Name: Dimas Farayndra

NIM :211410004
Subject: Literary Translation
Lecturer: Dono Sunardi

Analysis of Problem in Translating Prose and Drama

In translating proses the translator should read the work at least once to know the
whole components of the work. It is because the tone and style in the translation
should be the same with the original work. However, the translator is not always
can do that, especially in conveying the same tone and style with the original
work. The problem is usually related to the culture of either source language
culture or target language culture.
Prose translation usually have something to do with translating novel, short
stories, folktale, horror etc. It is become easier if the target language has the same
ethnicity group with the target language. However, it will be quite burdensome for
the translator if the culture was not from the same ethnicity groups. The problem
is usually finding the terms in the target language that has 99.99% of meaning
similarities with the original work. There is also a difficulty in translating an
ambiguous joke from an original source language work.
Translation of prose needs rendition from source language to target language.
It is not just simply text translation. The translator should have skill to render the
feeling conveyed in the original work., cultural aspects, humor, and any other
elements in the original prose texts. The translator literally translating the message
of the text, not merely translating the content of the work.
In any translation language has very important role, prose translation is not an
exception. Language in translation has role as communicative attribute to connect
an author with their readers. The choice of word in translation is the main point of

the translation itself. Therefore, the successful of a prose translation also depends
on the ability of the translator to choose good diction to translate the work itself.
In the beginning of the translation, the translator keeps both the SL and TL in
mind and translate the work meticulously. However, it still difficult for the
translator to solve the problem related to translating a work to target language in a
very accurate translation. In another word, it is acceptable if the language in a
translation work changed adapted to space and time.
Translating a prose should be idiom by idiom or meaning by meaning. In
one hand this rule is applicable because if we translate word by word or sentence
by sentence the result of the translation work will be unnatural. People will not
feel enjoyment in reading the translation. In another hand, this rule cannot be
applied in certain country, it is because each country has their own linguistics and
grammatical pattern.
In translating prose, usually the form of the original work is changed. However,
as long as it can change back to the original language accurately it is acceptable.
In addition, if the contextual or if the translation consistent in conveying the
original message of the work, we can say that work of translation is faithful and
believable.
There are three principles in translating a work of prose. Firstly, the work of
translation of the prose should be equivalent with the original work. It means that
the translation should convey exactly the same message with the original work.
Thus, the work will not lose its message meant to be delivered to the reader.
Secondly, the work of translation of a prose should be natural. It means that the
translation should not make the reader think that they read a translation work. By
doing so, the reader will not lose their enjoyment in reading the work. Thirdly,
choose a word that closest to the original work. Therefore, the reader will not
catch different message from the original work.
The last important thing for a translator to know in translating prose is that
they should not embellish the original work. Even if the translation should be

natural but embellish the work will ruin both the original work and the translation
as well.
Generally, translating literary work is adjusting the meaning of a work into
particular language but in the way the creator of the literary work wants to deliver
the message in it. But, the translation of dramatic word has different purpose
compared to the other literary work translation such as poetry and prose. A drama
or a play meant to be played in a particular stage. Therefore, the translation of the
work should not only determine by the text itself but also by the spoken version of
the work.
The fact that a dramatic text should be spoken by the actor in the stage
influence the purpose of translating the text itself in extent. It is because the actor
should pronounce the word in the text smoothly. It is also should be
understandable by the audience. However, the translation also should have the
basic principle of any other literary translation which is conveying the same
message the author wants to delivered. In another word, the work should sound
authentic both in inner and outer part of the dramatic text.
In dramatic translation, the translator should make the spoken language as their
priority. First, it is because drama or play never depict settings and character in the
way prose did. Secondly, drama also depict a relationship between characters
through dialogue and act. It means that there is communication between actor in a
play.