ANALYZING TRANSLATION METHODS IN SONG LYRICS “STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN” BY LED ZEPPELIN FROM ENGLISH TO INDONESIA (A Qualitative Study of English Education Department Students)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the translation methods used in translating the lyrics of the song “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin from English to Indonesian. Conducted as a descriptive study, this study involved sixth-semester students of the English Language Education Department at the Islamic University of Malang.

This study examines various translation strategies used by students, evaluating how accurately the original meaning, cultural nuances, and poetic elements are conveyed in the translated lyrics. The data were collected through an online student translation test. The translation method proposed by Newmark (1988) was used as the framework for this study, followed by analysis to categorize the most widely used translation methods. The data analysis process included data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions and verification.

The findings of the study indicate that there are four types out of eight translation methods used by sixth-semester students, namely literal translation, semantic translation, adapted translation, and free translation. Moreover, literal and semantic are indicated as the most effective methods determined by sixth-semester students to translate literary texts. Furthermore, this study underlines the importance of balancing fidelity to the original text with the need to adapt the translation to the cultural context of the target language. The results provide insights into the effectiveness of different translation methods in educational settings and suggest areas for further improvement in translation teaching practices.