Strategies in English to Malay Translation of Metaphor, Hyperbole, and Imagery in Selected Passages of the Novel The Fault in Our Stars

Abstract

Figurative language, including metaphor, hyperbole, and imagery enriches literary narratives by adding depth and nuance. Translating such figurative expressions poses significant challenges due to the implicit and culturally rooted meanings they often convey. This study analyzes the strategies used in the English-to-Malay translation of selected passages from John Green's novel ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by employing a descriptive qualitative approach. The research adopts the translation techniques framework proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet (1995), examining how these methods facilitate the transfer of meaning and stylistic effect from source to target text. Findings reveal that mainly literal translation and borrowing are used to render figurative language in the Malay version of the novel, with less frequent use of modulation and transposition. The study underscores the importance of choosing appropriate translation methods tailored to the figurative device and cultural context to preserve the intended meaning and sense. These insights have some implications for translators working on English-to-Malay literary texts and contribute to the broader understanding of translation strategies in figurative language transfer.