Proceedings of The 4th Annual International Seminar on Transformative Education and Educational Leadership (AISTEEL)

eISSN: 2548-4613

Subtitling Strategies Used in The Meg Movie Texts

Devi Suci Nirwana Rahmad Husein Zainuddin
English Applied Linguistic Study English Applied Linguistic Study English Applied Linguistic Study
Program Program Program
Postgraduate School, UNIMED Postgraduate School, UNIMED Postgraduate School, UNIMED
Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract—Subtitling strategies used by subtitler in The Meg movie is one of the famous movie in 2018 that
translating, word, phrase or speaker’s utterances in audiovisual enjoyed by all age circles, from children until adult and it is
field. This research deals with subtitling strategies used in The directed by Jon Turteltaub. This movie is about the shark
Meg movie texts. The purpose of this study is to describe the namely Megalodon, the largest shark ever known believed to
types of subtitling strategies used in The Meg movie texts. The be extinct for millions of years. The source language (SL) of
research methodology used in the research is qualitative research this movie is English and the target language (TL) is
design. The object of the study is The Meg movie directed by Jon Indonesian. Rizal Adam as the movie subtitler applied many
Turteltaub. The data were analyzed by using interactive model of
types of subtitling strategies in the subtitles so the viewers can
qualitative data management and analysis namely data
be easily got the idea of each utterance in the movie.
collection, data condensation, data display and verification and
conlusion. Based on the data analysis, the findings of this study In this case, the problems appear when the researcher saw
revealed that there were ten types of subtitling strategies based some awkward cases in the TL. Not all of the SL translated
on Haryanto’s theory used in The Meg movie texts namely fully in the TL, there are number of words in the SL less of the
Expansion (2.1%), Paraphrase (21.3%), Transfer (40.6%), TL and vice versa.
Imitation (8.7%), Transcrition (1.0%), Condensation (6.8%),
Decimation (0.7%), Deletion (7.3%), Taming (0.2%), Resignation The following are some preliminaries data found by the
(1.5%) and the researcher found four other types of subtitling researcher by the data source is the subtitling of The Meg
strategies namely Abreviation (0.7%), Dislocation (0.7%), movie, such as:
Culturally (1.5%) and Peyoration (0.2%). This means that the
subtitling strategies that analyzed in the form of the clauses as Data 97
the research data mostly focused on Transfer. SL: Wow, look at that
Keywords—movie; subtitles; subtitling strategies; translation TL: Wah, lihat itu
Data 102
I. INTRODUCTION
SL: Blast
Translation is the replacement of textual material in one
language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another TL: Ledakkan sekarang
language (TL). Translation is reproducing source language in
In the first example, the subtitler changed the word of
equivalent way into target language as close as possible to the
Wow into Wah because adopted when the original employs
original one. Translation itself has always been a central part
some sort of special effect where the translation of the effect is
of the communication between two different languages [1].
more important than the content. It produces a different
Subtitling as the rendering of the verbal message in filmic
expression in the target text that adjusts the contents of the
media in a different language, in the shape of one or more
source text so that it conforms to the target text-language. It is
lines of written text, which are presented on the screen of the
used in connection with metaphorical phenomena.
movie [2].
The last example, the subtitler has giving addition meaning
Subtitling strategies used by subtitler in translating word,
in the target languages which is not existed in SL. The
phrase or speaker’s utterance in audiovisual field. Subtitle
subtitler added the word of sekarang for emphasizing the TL
translation’s aim is to translate a verbal language to written
itself.
and to transfer the information to the viewers in a limited
space [3]. Unlike literally translation, a subtitler (person who This is not the first study in the academic world. There
translate subtitle) needs an excellent listening skill to translate. have been some previous studies conducted by several
Therefore, subtitles can help the audiences learn the foreign researchers related to this research. They are inspiring the
language through a movie. There are many genre of movie can researcher to do a further study about it. Related to this study,
be chosen by the translator to translate the subtitle film. the researchers found some previous researchers in the
journals either national or international which are related to

