AN ANALYSIS OF IDIOM EXPRESSION

IN THE DISCUSSION TEXT ENTITLED

“Untung dan Rugi Kuliah Jarak Jauh”
(The Advantage and Disadvantage of Long-Distance Learning)

By:
Hanif Genang S. C0306004
Anita Rusjayanti C0306012
Chandra Septiana P. C0306021

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
2010
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

This paper will discuss about the idiomatic expressions used in the article
entitled “Untung dan Rugi Kuliah Jarak Jauh” as the source text (ST) which is
then translated into English. The text is kind of discussion text which discusses
about a topic or an issue which consists of three main parts; they are an opening, a
body as arguments, and a recommendation.
In the translation of “The advantages and Disadvantages of Long-distance
Learning”, we found some idiomatic expressions to analyze. Idiom is a fixed
expression and we can not only translate it without understanding the meaning
behind the expression. So, it is reasonable when the translator faces idiomatic
expression, the translating text becomes more complex because the translator has
to analyze the meaning in the expression. Idiomatic expression can be found in
daily life, conversation and many more especially in English. There are many
idiomatic expressions explaining a meaning, whether it is implicit or explicit. It is
challenging for the translator to find the right meaning in the Target Text. The
translator must find the right meaning to make a qualified translation that is
accurate, acceptable and readable.
We analyzed the idiomatic expression to know how to understand it and to
know how to solve it. We divide our discussion as follows:
CHAPTER I : Introduction which contains a brief explanation about
idiomatic expression and paper organization.
CHAPTER II : Literature Review which contains the definition of
idiomatic expression.
CHAPTER III : Discussion which contains the discussion of
idiomatic expression in the article entitled “Untung dan
Rugi Kuliah Jarak Jauh”.
CHAPTER IV : Conclusion
 CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW

Idiomatic expression is commonly used in general spoken and written

language in English. Unlike Indonesia, people are seldom to use idiom in general
everyday communication. However, Indonesian language also has many idiomatic
expressions even they are rarely used. McLay (1987:3) states that idioms are
phrases where the whole phrase means something different from the meaning of
the separate words. All languages have idioms, but an idiom in one language may
have no direct equivalent to another. This means when you learn a new language,
you have to learn idioms as complete phrases. As well as idiom, idiomatic
expression in Indonesian may have its equivalent in English or it may not.
In translating the idiomatic expression, the translator needs some strategies
to overcome the problems which may be found. This paper uses the translation
strategy engaged by Mona Baker in her book entitled In Other Words (1992).
Baker (1992) explains that idiom carries meaning which cannot be deduced from
its individual components. It means that the meaning of idiom cannot be predicted
from the words arranging it. There are frozen patterns of idiom which allow little
or no variation in form:
1. Change the order of the words in it (e.g. * ‘the short and the long of it’)
2. Delete a word from it (e.g. * ‘spill beans’)
3. Add a word to it (e.g. * ‘the very long and short of it’; * ‘face the classical
music’)
4. Replace a word with another (e.g. * ‘the tall and the short of it’; * ‘bury a
hatchet’)
5. Change its grammatical structure (e.g. * ‘the music was faced’)
 Baker (1992:68) also proposes the main difficulties in translating idiom,
they are:
1. An idiom may have no equivalent in the target language. The way a
language chooses to express, or not to express, various meanings cannot be
predicted and only occasionally matches the way another language
chooses to express the same meaning. It means that the existence of idiom
in a sentence cannot be predicted and it is difficult to find equivalent
idioms and expressions in target language.
2. An idiom may have similar counterpart in the target language, but its
context of use may be different; the two expressions may have different
connotations, for instance, or they may not be pragmatically transferable.
3. An idiom may be used in the source text in both its literal and
idiomatic senses at the same time. Unless, the target language idiom
corresponds to the source language idiom both in form and in meaning, the
play on idiom cannot be successfully reproduced in the target text.
4. The very convention of using idioms in written discourse, the context
in which they can be used, and their frequency of use may be different
in the source and target language. English use idioms in many types of
text, though not in all. Their use in quality-press news reports is very
limited, but it is quite common to see idioms in English advertisement,
promotional material, and in the tabloid press.

