PHONOLOGICAL ADAPTATION PATTERNS IN BORROWING TRANSLATION PROCEDURES IN THE SUBTITLES OF ‘ONWARD’ (2020)

Abstract

This research analyzes the patterns of phonological adaptation in borrowing translation procedures found in the Indonesian subtitles of the animated movie "Onward" (2020). Using a qualitative descriptive method, this study examines 13 naturalized borrowing words based on the theoretical frameworks of translation procedures by Molina and Albir (2002) and phonetic assimilation by Hock (2021). The analysis, supported by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), reveals systematic phonological adaptation patterns aimed at integrating English words into the Indonesian sound system. The findings indicate several recurring patterns, including: (1) vowel substitution, where English vowels not present in Indonesian are replaced with the closest available sounds (e.g., /ʌ/ → /i/ in bus → bis); (2) consonant devoicing, where voiced consonants are changed to their voiceless counterparts (e.g., /z/ → /s/ in music → musik); (3) simplification of consonant clusters (e.g., /kt/ → /k/ in object → obyek); and (4) vowel epenthesis, or the addition of a final vowel to conform to Indonesian syllable structures (e.g., police → polisi). These patterns demonstrate a consistent process of phonetic assimilation that makes borrowed words more pronounceable and natural for the Indonesian audience.Keyterms: Phonological Adaptation, Borrowing, Subtitling, Translation Procedures, Onward.