An Analysis of Students’ Strategies in Translating Idioms: A Case Study of English Department of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to find out (1) the strategies that students used by the 6th semester of the English Department of Teacher Training and Education faculty of UNTIRTA in translating idioms and (2) the accuracy of translating idioms by students in the 6th semester of English Department of Teacher Training and Education faculty of UNTIRTA. The researcher used the qualitative research method by applying content analysis research design in conducting the research. In analyzing the idioms and students' translation, theories by Baker (2011) and Nababan (2012) were used. The result of this research showed that: First, there are 3 out of 5 strategies in translating idioms by Baker's theory used by the students (1) using an idiom with similar meaning but different form (1.5%), (2) translation by paraphrase (85.4%), and (3) translation by omission (13%). The most frequent translation strategies used in translating the idioms are translation by paraphrase. Second, the accuracy of translated results by the students showed that 78 data (23.6%) were accurate, 126 data (38.2%) were less accurate, and 126 data (38.2%) were less accurate. So, the accuracy of translation of idioms in A Little Life Philosophy text by students is less accurate and not accurate.