THE STRUCTURE OF THEME AND RHEME IN CHILDREN’S STORY: A CASE STUDY OF JAVANESE TO INDONESIAN TRANSLATION

Abstract

In translation process, maintaining the theme-rheme structure of the original text is essential to ensure that the translated text remains coherent and retains its original impact. This study aims to observe the structure of theme and rheme in Javanese children’s story and its translation into Indonesian. This research applies Systemic Functional Linguistics theory by Halliday as the theoretical framework. Therefore, the research tries to examine how thematic organization is maintained or altered during the translation process. The research was conducted using qualitative research with a case study approach. The data were taken from bilingual children’s story book entitled Eh, Mecothot published by Kemendikbudristek and issued by Language Centre, Central Java in 2023. The analysis focuses on the types of themes such as topical, textual, or interpersonal theme. The data were then analysed using four step: (1) data reduction, (2) data display, (3) data analysis, and (4) conclusion. The result of the analysis showed that themes found in the story are marked and unmarked topical theme, interpersonal theme, and textual theme. The theme is still maintained in its Indonesian translation and only a few which is shifted in the translation result. The shift is found from unmarked topical theme into interpersonal theme. The shift is happened due to differences in the language structure and communicative preferences in Javanese and Indonesian languages. The study contributes to the understanding of how translation mediates the theme and rheme in the story, offering insights into the challenges of translating children’s literature.