Understanding Target-Oriented Translation and Source-Oriented Translation

Understanding Source-Oriented Translation & Target-Oriented Translation

Source-oriented translation and target-oriented translation are two approaches to translation that focus on different aspects of the translation process.

  1. Source-Oriented Translation: Source-oriented translation, also known as “formal equivalence” or “faithfulness to the source,” prioritizes staying as close as possible to the structure, style, and wording of the source text. The goal is to reproduce the source text’s form and preserve its linguistic and cultural characteristics. It tends to emphasize the source language and culture, sometimes at the expense of naturalness or clarity in the target language.

Example:

English Source Text: “Lost time is never found again.”

Source-Oriented Translation (literal): “Waktu yang hilang tidak pernah ditemukan lagi.”

Back translation: “Lost time is never found again.”

In this example, the translation closely mirrors the structure and wording of the source text, maintaining a literal correspondence. While it retains the form of the original, it may not sound as natural or idiomatic in the target language.

  1. Target-Oriented Translation: Target-oriented translation, also known as “dynamic equivalence” or “functional equivalence,” prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the source text in a way that is natural and culturally appropriate for the target audience. It focuses on producing a translation that reads fluently and effectively in the target language, even if it involves some departure from the exact form of the source text.

Example:

English Source Text: “Actions speak louder than words.”

Target-Oriented Translation: “Tindakan lebih berarti daripada kata-kata.”

Back translation: “Actions are more meaningful than words.”

In this example, the translation prioritizes conveying the meaning and naturalness in the target language. It adapts the wording and sentence structure to create a more idiomatic and fluent translation while still capturing the essence of the original.

It’s important to note that the choice between source-oriented and target-oriented translation approaches depends on various factors, such as the purpose of the translation, the target audience, the nature of the text, and the desired impact in the target language. Both approaches have their merits, and professional translators often employ a combination of these approaches to strike a balance between faithfulness to the source and readability in the target language.

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