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eISSN: 2548-4613

the title that is going to be conducted. Some of them discussed Imitation strategies are done by rewriting the source text
about Subtitling Strategies and the others discussed about into target text and maintain the same form. This strategy is
Interlingual Subtitling, Translation Strategies, Subtitle done usually in translating the name of person or the name of
Translation and Strategies used by Subtitler. Other research place.
about subtitling strategies used in the movie [4]. Based on the
phenomena of the journals also examples described above is
the background that encourage the researcher to describe the 5. Transcription
subtitling strategies use in The Meg movie texts. To analyze Transcription is used in those cases where a term is
the subtitling strategies used in The Meg movie, the researcher unusual even in the source text, for example, the use of a third
used theory of subtitling strategies namely expansion, language or nonsense language.
paraphrase, transfer, imitation, transcription, condensation,
decimation, deletion, taming and resignation. 6. Condensation
Based on the problems of the study, the objective of this Condensation is making the text brief to miss unnecessary
study as the following: utterance using the shorter utterance, but it does not lose the
1.To describe the types of subtitling strategies used in The message. Sometimes pragmatic effect can be lost by using
Meg movie texts condensation strategy.
7. Decimation
II. THEORETICAL REVIEW Decimation is an extreme condensation. This strategy is
Subtitling is a type of translation in the conversation from usually used in translating the actor conversation or utterance
the movie that helps the viewers from another languages when they have a quarrel especially when they speak loudly
understand the languages used in the movie easily. It can be and with fast speed.
defined as screen translation. Subtitling can also be defined as
8. Deletion
condensing translations of original dialogue, which appear as
Deletion strategy means some of source texts are deleted
lines of text usually positioned towards the bottom of the
because the translator believes that those parts are not
screen [5]. Subtitling strategies is one of the strategies of
important. Deletion refers to the total elimination parts of a
language transfer in translating type of mass audio visual
text or omitted expression.
communication such as movie, film and television.
Strategies here mean a plan of action designed used by 9. Taming
translator in translating word, phrase, sentences or speakers
Taming strategies is used to translate the rude or taboo
utterances.
words in order to be acceptable in target language.
A. Types of Subtitling Strategies
10. Resignation
Subtitling Strategies are divided into ten types. The
Resignation is done when there is no any solution in
are: expansion, paraphrase, transfer, imitation, transcription,
transferring the message from SL into TL. Automatically, the
condensation, decimation, deletion, taming and resignation[6].
meaning of the source text is not transferred into target
language, or in other word it is untranslatable.
1. Expansion
Expansion means giving addition meaning in the target B. The Meg Movie
language. Meg or The Meg is a new 2018 movie from Hollywood
that used the genre of action, science fiction and thriller. The
2. Paraphrase Meg movie directed by a director named Jon Turteltaub.
Paraphrase is used when the subtitler does not use the While the screenplay script in this movie was written by
same syntactical rules in subtitling the dialogue. In other Belley Avery with Steve Alten. At the beginning of the release
words, the subtitler using this strategy to changes the of the movie The Meg used English as its main language. The
structures of the subtitle and makes it easier to understand and Meg movie was released and aired on August 8, 2018.
readable by the audience. The Meg movie is one of the famous movie in 2018 that
enjoyed by all age circles, from children until adult. This
3. Transfer movie is about the shark namely Megalodon, the largest shark
Transfer strategies are done by translating the source text ever known believed to be extinct for millions of years. The
literally. Transfer refers to the strategy of translating the source language (SL) of this movie is English and the target
source text completely and accurately. There is no added language (TL) is Indonesian. Rizal Adam as the movie
explanation or modifying of view, because the subtitler subtitler applied many types of subtitling strategies in the
translates the dialogue by literal word. subtitles so the viewers can be easily got the idea of each
utterance in the movie.
4. Imitation

