ANALYSIS OF TRANSLATION SHIFT IN THE LYRICS OF INDONESIA RAYA 3 STANZAS ENGLISH VERSION

Nurhakiki, Ahmad (2026) ANALYSIS OF TRANSLATION SHIFT IN THE LYRICS OF INDONESIA RAYA 3 STANZAS ENGLISH VERSION. Undergraduate thesis, UIN Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember.

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Abstract

Keywords: Indonesia raya, J.c. catford, lyric translation, national anthem,
translation shift.
The three-stanza anthem Indonesia Raya represents Indonesia's spiritual and
historical identity. Translating it into English is crucial for cultural diplomacy, but
typological differences between Indonesian and English pose linguistic challenges.
This necessitates translation shifts to ensure singability without compromising its
sacred meaning.
This study focuses on analyzing linguistic shifts in the English translation
of the three stanzas of the song Indonesia Raya. This study aims to answer two main
research questions: (1) What types of translation shifts occur based on J.C. Catford’s
theory (1965)? and (2) How and why do these shifts occur between the original
lyrics and their translation? This investigation is conducted to understand the
dynamics of structural and semantic changes within the lyrics.
This study used a descriptive qualitative method. The data were taken from
the official YouTube video containing the complete lyrics of Indonesia Raya 3
stanzas and their English translations. This study applied J.C. Catford’s (1965)
theory of translation shifts. The data were analyzed by identifying the translation
shifts found in the lyrics using the Interactive Analysis Model.
Findings revealed 46 translation shifts: Structure Shift (22), Unit Shift (10),
Class Shift (8), Level Shift (3), and Intra-system Shift (3). Eight lines had No Shift,
preserving sacred terms like Indonesia Raya and Merdeka. Analysis indicates these
shifts are strategic adaptations, not errors. To align with musical rhythm, static
Indonesian nominal structures were transformed into active English verbs and
clauses. By prioritizing rhythmic harmony and dynamic ideological projection over
literal translation, these structural shifts prove essential in making the anthem an
effective instrument of global cultural diplomacy.

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