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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Research

One of the foreign languages which is studied and learnt in Indonesia is

English. Commonly, it is studied not only to help the students or learners to master

this language in oral and written but also to comprehend the books, magazines,

newspapers and other information sources which are written in English. Students

have to study this language because it has been a part of curriculum in school or

university. So that, one of problems faced by Indonesian students in studying English

is dealing with translation.

Although translation is very difficult to do, it is still done because of its

importance for human beings whose mother tongue is not English. Without

translation, the information, technology and so forth can’t be transferred into the

target language. Newmark (1988:8) says that translation is an activity of enormous

importance in the modern world and it is a subject of interest not only to linguist,

professional and amateur translators and language teachers, but also to electronic

engineers and mathematicians.

Translation activity has one or more specific purposes and whichever they

may be, the main aim of translation is to serve as a cross-cultural bilingual

communication vehicle among peoples, and also most translation theorists agreed

that translation is understood as a transfer process from a foreign language – or a

second language – to the mother tongue. However, market requirements are

increasingly demanding that translators transfer texts to a target language that is not
their mother tongue, but a foreign language.

The difficulties of teaching translation were mostly discussed and described

in terms of stylistic, namely, how to be “true” or “faithful” to the original text.

Richard (2002:19) stresses: “Different views of language teaching lead to different

views as to what the essential skills of teaching are, and to different approaches to

the preparation of teachers”. Smith (1996:35) also states that the success of failure of

the teaching language program is often evaluated from the method used by teacher,

because it is the method that determines that material and the way of teaching a

language.

The above statements emphasize that the using of method is an important key

toward a successful teaching. I have chosen to discuss one aspect of English

teaching-learning that deals with translation. That is using demonstration as a

technique in improving the students’ ability in translating from English into

Indonesia. And it is hoped that the result of this investigation can help teachers and

students of English.

Jacobson (2005:34) says that:

“Demonstration method uses the demonstration or “doing” method to

teach skills. Demonstrate, step-by-step the procedures in a job task,
using the exact physical procedures if possible. While demonstrating,
explain the reason for and the significance of each step. To be
effective, plan the demonstration so that you will be sure to show the
steps in the proper sequence and to include all steps. If you must give
the demonstration before a large group or if the trainees might have
trouble seeing because of the size of the equipment involved, you
should use enlarged devices or training aids. When practical, allow
trainees to repeat the procedure in a “hands on” practice session to
reinforce the learning process. By immediately correcting the trainees’
mistakes and reinforcing proper procedures, you can help them learn
the task more quickly. The direct demonstration approach is a
very effective method of instruction, especially when trainees have the
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opportunity to repeat the procedures”.

The demonstration technique in teaching translation gives the advantages for

it appeals to more sense including the sense of sight. When the teacher demonstrates

an action he may express the verb and this action appeals to the students ears. The

translation taught in this way hopefully make the students motivated and interesting

in studying English translation.

1.2 Problem of the Research

The problems of this research are in the following:

1. Can the third year students of SMP N 2 Peusangan improve their

ability in translation when the teacher uses demonstration as a

technique in the teaching and learning process?

2. What are the advantages of using demonstration as a technique in the

teaching and learning process translation to the third year students of

SMP N 2 Peusangan?

1.3 Purpose of the Research

The purposes of this research are in the following:

1. To know if the third year students of SMP N 2 Peusangan can improve their

translation ability when the teacher uses demonstration as a technique in the

teaching and learning process.

2. To find out the advantages of using demonstration as a technique in teaching

and learning process translation to the third year students of SMP N 2

Peusangan.
1.4 Significance of the Research

This study is hope can give meaningful knowledge both for theoretical and

practical concerns. Theoretically, the study gives reasonable benefit in describing the

mastering of translation ability through demonstration as a technique, especially to

the third year students of SMP N 2 Peusangan. Practically, the finding of the research

is expected to the teacher can give a priority measures in teaching translation.

Meanwhile for the students, they are hoped to be able to improve their translation

ability through demonstration as a technique so that they can translate any text in

English into Indonesian.

1.5 Scope of the Research

The scope of the study is on teaching translation through demonstration as a

technique at SMP N 2 Peusangan. The writer wants to know whether the

demonstration technique has the better effect in mastering translation, especially

translating English into Indonesian. The writer focused on noun and verb in the text

that can be demonstrated. The texts on which the writer chooses are based on the

students’ textbook of the third grade of Junior High School.

1.6 Definition of the Key Terms

In this thesis, the writer gives some explanation about a few key terms. These

key terms’ function is to make the reader understand exactly about a few words or

phrases.

“Demonstration Technique” is an activity that needs special skill in which the

instructor gives an oral presentation or subject matter while showing object, action,
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and demonstration implies action or physical and process” (Donn Byrn, 1992:188).

In this research, this technique was implemented by the researcher to improve the

translation ability of the third year students of SMP N 2 Peusangan.

“Translation” is the process of putting something written or spoken into a different

language. (Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary, 2003: 460). In this research, it means

the process of translating the English written text into Indonesian.

“Classroom Action Research” is a form of reflective research that is conducted by

teacher which its result can be used as a tool to improve the teaching and learning

(McNiff, 1992:1 in Asrori, 2008:4). In this study, the researcher implements this kind

of research to improve the translation teaching and learning process of third year

students of SMP N 2 Peusangan.