Linguistic and Cultural Problems in Translation

Abstract

Cultural problems in translation arise due to differences between the two languages in expressing identity and lifestyle. Translators will find it difficult to translate abstract or concrete concepts in the source language/culture (SL/C), completely unknown in the target language/culture (TL/C). This paper addresses two problems namely linguistic problems and cultural problems. Linguistic problems include lexical, morphological, syntactical, and semantic problems. The cultural problems include terms in ecology, terms related to cultural objects,terms related to life like society, work and leisure, and terms related to organization, customs, activities, procedures, and concepts. The data was gathered from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit or There and Back Again" and its Indonesian translation "Hobit atau Pergi dan Kembali" which is translated by A. Adiwiyoto. The findings show that there are many adjustments as well as the phenomenon of equivalence between the two languages. The meaning that the author wants to convey, the structure of words and sentences, point of view, rhyme, wordplay, context, socio-cultural, and geographical conditions are things that affect the form of translation presented. These findings suggest that the use of good approaches, methods, and procedures will result in an acceptable translation and convey the meaning of the SL without having to sacrifice many things.