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eISSN: 2548-4613

III. METHOD 13. Culturally 6 1.5

Based on the research study and theory, this research was 14. Peyoration 1 0.3
conducted by using descriptive qualitative research method. Total 357 93.3
The researcher used descriptive qualitative method because of
some reasons. First, the data are clauses coming from
documents or key informants. The data which have been Based on the Table IV, fourteenth types of subtitling
gathered are described and suited with the aim of this study. strategies were applied in translating the Indonesia subtitle of
The Meg movie (by emphasized a single strategy) from
Data and Source of Data
English as the source language (SL) into Indonesia as the
The data of this research are translation in micro-units target language (TL) namely Expansion, Paraphrase, Transfer
forms such as clauses of utterances reflecting subtitling Imitation, Transcription, Condensation, Decimation, Deletion,
strategies. Linguistics consists of micro-unit and macro-unit. Taming, Resignation, Abbreviation, Dislocation, Culturally
Micro-unit consists of word, phrase, clause or sentences. and Peyoration. Transfer is the most dominant strategy used
Macro-unit consists of a language or a dialect [7]. The source by the translator. Transfer occurs to the clauses which are fully
of data in this research is parallel corpus consisting of spoken translated completely and accurately by maintaining its
text spoken by the main character namely Jonas Taylor in The structure from SL to TL. It means that it is the most common
Meg Movie published in 8 August, 2018 as the source and easiest strategy that can be applied by the translator before
language (English) and Indonesian subtitling appear in the applying other strategies. This is because transfer strategy
monitor as the target language (Indonesia) from the beginning does not require a higher level of background knowledge from
part until the last of the movie. Based on qualitative research, the translator to spot the difference of meaning equivalence
if the population is less than 30 then all populations can be from SL to TL. Transfer happened because lack of knowledge.
sampled [8]. It means that from 15 characters in the movie, the
1) Expansion
researcher choose all characters in this movie to be analyzed
in this research. The duration of the movie is 155 minutes. Data 189
Those transcripts subtitling (source language and target
language) elaborated into clauses classified into subtitling SL: He closed the hatch
strategies that based on theory of subtitling strategies by TL: Dia menutup pintu palkanya
Haryanto’s (2005).
Based on the data 108, the clause “He closed the hatch”
of source language was translated into “Dia menutup pintu
IV. FINDING AND DISCUSSION
palkanya” in the subtitles of target language. The translator
giving addition meaning in the target language especially in
1. The Types of Subtitling Strategies Used in The Meg Movie the word of “pintu”. the translator applied expansion subtitling
Texts strategy, this strategy applied by translator to gain the
The types of subtitling strategies by Haryanto (2005) were audience comprehension. The word “pintu” is used to explain
used in this research. There were ten tenth subtitling strategies the meaning of hatch in the source language. This utterance
suggested by Haryanto and four other strategies found by the happened when Jonas talks to Suyin that Toshi closed the
researcher in this research, the analysis of the clauses as the hatch and he cannot bring back.
data can be seen in Table IV.
2) Paraphrase
Table IV. Types of Subtitling Strategies
Data 4
No. Types of Subtitling Strategies Frequency Percentages (%)
1. Expansion 8 2.1
SL: I got one more survivor
2. Paraphrase 81 21.3 TL: Ada satu lagi yang selamat
3. Transfer 154 40.6 In data 4 above, the word “I got one more survivor” of
4. Imitation 33 8.7
source language was translated into “Ada satu lagi yang
selamat” in the subtitles of target language. Here, the
5. Transcription 4 1.0 translator was applied the paraphrase subtitling strategy by
6. Condensation 26 6.8 changing the meaning of the subtitle and make the audiences
7. Decimation 3 0.7
understand easily about the context of the movie. This scene
happened when Jonas find his friend in the ship that still alive.
8. Deletion 28 7.3
3) Transfer
9. Taming 1 0.2
10. Resignation 6 1.5
Data 93
11. Abbreviation 3 0.7 SL: You drink too much
12. Dislocation 3 0.7 TL: Kau terlalu banyak minum

