Training translators in cultural competence

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 135 views

Introduction

The Karo society, located in the Singalorlau region, has a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in its language and traditions. The rebu clause, a fundamental aspect of Karo culture, is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been passed down through generations. However, the increasing need for intercultural communication and understanding has led to a growing demand for the translation of Karo texts into English. This study aims to identify and analyze the translation of the themes of the rebu clause in the Karo society, with a focus on politeness and specific cultural terms.

Background

The Karo language is a member of the Austronesian language family and is spoken by approximately 100,000 people in the Singalorlau region. The Karo society is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes a complex system of social hierarchy, kinship ties, and traditional practices. The rebu clause, a fundamental aspect of Karo culture, is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been passed down through generations. It is a form of polite language that is used to express respect, gratitude, and affection towards others.

Methodology

This study employed a qualitative approach, using participatory observation methods to collect data from the Karo community. The data used were cultural texts from the Karo community that were chosen purposively. A total of 121 rebu clauses were identified, translated, and analyzed using a functional systemic linguistic approach. This analysis referred to the three metaphes expressed by Halliday: ideational (ideational), interpersonal, and textual. The main focus of analysis was on the ideational or topical theme of the rebu text.

Translation Methodology

The translation method used in this study was based on the Newmark model, which emphasizes the importance of considering the context and cultural background of the text being translated. Two main methods were applied: literal and semantic translation. In addition, seven translation procedures were adopted to overcome the various problems encountered, namely:

Descriptive equivalence: Using descriptive explanation for terms that do not have direct equivalent in the target language.
Transferrence: Move the term or phrase directly from the source language.
Paraphrase: Reverse ideas with different words to maintain meaning.
Transposition/Shift: Change the order of words or sentence structure to be more suitable in the target language.
Couplets: Using two translation methods for complex terms.
Notes: Providing additional notes to explain the context of cultural or certain terms.
Cultural Equivalence: Using terms that are culturally equivalent to the target language.

Results

The results of the analysis showed that both the common and unusual themes, as well as specific cultural terms, became an obstacle in translation. The study identified various problems that arise during the translation process, including unusual themes, specific cultural terms, and politeness that need to be considered. Through the application of appropriate methods and procedures, it is hoped that this research can contribute to understanding the dynamics of intercultural translation, especially in the context of the Karo community.

Conclusion

This study highlights the challenges faced in translating cultural texts, particularly in the context of the Karo community. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for translators and other researchers who are interested in translation issues and cultural studies. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining meaning and context in the translation process, and the need for a nuanced understanding of the cultural background of the text being translated.

Recommendations

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

Developing a Karo-English dictionary: A dictionary that provides a comprehensive list of Karo words and their English equivalents would be a valuable resource for translators and researchers.
Training translators in cultural competence: Translators should receive training in cultural competence to ensure that they are aware of the cultural nuances and complexities of the text being translated.
Using a functional systemic linguistic approach: This approach provides a framework for analyzing the ideational, interpersonal, and textual aspects of language, which is essential for understanding the complexities of cultural texts.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited scope: The study focused on a specific aspect of Karo culture, namely the rebu clause, and did not explore other aspects of Karo culture.
Limited sample size: The study used a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger Karo community.
Limited generalizability: The study's findings may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Exploring other aspects of Karo culture: Further research could explore other aspects of Karo culture, such as kinship ties, social hierarchy, and traditional practices.
Developing a Karo-English dictionary: A comprehensive dictionary that provides a list of Karo words and their English equivalents would be a valuable resource for translators and researchers.
Training translators in cultural competence: Translators should receive training in cultural competence to ensure that they are aware of the cultural nuances and complexities of the text being translated.

Conclusion

Q: What is the Karo society and what is the significance of the rebu clause in their culture?

A: The Karo society is a community located in the Singalorlau region, known for its rich cultural heritage. The rebu clause is a fundamental aspect of Karo culture, a complex and multifaceted concept that has been passed down through generations. It is a form of polite language that is used to express respect, gratitude, and affection towards others.

Q: What is the purpose of this study and what are the main objectives?

A: The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the translation of the themes of the rebu clause in the Karo society, with a focus on politeness and specific cultural terms. The main objectives of this study are to:

Identify and analyze the translation of the themes of the rebu clause in the Karo society
Examine the challenges faced in translating cultural texts, particularly in the context of the Karo community
Develop a nuanced understanding of the cultural background of the text being translated

Q: What is the methodology used in this study and what are the key findings?

A: The methodology used in this study is a qualitative approach, using participatory observation methods to collect data from the Karo community. The data used were cultural texts from the Karo community that were chosen purposively. A total of 121 rebu clauses were identified, translated, and analyzed using a functional systemic linguistic approach. The key findings of this study are:

Both the common and unusual themes, as well as specific cultural terms, became an obstacle in translation
The study identified various problems that arise during the translation process, including unusual themes, specific cultural terms, and politeness that need to be considered
Through the application of appropriate methods and procedures, it is hoped that this research can contribute to understanding the dynamics of intercultural translation, especially in the context of the Karo community

Q: What are the implications of this study and what are the recommendations for future research?

A: The implications of this study are:

The study highlights the challenges faced in translating cultural texts, particularly in the context of the Karo community
The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining meaning and context in the translation process, and the need for a nuanced understanding of the cultural background of the text being translated

The recommendations for future research are:

Developing a Karo-English dictionary that provides a comprehensive list of Karo words and their English equivalents
Training translators in cultural competence to ensure that they are aware of the cultural nuances and complexities of the text being translated
Using a functional systemic linguistic approach to analyze the ideational, interpersonal, and textual aspects of language

Q: What are the limitations of this study and what are the future research directions?

A: The limitations of this study are:

Limited scope: The study focused on a specific aspect of Karo culture, namely the rebu clause, and did not explore other aspects of Karo culture
Limited sample size: The study used a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger Karo community
Limited generalizability: The study's findings may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts

The future research directions are:

Exploring other aspects of Karo culture, such as kinship ties, social hierarchy, and traditional practices
Developing a Karo-English dictionary that provides a comprehensive list of Karo words and their English equivalents
Training translators in cultural competence to ensure that they are aware of the cultural nuances and complexities of the text being translated