The
study emphasizes that translation is not just about converting words but also
about transferring meaning, which is central to translation theory (Kruželák
Ciferník, 2021; Ghosal, 2023). In the Raumanen translation, the decision
to use connotative meanings over denotative ones helps preserve the intended
nuances and cultural context of the original text, a process that requires a
deep understanding of both the source and target languages (University of Texas
at Dallas, n.d.).
2. Semantic Translation: According to
Newmark (1981), semantic translation focuses on conveying the message more
accurately, especially when dealing with idiomatic or figurative language. The
researcher’s findings demonstrate this principle by showing how connotative
translations, such as "struck the jackpot" for "durian runtuh"
or "broad-minded" for "luas pandangannya," help
maintain the essence of the message, rather than adhering strictly to the
literal meaning.
3. Cultural and Contextual Adaptation:
Translation theory also stresses the importance of cultural adaptation. Literal
translations can often sound unnatural or be misinterpreted in the target
language (Tambunsaribu & Sitanggang, 2023). The study’s findings underscore
this by highlighting how connotative translations, like "deep within
her" for "dalam hati kecilnya," better reflect the intended
emotional or cultural meaning than the denotative alternatives.
4. Back Translation and Quality
Control: The theory also mentions the use of back translation as a tool to
ensure translation accuracy and cultural appropriateness (Salourou, 2024). This
aligns with the research’s emphasis on how back translations, when compared to
the original, reveal the significance of choosing connotative translations to
avoid distortion of meaning (Adams, 2020).
The significance of these findings
lies in the importance of understanding the delicate balance between denotative
and connotative meanings in translation. Literal translations often fail to
capture the subtleties and cultural connotations of the original text, leading
to a loss of the intended impact. By focusing on connotative meanings, the
translator ensures that the essence of the original message is preserved,
making the translation more fluid, culturally accurate, and engaging for the
target audience. The implications of this study suggest that translators must
not only have a strong grasp of linguistic structures but also be sensitive to
the cultural context of both the source and target languages. This research
reinforces the idea that translation is a complex, interpretative process that
requires informed choices to maintain the integrity and emotional depth of the
original text. Moreover, it highlights the importance of back translation as a
tool for improving translation quality and ensuring cultural relevance. In
conclusion, the study underscores the value of semantic translation and
cultural adaptation in literary works, providing insight into the nuanced
decision-making that translators must engage in to produce a high-quality
translation that resonates with the target audience.
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