Comparative Analysis of Translation Techniques and Quality of the Verbal Irony Words and Phrases in George Orwell's Novel “1984”

This research investigates the translation techniques and quality of verbal irony in George Orwell’s 1984, comparing two Indonesian translations by Wijaya (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2022) and Simatupang (Bentang Pustaka, 2024). The objective is to examine how each translator rendered verbal irony and how their techniques affected the overall quality and readability. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, the study is conducted as a case study incorporating content analysis and focus group discussion. A total of 46 instances of verbal irony were analyzed. The findings reveal that Wijaya applied seven translation techniques, with literal translation being the most dominant, reflecting a domesticating approach. Other techniques used include modulation, calque, pure borrowing, amplification, reduction, and naturalized borrowing. In contrast, Simatupang utilized nine techniques, predominantly calque, indicating a more foreignizing strategy. The remaining techniques are literal translation, modulation, amplification, adaptation, reduction, pure borrowing, naturalized borrowing, and established equivalent. Readability was evaluated by 17 readers of 1984, with Wijaya’s version scoring slightly higher (2.55) compared to the one by Simatupang (2.50), suggesting that a domesticated approach may enhance reader comprehension. This study contributes to translation studies by highlighting reader preferences regarding translation techniques, particularly in rendering verbal irony in literary texts.