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eISSN: 2548-4613

Based on the data 93 above, the translator applied transfer TL: Apa itu?
subtitling strategy. The clause “You drink too much?” of
source language was translated into “Kau terlalu banyak Based on the data 8, the clause “What the hell was that?”
minum?” in the subtitles of target language. Transfer occurred of source language was translated into “Apa itu?” in target
in the class of word. It could be seen that subtitling strategies language. Here, the translator applied decimation subtitling
here was done by translating the source text literally. Transfer strategy by condensing the utterance because the utterances
refers to the strategy of translating the source text completely have difficulty absorbing unstructured written text quickly.
and accurately. This scene happened when Mac talks to Jonas Based on the context of the movie, the actors’ utterance has a
because Jonas was drink too much beer in his hand. quarrel and he speaks loudly and with fast speed. This scene
happened when Jonas ask to his friend about a sound of a
crash outside the ship.
4) Imitation
Data 68 8) Deletion
SL: Jonas said something attacked them Data 66
TL: Jonas bilang sesuatu menyerang mereka SL: Yeah, well, I am not crazy.
Data 68, “Jonas said something attacked them” of TL: Aku tidak gila
source language was translated into “Jonas bilang sesuatu
menyerang mereka” in the subtitles of target language. Based Based on the data 66 above, the clause “Yeah, well, I am
on the data 68 above, imitation subtitling strategies occurred not crazy” of source language was translated into “Aku tidak
in the class of word. It could be seen that subtitling strategies gila” in target language. Deletion subtitling strategy occurred
here was done by rewriting the source text into target text and in the data 66. The word “Yeah, well” in this term was
maintain the same form in translating the name of person that deleted by translator without changing the information to the
is “Jonas”. This scene happened when Mac talks to Doctor audience. In this scene, Jonas talks to everyone that he is not a
Heller about Jonas. crazy guy. He had ever seen the largest shark in the bottom of
the ocean namely Megalodon.
5) Transcription
9) Taming
Data 9
Data 275
SL: You okay, pal?
SL: I am an idiot.
TL: Kau baik-baik saja, kawan?
TL: Aku bodoh
Based on data 9, the clause “You okay, pal?” of source
Based on data 275 above, the clause “I am an idiot” of
language was translated into “Kau baik-baik saja, kawan?” in
subtitles of target language. The translator applied source language was translated into “Aku bodoh” in subtitles
of target language. Taming subtitling strategy occurred in data
transcription subtitling strategy. It could be seen in word
275. Here, the translator was translated the taboo word of
“Pal” which was translated into “kawan”. The word “Pal”
was a third language which was an American word meaning “Idiot” in source language into “bodoh” in target language in
friend. In this scene, Jonas talks to DAngelo about DAngelo order to be acceptable in target language. In this scene Jonas
feeling because something is crushing the hull. talked to himself when he dared to swim into the sea to inject
poison into the Megalodon.
6) Condensation
10) Resignation
Data 85
Data 144
SL: I am so glad I am not crazy
SL: Evolution launch in 15 seconds
TL: Senang aku tidak gila
TL: Peluncuran Evolution 15 detik lagi
Based on the data 85, the clause “I am so glad I am not
crazy” of source language was translated into “Senang aku Based on data 144 above, ”Evolution launch in 15
tidak gila” in subtitles of target language. It could clearly be seconds” of source language was translated into “Peluncuran
seen that the translator used condensation strategy by using Evolution 15 detik lagi” in subtitles of target language. The
shorter utterances and make it condense in target language but translator applied resignation subtitling strategy. It could be
it does not lose the message. seen clearly the meaning of the source language especially in
the word of “Evolution” is not transferred into target language,
7) Decimation or in other word it is untranslatable. This scene happened
when Jaxx to Jonas that the system of Evolution go for
Data 8 descent.
SL: What the hell was that? 11) Abbreviation

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Data 27 occurred in this data. The translator translated the different

