UNVEILING MULTIPLE MEANINGS OF THE INDONESIAN POEM MENUMBANGKAN POHON BERINGIN AND ITS ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the meanings embedded in the Indonesian poem, Menumbangkan Pohon Beringin, by Heru Joni Putra (source text-ST), and its English translation, Felling a Banyan Tree, by George A. Fowler (target text-TT). Employing a qualitative approach, both texts were examined through the lens of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) developed by Halliday (1925-2018). SFL sees every clause as having three strands of meanings simultaneously, namely experiential, interpersonal, and textual meanings, analyzed through transitivity, mood, and thematic structures, respectively. The study found that both texts frequently employ material Processes, declarative moods, and particular topical and textual Themes, reflecting a focus on collective participation and material actions, an authoritative tone, and an explicit dialogic orientation, respectively. Although such grammatical and semantic characteristics appear across both ST and TT, this study highlights some translation-related considerations in terms of semantic modulation and (in)definiteness. This study gives insight into poetry translation theoretically and practically, particularly involving Indonesian and English. The multiple meanings unveiled in the poems in this study are not meant to be exhaustive, as poetry invites infinite readings. Consequently, the poem should be examined not only at the surface level but also through a deeper lens. Thus, various approaches, including the linguistic perspective employed in this study, are valuable for uncovering its potential meanings.

Keywords

• mood
• multiple meaning
• poetry
• sfl
• thematic
• transitivity
• translation