Translation Equivalence of Political Satire on Social Media: Linguistic and Cultural Challenges in a Global Context

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the translation of satire from Indonesian into English, focusing on four key aspects: meaning equivalence, emotional effects, acceptability and clarity, as well as language style and cultural nuances. The research employs a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, where translation data from various sources containing social and political satire are analysed.  The findings reveal that dynamic equivalence is more frequently used by translators in translating satire, as it preserves the meaning and cultural relevance without compromising clarity. Emotional effects such as humour, sarcasm, and irony are largely maintained, although some elements of satire may be lost in translation. In terms of acceptability and clarity, translations using metaphors and universal phrases are more easily understood by international audiences. However, certain local references require adjustments to be more comprehensible. The use of sharp and direct language style effectively retains the satirical meaning in the translation. Based on these findings, it is recommended that translators pay closer attention to idiomatic adjustments and cultural references to enhance the acceptability of translated satirical texts.