meaning in target language especially the phrase of “lost your
SL: It is an honor to meet you, Doctor Zhang
mind” was translated into “gila”. Here, the translator was
TL: Satu kehormatan bertemu denganmu, Dr. Zhang translated the words into worse, rough or has a lower position
than the meaning of the previous word. This scene happened
Based on the data 27, the clauses “It is an honor to meet when Doctor Heller talks to Jonas because Jonas closed the
you, Doctor Zhang” of source language was translated into hatch and some of their friend trapped because the ship that
“Satu kehormatan bertemu denganmu, Dr. Zhang” in target sank on the seabed.
language. The translator applied abbreviation in this data. It
could be seen clearly in word “Doctor Zhang” was translated Having analyzed the data of the research, the findings are
into “Dr. Zhang”. This strategy is done by shortening of word described there are ten types of subtitling strategies based on
especially in the name of someone’s title. This scene happened Haryanto theory in The Meg Movie Texts namely Expansion
when Jonas talks to Doctor Zhang when Doctor Zhang come (2.1%), Paraphrase (21.3%), Transfer (40.6%), Imitation
to his home for not social call. (8.7%), Transcription (1.0%), Condensation (6.8%),
Decimation (0.7%), Deletion (7.3%), Taming (0.2%),
12) Dislocation Resignation (1.5%) and the researcher found four other types
Data 182 of subtitling strategies namely Abbreviation (0.7%),
Dislocation (0.7%), Culturally (1.5) and Peyoration (0.2%).
SL: Ah, that does not look good.
There are some points as the important ones to be
TL: Wah, itu terlihat tak bagus discussed in this research. This research focused on describing
Data 182 above, the clause “Ah, that does not look good” subtitling strategies found in The Meg Movie Texts. Related to
of source language was translated into “Wah, itu terlihat tak the types of subtitling strategies, this research used Haryanto
bagus” in target language. Dislocation subtitling strategy theory to determine the types of subtitling strategies. The
occurred in this data. The translator translated the different researcher collected, analyzed and compared subtitling
expression in target language especially in the word of “Ah” strategies and its translation which are shown in The Meg
was translated into “Wah”. In this scene, Jonas talks to Lori if Movie Texts. Then, the researcher described types of subtitling
the Megalodon hits them while they were still attached then strategies and gives its analysis of each sample. The
they were all gonna die. classification of types of subtitling strategies and this study
focuses on describing the subtitling strategies used in
13) Culturally translating English language into Bahasa Indonesia in
Data 181 subtitles. This study used Haryanto theory. The translator or
subtitler applied transfer because in general, the transfer
SL: 10 miles, it is still with us strategy translated by is a translated by which priorities the
equivalent of word or expression in the TL or in expression
TL: Sudah 16 km, tapi dia masih mengejar kita
that have a reference or meaning of the same word or
Data 181 above, the clause “10 miles, it is still with us” of expression in the SL and transfer strategies are done by
source language was translated into “Sudah 16 km, tapi dia translating the source text literally. Transfer refers to the
masih mengejar kita” in subtitles of target language. The strategy of translating the source text completely and
translator applied culturally subtitling strategy. Here, the accurately. There is no added explanation or modifying of
translator translated the word of “10 miles” into “16 km” view, because the subtitler or translator translates the dialogue
based on the context of culturally especially in Indonesia by literal word. In addition, the usage of this strategy also
context. It means that 1 mile equals 1.60934 kilometer. So, 10 maintains the structure of the original text.
miles times 1.60934 equals 16 kilometer. Beside the subtitling
strategy, there was other strategies occurred from source ACKNOWLEDGMENT
language “10 miles” were translated into target language
become “16 km” were called abbreviation of subtitling R. B. G. thanks goes to her two beloved advisors, Dr.
strategies. In this scene Jonas talks to his friend that the Rahmad Husein, M. Ed as her first advisor and Prof. Dr.
Megalodon still chasing after them even though the distance is Zainuddin, M. Hum as her second advisor for their all
16 km. guidance, assistant, encouragement and valuable suggestions
through the completion of this research.
14) Peyoration
Data 16 REFERENCES
[1] J.C. Catford, ”A Linguistic Theory of Translation”, London:Oxford
SL: You have lost your mind! University Press, 1965
TL: Kau sudah gila! [2] H. Gottlieb, “Subtitles, Translation & Idioms”, Copenhagen: Centre for
Translation Studies, University of Copenhagen, 1997
Based on data 16 above, the clause “You have lost your [3] H. Gottlieb, “Subtitling – A New University Discipline,” In: Dollerup,
mind!” of source language was translated into “Kau sudah 1992
gila!” in target language. Peyoration subtitling strategy

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[4] D. Kusumawardani, 2017” Analysis of Subtitling Strategies used in [6] S. Haryanto, “ Subtitling: Collection of International Conference on
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Surakarta, 2017 Pascasarjana: UNS, 2005
[5] Gilbert, “ Dubbing and Subtitling in World Context,” Hong Kong: The [7] B. Spolsky, “Sociolinguistics,” Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014
Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009 [8] J.T. Roscoe, “Fundamental Research Statistic for the Behavioral
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1975

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