Translation Techniques in The Indonesian Version of “The Midnight Library” By Matt Haig

Abstract

This study examines the translation techniques used in the Indonesian version of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, translated as Perpustakaan Tengah Malam by Dharmawati. The research aims to identify the dominant translation techniques and explain the reason for the dominance using the framework proposed by Molina and Albir. A qualitative method was employed to analyze 140 phrases and sentences taken from Chapters One and Two of the novel. The findings reveal that 10 translation techniques were used: modulation (35.7%, 50 occurrences), literal translation (25.7%, 36 occurrences), linguistic amplification (9.2%, 13 occurrences), established equivalent (7.8%, 11 occurrences), borrowing (6.4%, 9 occurrences), transposition (6.4%, 9 occurrences), adaptation (3.5%, 5 occurrences), reduction (2.1%, 3 occurrences), discursive creation (1.4%, 2 occurrences), and linguistic compression (1.4%, 2 occurrences). Modulation emerged as the most dominant technique. Its frequent use reflects the translator’s strategy to shift perspectives or cognitive categories in order to render abstract or culturally loaded expressions into natural, emotionally resonant language suitable for Indonesian readers.