AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSLATION PROCEDURE OF CULTURAL TERMS IN THE STORY WAYANG SAYANG

Abstract

Cultural terms in children’s books are words or phrases embodying unique cultural elements that reflect a community’s identity and values, such as traditions, artifacts, or social practices. In translating these terms, especially for young reades, the challenge lies in conveying their cultural significance white ensuring clarity and engagement, as these terms often lack direct equivalents in other language. Effective translation requires balancing authenticity with accessibility to foster cross-cultural understanding. This study investigates the translation procedures of cultural terms in the bilingual children’s story “Wayang Sayang,” from an anthology of Indonesian children’s stories book, using Newmark’s (1988) framework. It aims to classify cultural terms into Newmark’s five categories and analyze translation procedures that preserve their cultural essence for young English-speaking readers. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the study identifies 18 cultural terms, categorized as social culture (55.55%), material culture (38.89%), and ecology (5.56%). The dominant translation procedure is the couplet of transference and descriptive equivalence (77.78%), ensuring cultural fidelity and comprehension. This research highlights the role of nuanced translation in preserving Indonesian heritage and promoting cultural appreciation in children’s books.