Translation Technique in the Subtitle of the Movie “Dilan 1990” From Indonesian in to English

Abstract

This study examines the translation techniques used in the English subtitles of the Indonesian film "Dilan 1990" by applying Molina and Albir’s (2002) classification. The research aims to identify the dominant translation techniques and to assess the accuracy of the subtitles. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, the data were collected from the original Indonesian dialogues and their corresponding English subtitles, focusing on lines rich in idiomatic expressions, slang, and cultural references. The findings show that seven translation techniques are utilized: established equivalence (69.5%), borrowing (19.1%), amplification (10.6%), reduction (2.1%), with literal translation, modulation, and adaptation each used less than 1%. Established equivalence and borrowing dominate, reflecting the translator’s effort to use natural English expressions while preserving Indonesian names and cultural elements. Amplification is used to clarify Indonesian-specific content, while reduction occurs due to space constraints typical in subtitles. The accuracy analysis based on Nababan et al. (2012) indicates that 61.3% of subtitle lines are fully accurate, 33.8% less accurate (minor omissions or tone shifts), and 4.9% inaccurate (significant changes or omissions). The study concludes that the subtitle translation successfully maintains the core message and cultural nuances, though minor meaning loss occurs, especially with slang or culturally bound expressions. These results contribute to audiovisual translation research and provide practical guidance for translators working on culturally rich Indonesian films destined for international audiences.