EBONY
Vol 5 No 2 (2025): EBONY- Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature

An Analysis of Wordplay and Idiom Translation in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets into Indonesian

Fauzi, Florence Angelaila (Unknown)
Hamid, Faishal Hamdan Syakirin (Unknown)
Syahid, Abdul (Unknown)
Fauzi, Iwan (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the translation of wordplay and idioms in Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets into Indonesian, highlighting the linguistic and cultural challenges inherent in translating creative language. Utilizing Delabastita’s (1993) typology for wordplay and Baker’s (2017) strategies for idioms, the research employs a qualitative comparative method. Findings reveal that wordplay is predominantly paraphrased (66.7%), often resulting in diminished humor and stylistic nuance, while idioms are largely translated literally (55.6%), occasionally producing unnatural phrasing. Nonetheless, successful cultural substitutions—such as rendering “a load of rubbish” as “omong kosong besar”—demonstrate effective dynamic equivalence. The study underscores the tension between maintaining textual fidelity and achieving cultural accessibility, offering practical insights for translators working with fantasy literature and linguistically inventive texts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ebony

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

EBONY aims at promoting research and non-research articles in English language teaching, linguistics, and literature; an open access English language journal published biannually in January and July by English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of the University of ...