How to translate idioms and proverbs? As not all idioms have direct equivalents in another language, because they are linguistic expressions which are typical for a language and specific to a single culture.
Translating idioms and proverbs from one language to another is often considered one of the most challenging tasks in the field of translation (Dastjerdi, 2011). Idioms and proverbs are expressions that are deeply rooted in a language’s culture, and often have no direct equivalent in another language. As a result, translators must be skilled in not only the source and target languages to be able to translate idioms and proverbs, but also the cultural nuances and connotations of the idioms and proverbs they are translating.
One of the biggest challenges in translating idioms and proverbs is finding an equivalent expression that accurately conveys the intended meaning. Literal translations of idioms and proverbs often result in nonsensical phrases that fail to capture the intended meaning. For example, the English idiom “to let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret, but a literal translation in another language would make no sense. Then how to properly translate idioms and proverbs?
To overcome this challenge and be able to translate idioms, translators must have a deep understanding of the cultural context in which the idiom or proverb is used. They must be able to identify the underlying concept or metaphor behind the expression and find an equivalent expression in the target language that captures the same concept or metaphor. This often requires a great deal of creativity and linguistic finesse.
Another challenge in translating idioms and proverbs is maintaining the tone and style of the original expression. Idioms and proverbs often have a unique rhythm, rhyme, or alliteration that can be lost in translation. To properly translate idioms and proverbs, translators must be able to convey the intended meaning while preserving the expression’s musicality in the target language.
To address this challenge, translators may use a variety of strategies, such as using puns, rhymes, or alliterations in the target language. They may also adapt the expression to fit the cultural context of the target language, while still preserving the underlying concept or metaphor.
Here are some examples of how to translate idioms (English to Indonesian):
- “Break a leg”: This idiom means “good luck” in English, but in Indonesian, a more appropriate translation would be “Sukses ya!” or “Semoga sukses!” which means “success to you!”
- “Kill two birds with one stone”: This idiom means to achieve two things at once. In Indonesian, an equivalent idiom would be “Sekali mendayung, dua tiga pulau terlampaui”, which translates to “Once you row the oar, two or three islands will be passed.”
- “It’s raining cats and dogs”: This idiom means it’s raining very heavily. In Indonesian, a proper translation would be “Hujan deras sekali”, which translates to “It’s raining very heavily.”
- “To have a chip on one’s shoulder”: This idiom means to be easily offended or always ready to fight. In Indonesian, a proper translation would be “Gampang tersinggung” which translates to “easily offended” or “Suka mencari masalah” which translates to “always looking for trouble.”
- “To let the cat out of the bag”: This idiom means to reveal a secret. In Indonesian, a proper translation would be “Membuka rahasia” which translates to “to reveal a secret.”
Remember that idioms can have different equivalents depending on the context and culture of the language. It’s essential to understand the meaning behind the idioms and how they are used in different languages before attempting to translate them.
If you want an effortless way to translate idioms, let us know so we can help you.
WhatsApp Us