THE UNNATURALNESS OF THE TRANSLATION OF INDONESIAN TOURIST RESORTS SIGNS INTO ENGLISH IN PARAPAT AND BUKIT LAWANG

This research deals with the common phenomenon unnatural translations in public
signs of tourist resorts in Parapat and Bukit Lawang. The objectives of this study
are: (1) to find out the unnatural Indonesian-English translation of public signs at
the two tourist resorts (Parapat and Bukit Lawang); (2) to find out the causes of
the unnatural Indonesian-English translation; (3) to find out the suitable
techniques to avoid the unnatural Indonesian-English translation. This research
applies qualitative research design. The data are collected from observation by
taking pictures. The findings of this study show that: (1) There are only five fields
of unnatural translation found both in Parapat ad Bukit Lawang; (2). The
unnatural translations occur because of insufficient language competence and
target language competence of the writer; (3). There are three techniques used to
aboid unnatural translations, such as (1) transposition; (2) naturalisation; (3)
cultural equivalent.