Representing The National Identity Through Foreignization in The English Translation of Selected Indonesian Children’s Literature

Abstract

National identity can be reflected by distinctive traditions, culture, and language and is found in literary works. However, the issue is that whether translated literature can maintain the national identity of the original works. Therefore, to answer this problem, this research aims to investigate categories of foreignization in the English translation of selected Indonesian children’s literature. Besides, it further unravels the applied methods in explaining the foreignization found to determine the purpose and whether it can maintain the national identity of the original. This research was conducted through a descriptive qualitative approach. The data were collected through document analysis utilizing content and thematic analysis. The research results illustrate the categories of foreignization identified in the novel, such as terms of address, exotic fruits, traditional foods, fabric and clothes, and Javanese expressions. The applied methods in explaining the foreignization, i.e., footnotes and in-text descriptions, are then studied under the readers’ response approach to determine the appropriateness and success in maintaining the national identity. This study concludes that the foreignization done by the translators to keep the identity in the works aims to introduce and promote local Indonesian culture in how people address others, the richness of local fruits, foods, and clothes. It also presents Javanese expression to specifically expresses specific terms or feeling to the wider audience and readers. Footnotes and in-text descriptions as translator notes add more illustrations of the foreignization for the readers while showing the national identity.