Translation of Idiomatic Expressions in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” And Its Indonesian Version “Gadis-Gadis March”

Idiomatic expressions are unique linguistic elements that convey figurative meanings and cultural nuances, making their translation a complex task in maintaining both meaning and naturalness. This study aims to analyze the translation of idiomatic expressions in Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women and its Indonesian version, focusing on the types of idioms, translation strategies, equivalence, and the reasons behind the translator’s choices. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the research analyzed 240 idiomatic expressions based on McCarthy and O’Dell’s (2002) classification, Baker’s (1992) translation strategies, Nida’s (1964) equivalence theory, and Chesterman’s (1997) translation norms. The results show that verb phrase idioms are the most dominant category (33%), followed by compound idioms (20%) and clause/sentence idioms (18%).
The most frequently applied strategy is using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form (39%), followed by similar meaning and form (35%), paraphrase (22%), and omission (4%). Furthermore, dynamic equivalence (62%) is more dominant than formal equivalence (38%), indicating that the translator prioritizes readability and cultural adaptation. The translator’s decisions are mainly influenced by relationship norms (41%) and responsibility norms (35%), showing a clear effort to balance accuracy and communicative effectiveness. In conclusion, the translation of idioms in Little Women reflects a dynamic and reader-centered process that successfully preserves the warmth, realism, and moral depth of the original novel.