Using idiomatic expression in the written product, may find some

difficulties like the explanation above. Though, Mona Baker (1992:71) then
created some strategies of translating idioms based on the consideration of
difficulties. The strategies of translating idiom are:
1. Translation by using an idiom of similar meaning and form.
This strategy involves using an idiom in the target language which
conveys roughly the same meaning as that of the source language idiom
and, in addition, consists of equivalent lexical items.
 Example:
SL: Aku memeras otak dalam menyelesaikan masalah ini.
TL: I racked my brain to solve this problem.
2. Translation by using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form.
It is often possible to find an idiom in the target language which has
similar meaning to the source idiom or expression, but the idiom consists
of different lexical items.
Example:
SL: Aku seperti mendapat durian runtuh karena aku menang dalam
kontes itu.
TL: I feel like million buck since I won that contest.
3. Translation by paraphrase.
This is the most common way of translating idiom when a match cannot be
found in the target language or when it seems inappropriate to use
idiomatic language in the target text because of differences in stylistic
preferences of the source and the target languages.
Example:
SL: Wanita itu berdarah biru.
TL: The woman is from noble family.
4. Translation by Omission
As with single words, an idiom may sometimes be omitted altogether in
the target text. This may be because it has no close match in the target
language, its meaning cannot be easily paraphrase, or for stylistic reason.
Example:
SL: Banyak wanita cantik berdiri memenuhi ruangan.
TL: There are many beautiful women standing here and there all over the
hall.
 CHAPTER III
DISCUSSION

This chapter will discuss the analysis of idiomatic expression in the

discussion text entitled “The Advantage and Disadvantage of Long-Distance
Learning”. The SL idiom is underlined while the TL idiom is typed in bold.
The followings are the idiomatic expressions found in the text:
1. dipandang sebelah mata : underestimated
2. menjamur : mushrooming
3. on-line : on-line
4. umpan balik : feedback
5. bertatap muka : see face to face
6. mengambil keputussan : make up (their) mind
7. meneliti diri sendiri dengan jeli : examine carefully

Below is the analysis of idiomatic expressions found in the article:

1. Translation by using an idiom of similar meaning and form.

a) SL : Akan tetapi kini pembelajaran (kuliah) jarak jauh semakin
menjamur.
TL : However, long-distance learning is more mushrooming
now.
Analysis : The SL idiom ‘menjamur’ means sprout/grow rapidly like
a mushroom. The TL idiom ‘mushrooming’ has the same
meaning with SL idiom. Both idioms have the same
meaning and form (as a verb). This analysis is appropriate
with Mona Baker’s theory and Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
which the strategy of translation uses similar meaning and
form applied in the idiom translation.
 b) SL : Dengan kelas on-line, masalah tersebut tidak akan
ada.
TL : With on-line class, such problem would not exist.
Analysis : In Indonesian text, the idiom ‘on-line’ comes from its
original language (English) that means connotative rather
than denotative. This idiom means being controlled by or
connected to a computer or to the internet. The idiom ‘on-
line’ can be accepted by both languages (SL and TL)
because it has similar meaning and form (as a noun).

c) SL : Kelemahan lain dari kuliah jarak jauh adalah bahwa

umpan balik dari dosen tidak segera didapat oleh
mahasiswa.
TL : Another disadvantage of long-distance learning is that the
lecturers’ feedback is not immediately obtained by the
students.
Analysis : Basically, this strategy has requirements such as the idiom
must have same meaning and form, so that if it is back-
translated, the TL idiom and SL idiom have the same
structure or SL idiom already has its own equivalent in TL
idiom. This case is the same as the idiom ‘umpan balik’
which then is translated into TL idiom ‘feedback’. Both
idioms have the same meaning and structure. The idiom
‘umpan balik’ means something (act, question, and etc)
that is given in order to get a reaction. Meanwhile, the TL
idiom ‘feedback’ means advice, criticism, etc about good
or useful something or somebody’s work is. In addition,
both idioms are accurately conveyed and are acceptable.

d) SL : The students of long-distance learning may feel

isolated and do not have opportunity to see face-to-
 face with the lecturer as happens in regular
lectures.
TL : Para mahasiswa kuliah jarak jauh mungkin akan merasa
terisolasi dan tidak memiliki kesempatan untuk bertatap
muka dengan para dosen sebagaimana yang yang terjadi
pada perkuliahan biasa.
Analysis : The SL idiom ‘bertatap muka’ already have its equivalent
in TL idiom ‘face-to-face’. The idiom ‘bertatap muka’
means to see directly at somebody while ‘face-to-face’
means lose to and looking at somebody. Both idioms have
the same meaning and form. It can be proven by translating
TL idiom back into SL idiom.

