Investigating the Translation of Idiomatic Expressions in the Indonesian Subtitles of Dead Poets Society
Abstract
This research investigates the translation of idiomatic expressions in the Indonesian subtitles of the film Dead Poets Society (1989). Employing a descriptive qualitative design, the study identifies idioms in the English dialogue, analyzes the translation strategies applied, and evaluates the resulting meaning equivalence. Data were collected through documentation of the film's dialogue and official Indonesian subtitles, with analysis guided by translation strategy frameworks. Findings indicate that paraphrasing is the dominant translation strategy (53%), followed by idiom-to-idiom translation (27%), literal translation (13%), and omission (7%). While core meanings are generally preserved, metaphorical nuance and cultural connotations are frequently reduced. The study concludes that idiom translation in subtitling involves balancing semantic accuracy with the technical constraints of the medium, often prioritizing audience comprehension over stylistic preservation. These findings contribute to understanding the complexities of audiovisual translation and offer practical insights for subtitle practitioners.
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Introduction
Language functions not only as a tool for conveying information but also as a medium for expressing cultural values. Idiomatic expressions represent a linguistic element that reflects cultural identity, as their meanings cannot be interpreted literally from their constituent words. Idioms often contain figurative messages, symbolic values, and cultural connotations that present complexity in translation (Ngongo et al., 2024). When transferring idioms from English to Indonesian, translators must negotiate meaning, culture, and readability to ensure message relevance for the target audience, given that cultural differences between languages can cause semantic shifts.
Film is a medium that frequently features idiomatic expressions, as dialogue typically aims to represent native speakers' language style for natural and communicative effect. Dead Poets Society (1989) is particularly rich in idiomatic expressions, especially through the character of Mr. Keating, whose language style is inspirational and advice-laden. These idioms are not merely linguistic embellishments but reflect philosophical motivations, emotional developments, and character evolution. They contribute significantly to character building, moral messaging, and narrative progression.
However, translating these idioms into Indonesian subtitles presents numerous challenges. Idiomatic expressions may undergo meaning shifts, paraphrasing, omission, or cultural adaptation to maintain clarity within the limited text duration of subtitles (Sinambela et al., 2024). This raises important questions about how equivalently the source language idiom's meaning is represented in the target language. Therefore, examining idiom translation in the Indonesian subtitles of Dead Poets Society is relevant both linguistically and culturally, helping to understand how figurative meanings are transferred and to what extent message integrity is maintained in audiovisual translation.
Based on this background, the present research addresses three main questions:
- What idiomatic expressions appear in the English dialogue of Dead Poets Society?
- What translation strategies are employed in rendering these idioms into Indonesian subtitles?
- How accurate and equivalent are the translated idioms in conveying meaning to Indonesian audiences?
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that translating idiomatic expressions in Dead Poets Society Indonesian subtitles involves strategic choices significantly affecting meaning equivalence. Paraphrasing emerges as the primary strategy, prioritizing audience comprehension within subtitling constraints. While this approach generally preserves core meanings, it often reduces metaphorical nuance and cultural specificity.
The research confirms that successful idiom translation in subtitles depends on multiple factors: availability of cultural equivalents, the idiom's narrative function, and technical limitations of the medium. Translations achieve optimal results when strategies align with the idiom's communicative purpose and the target audience's cultural framework.
These findings contribute to translation studies by illustrating practical applications of translation theory in audiovisual contexts. They offer valuable insights for subtitle practitioners, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive strategies that balance meaning accuracy with medium constraints. Future research could investigate audience reception of different translation approaches or examine idiom translation across various film genres and cultural contexts.
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