Translation Strategies of Cultural Words in Disney Songs

Abstract

This study entitled Translation Strategies of the Cultural Words in Disney Songs aims to analyse the translation strategies used in translating cultural words found in selected Disney songs from English into Indonesian. The objectives of this study are to identify types of cultural words based on Newmark’s cultural categories and to determine Newmark’s translation strategies used in translating selected cultural words. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method. Based on the results, the translator applies borrowing, modulation, cultural equivalence, descriptive equivalence strategies to convey cultural concepts effectively. The dominant strategy in this research is Descriptive Equivalent. This strategy is used because many cultural words in the source language are culturally specific and it is difficult to translate them directly. Meanwhile, material culture is the dominant category of cultural words that are found in this study. This shows that natural aspects such as traditional food, clothing, houses, tools, and other physical objects have a significant role in representing cultural identity of the songs. These material cultural words are mostly translated using the descriptive equivalent strategy to make the translated version reserve the natural meanings conveyed to the target language. This study provides insight into cultural translation particularly in song lyrics and serves as a reference for translators who are dealing with texts that are rich with cultural words.