2. Translation by using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form.

a) SL : Beberapa tahun yang lalu, program kuliah jarak jauh
dipandang sebelah mata.
TL : Several years ago, long-distance learning program was
underestimated.
Analysis : the analysis of idioms above is that the SL idiom has the
same meaning with TL idiom but they have different from.
The SL idiom ‘dipandang sebelah mata’ means to neglect,
not paying attention, think if something is not important
while the TL idiom ‘underestimated’ means not realize
how good, strong, determined, etc somebody really is. It is
true that SL idiom already has its equivalent in TL idiom
but there are some lexical changes in TL. If TL idiom is
back-translated, the SL idiom may be different from the
beginning TL idiom.
b) SL : Jadi, sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk memilih
program kuliah jarak jauh, mahasiswa perlu meneliti diri
sendiri dengan jeli, ia jenis pembelajar yang bagaimana.
TL : Thus, before making up their mind to choose long-
distance learning program, the students need to examine
themselves carefully of what kind of leaner they are.
Analysis : The SL words ‘mengambil keputusan’ belongs to idiom
because the meaning of the word ‘mengambil’ is
connotation instead of denotation. This idiom ‘mengambil
keputusan’ means an act to make a decision about
something. It is the same as the meaning of TL idiom
‘making up their (somebody’s) mind’ which means to
decide what to choose. Yet, the form of both idioms is
different because they use different choice of words.

3. Translation by paraphrase
SL : Jadi, sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk
memilihprogram kuliah jarak jauh, mahasiswa perlu
meneliti diri sendiri dengan jeli, ia jenis pembelajar yang
bagaimana.
TL : Thus, before making up their mind to choose long-
distance learning program, the students need to examine
themselves carefully of what kind of leaner they are.
Analysis : The idiom ‘meneliti dengan jeli’ is translated by
paraphrasing into ‘examine carefully.’ The meaning of
idiom ‘meneliti dengan jeli’ is shown directly in the TL and
the TL words ‘examine carefully’ is not an idiom.
 CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION

Translation strategy is an important aspect in translating idiomatic

expression from SL to TL. Each strategy has its own characteristics. Actually,
there are seven data of idiomatic expressions found in the article and three
strategies applied by the translator in translating idiomatic expressions of the
discussion text. These strategies are translation by using an idiom of similar
meaning and form, translation by paraphrase, and translation by using an idiom of
similar meaning but dissimilar form as proposed by Mona Baker. From the data
analysis, the dominant strategy applied by the translator is a translation strategy
by using an idiom of similar meaning and form.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, Mona. 1992. In Other Words: A Course Book on Translation. London:

Routledge.
McLay, Vera. 1987. Idioms at Work. Canada: Language teaching Publication.
 APPENDIX

