PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

This research explores the challenges of translating English onomatopoeia into Indonesian, where literal translations often fail to capture the intended meaning, cultural context, and auditory nuances. Existing translation studies seldom address the unique characteristics of onomatopoeia, creating a gap in developing effective and culturally appropriate translation methods. To bridge this gap, the study proposes a prototype model for translating English onomatopoeia into Indonesian using localization strategies. These strategies adapt onomatopoeic expressions to fit the linguistic and cultural context of the target language, ensuring that the translations preserve their auditory effects and resonate with Indonesian speakers. The novelty of the research lies in the creation of a manual for translating onomatopoeia based on localization strategies, designed to be a practical tool for translators and researchers. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method with triangulation techniques, incorporating data from questionnaires, document analysis, and focus group discussions with linguists and translation experts. This approach deepens the understanding of both languages and enhances the development of effective localization strategies. The resulting manual prototype aims to address the existing research gap and serve as a valuable resource for both academic and practical applications in translation studies.