TRANSLATION THEORY AS A BASIC OF TRANSLATION LEARNING: A QUALITATIVE-ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand comprehensively the  importance of theory translation for translation learning in the Foreign Language Academy of Borobudur, Jakarta. The study used qualitative ethnographic method.The data were collected through observation, interview, and documentation. The study indicates that: (1) translation theory must be mastered by the students to get the goals, the translation must be adapted to the cultural context of the source language, (2) varieties of strategies, approaches, methods, and techniques are used (3) materials in the syllabus are ranged from the easy level to the difficult one, (4) teaching materials are developed with the appropriate learning media in which motivate the students, (5) conducive environment is created by lecturer and students, (6) infrastructure and learning media are used adequately, (7) evaluation is based on accuracy, naturalness, and clarity of the text.The students learned intensively in comfortable environment. The lecturer explained grammar elaborately but she did not emphasize the translation strategy completely.    Keywords: translation theory, ethnography.