Indonesian Text
Untung Rugi Kuliah Jarak Jauh

Beberapa tahun yang lalu, program kuliah jarak jauh dipandang sebelah
mata. Akan tetapi kini pembelajaran (kuliah) jarak jauh semakin menjamur.
Semakin banyak perguruan tinggi yang terkenal yang menyediakan program
kuliah jarak jauh.
Akan tetapi, apakah kuliah jarak jauh lebih memberikan keuntungan atau
malah merugikan masih menjadi perdebatan. Beberapa orang yang meyakini
bahwa kuliah jarak jauh menguntungkan akan mengatakan bahwa kuliah jarak
jauh tidak mengharuskan seseorang untuk berpergian jauh. Tentu saja hal ini akan
menghemat biaya dan waktu mahasiswa yang mengikuti kuliah jarak jauh. Selain
dari pada itu, kuliah jarak jauh dapat dilakukan kapanpun sesuai keinginan
mahasiswa. Berarti mahasiswa tidak perlu menghadiri kuliah pada waktu dan
tempat yang diatur oleh fihak lain. Mahasiswa dapat mempelajari materi
perkuliahan dan mengerjakan tugas-tugas kuliah di waktu luang mereka dan dapat
dikerjakan di rumah. Program kuliah jarak jauh dapat diakses dengan lebih
leluasa. Tak dapat dipungkiri bahwa mereka yang tidak memiliki kesempatan
banyak untuk berpergian mungkin akan kesulitan jika mereka harus kuliah di luar
kota dengan program kuliah yang biasa. Dengan kelas on-line, masalah tersebut
tidak akan ada.
Meskipun kuliah jarak jauh memiliki keuntungan sebagaimana disebutkan
di atas, ada pula yang melihat bahwa kuliah jarak jauh mahal dan membutuhkan
teknologi yang rumit. Untuk mengikuti kuliah jarak jauh, mahasiswa harus
memiliki komputer dan mimiliki akses internet. Padahal teknologi tersebut tidak
selalu dimiliki oleh semua orang. Kelemahan lain dari kuliah jarak jauh adalah
bahwa umpan balik dari dosen tidak segera didapat oleh mahasiswa. Tidak seperti
perkuliahan di kelas, mahasiswa kuliah jarak jauh harus menunggu dalam waktu
yang relatif lebih lama untuk mendapatkan komentar dari dosen tentang tugas
yang telah dikerjakannya. Selain dari pada itu, siswa juga lebih banyak belajar
secara mandiri. Para mahasiswa kuliah jarak jauh mungkin akan merasa terisolasi
dan tidak memiliki kesempatan untuk bertatap muka dengan para dosen
sebagaimana yang yang terjadi pada perkuliahan biasa.
Berkenaan dengan gaya belajar seseorang, banyak siswa yang dapat
belajar jika mereka bisa langsung bertatap muka dengan guru mereka, karena
mereka bisa berinteraksi secara langsung dan guru berada di sisi mereka saat
mereka membutuhkan. Akan tetapi banyak pula yang tidak memerlukan hal
tersebut. Jadi, sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk memilih program kuliah jarak
jauh, mahasiswa perlu meneliti diri sendiri dengan jeli, ia jenis pembelajar yang
bagaimana.

English Text

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Long-Distance Learning

Several years ago, long-distance learning program was underestimated.

However, long-distance learning is more mushrooming now. There are more
famous universities providing long-distance learning program.
However, whether long-distance learning is more beneficial or even
harmful is still debatable. Some people who believe that the long-distance
learning gives advantages will say that it does not require its students to take a far
drive. Certainly, it will minimize costs and time of the students who follow long-
distance learning. Moreover, the long-distance learning can be done anytime as
students’ wish. It means that the students do not need to attend the lecture at the
time and place set by other parties. The students can study the material and do the
assignments in their spare time and can be done at home. The program of long-
distance learning can be accessed more freely. It is undeniable that those who
miss their chance to travel may get difficulty if they have to study out of town
with regular lecture program. With on-line class, such problem will not exist.
Although long-distance learning has advantages as mentioned above, there
is also a view that long-distance learning is expensive and requires a complex
technology. To follow long-distance learning, the student must have a computer
set and internet access. Yet, these technologies are not always owned by
everyone. Another disadvantage of long-distance learning is that the lecturers’
feedback is not immediately obtained by the students. Unlike the lecture in a
class, the long-distance learning students have to wait in relatively longer time to
get comment from the lecturer about their assignment about the task which has
been done. Besides, the students also learn more independently. The students of
long-distance learning may feel isolated and do not have opportunity to see face-
to-face with the lecturer as happens in regular lectures.
Regarding to one’s learning style, many students can study if they can
directly see face-to-face with their teacher. It is because they can directly interact
each other and the teachers can guide them as long as they are needed. Otherwise,
many others do not require it. Thus, before making up their mind to choose long-
distance learning program, the students need to examine themselves carefully of
what kind of leaner they are.