Shifts in the Translation of Archipelago Folktale Malin Kundang and the Origin of Lake Toba Into English

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 48 views

Shifts in the Translation of Archipelago Folktale Malin Kundang and the Origin of Lake Toba Into English

Introduction

The rich cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago is home to numerous folktales that have been passed down through generations, conveying valuable moral lessons and teachings. Among these, the stories of Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba are two of the most well-known and revered tales. However, when these stories are translated into English, a series of shifts occur that can alter the way international readers understand the original context and meaning of the story. This study aims to identify and analyze these shifts in the translation process of these two famous folktales.

The Importance of Malin Kundang and the Origin of Lake Toba

Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba are an integral part of Indonesian cultural heritage, storing moral values and teachings that are essential for the country's identity. These stories have been passed down through generations, and their significance extends beyond the Indonesian archipelago, offering valuable insights into the human experience. When translated into English, these stories have the potential to reach a broader audience, but the translation process can also lead to a loss of cultural context and meaning.

Types of Shifts in Translation

The translation process involves a series of shifts that can affect the form and meaning of the original text. These shifts can be categorized into five types:

Level Shift

A level shift occurs when linguistic elements move from one level to another. For example, when the word used in the source language (Indonesian) has a more complex meaning, and when translated to be simpler in English, thus changing the original nuances. This type of shift can lead to a loss of detail and context, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the level of language used in the original text.

Structure Shift

A structure shift occurs when the sentence structure changes when translated. A more complicated structure in Indonesian can be simplified in English, or vice versa, which causes a shift in understanding context. This type of shift can affect the way the reader interprets the story, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the sentence structure used in the original text.

Unit Shift

A unit shift includes changes in the language unit, both from the word to phrase or vice versa. For example, one word in Indonesian can be translated into several words in English, or vice versa, which can affect the meaning conveyed. This type of shift can lead to a loss of precision and accuracy, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the language unit used in the original text.

Class Shift

Changes in class class also often occur. For example, nouns in the source language can be converted into verbs in translation, or other changes that affect the reader's interpretation. This type of shift can lead to a change in the way the reader understands the story, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the class of language used in the original text.

Intra-System Shift

An intra-system shift refers to the changes that occur in the linguistic system itself, such as the shift from the nominal to verbal system, which can affect the way the meaning is conveyed in the translation. This type of shift can lead to a loss of cultural context and meaning, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the linguistic system used in the original text.

Shift in Meaning

In addition to shifting form, this study also found several changes in meaning. For example, there is a shift in meaning from generic to specific, or vice versa, which can change the emphasis on certain elements in the story. In addition, there is also a shift from the lexical meaning to the grammatical meaning, which can affect how the reader interprets the context and character in the story.

Conclusion

The shift in translation is not just a linguistic challenge, but also involves a cultural understanding and a deep context. Through an analysis of shifting forms and meanings in the archipelago folklore such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba, we can better understand how the influence of local culture interacts with language and create new meanings for international readers. This study provides valuable insights for translators and researchers in understanding the dynamics of translation and the importance of maintaining the authenticity of meaning in the process.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Translators should carefully consider the level of language used in the original text to avoid a loss of detail and context.
Translators should carefully consider the sentence structure used in the original text to avoid a shift in understanding context.
Translators should carefully consider the language unit used in the original text to avoid a loss of precision and accuracy.
Translators should carefully consider the class of language used in the original text to avoid a change in the way the reader understands the story.
Translators should carefully consider the linguistic system used in the original text to avoid a loss of cultural context and meaning.

By following these recommendations, translators can ensure that the translation of archipelago folktales such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba accurately conveys the original meaning and context, providing international readers with a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture and heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shifts in the Translation of Archipelago Folktale Malin Kundang and the Origin of Lake Toba Into English

Q: What is the significance of Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba in Indonesian culture?

A: Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba are two of the most well-known and revered folktales in Indonesian culture, conveying valuable moral lessons and teachings that are essential for the country's identity.

Q: What are the types of shifts that occur in the translation process of these folktales?

A: The types of shifts that occur in the translation process of these folktales include level shift, structure shift, unit shift, class shift, and intra-system shift.

Q: What is a level shift in translation?

A: A level shift occurs when linguistic elements move from one level to another. For example, when the word used in the source language (Indonesian) has a more complex meaning, and when translated to be simpler in English, thus changing the original nuances.

Q: What is a structure shift in translation?

A: A structure shift occurs when the sentence structure changes when translated. A more complicated structure in Indonesian can be simplified in English, or vice versa, which causes a shift in understanding context.

Q: What is a unit shift in translation?

A: A unit shift includes changes in the language unit, both from the word to phrase or vice versa. For example, one word in Indonesian can be translated into several words in English, or vice versa, which can affect the meaning conveyed.

Q: What is a class shift in translation?

A: A class shift refers to changes in class class, such as nouns in the source language being converted into verbs in translation, or other changes that affect the reader's interpretation.

Q: What is an intra-system shift in translation?

A: An intra-system shift refers to the changes that occur in the linguistic system itself, such as the shift from the nominal to verbal system, which can affect the way the meaning is conveyed in the translation.

Q: What are the implications of these shifts in translation?

A: The implications of these shifts in translation are that they can lead to a loss of cultural context and meaning, making it essential for translators to carefully consider the linguistic elements, sentence structure, language unit, class of language, and linguistic system used in the original text.

Q: How can translators minimize the effects of these shifts in translation?

A: Translators can minimize the effects of these shifts in translation by carefully considering the linguistic elements, sentence structure, language unit, class of language, and linguistic system used in the original text, and by using techniques such as back-translation and peer review to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the translation.

Q: What are the benefits of accurately translating archipelago folktales such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba?

A: The benefits of accurately translating archipelago folktales such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba include providing international readers with a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture and heritage, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

Q: How can readers ensure that they are reading an accurate translation of archipelago folktales such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba?

A: Readers can ensure that they are reading an accurate translation of archipelago folktales such as Malin Kundang and the origin of Lake Toba by looking for translations that are done by experienced and qualified translators, and by checking the translation against the original text to ensure that it accurately conveys the original meaning and context.