THE AESTHETIC SHIFT IN METAPHOR TRANSLATION IN KESATRIA, PUTRI, DANBINTANG JATUH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Metaphor translation is a nuanced process that transcends literal translation, influencing the aesthetic and emotional qualities of the original text. This study investigates how metaphors shift in aesthetic effects and meaning when translated from Indonesian to English. The study aims to examine how metaphorical expressions are altered in translation, focusing on changes in visual imagery, emotional depth, and cultural nuances. It seeks to understand how these shifts impact the poetic and emotional resonancy of the original text. A descriptive qualitative approach was used to analyze various metaphoric translations. The study compared Indonesian metaphors with their English counterparts, assessing the changes in aesthetic effects and meaning. Findings reveal that translations often simplify or modify the original metaphors, affecting their poetic and emotional depth. For example, "tetesan-tetesan air yang bercahaya keperakan" is translated to "silver drops," which reduces the original's magical quality. Similarly, "nirwana yang mampu menampung perasaan kita" shifts to "release a little piece of our souls," changing the conceptual focus from containment to release. These changes demonstrate the challenges of balancing fidelity to the source text with the target language's norms. The study underscores the complexities of metaphor translation, highlighting the impact of aesthetic and cultural shifts on the translated text. While some translations retain the essence of the original, others lose significant poetic and emotional qualities. The findings stress the need for translators to carefully navigate between preserving the original's depth and adapting to the target language's stylistic conventions.