Mapping the Techniques: A Systemic Literature Review of English to Indonesian Translation Practices

This study presents a systematic literature review of research on translation techniques employed in translating texts from English into Indonesian, focusing on articles published between 2020 and 2025. A total of 30 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed to identify dominant translation techniques, their application across different text types, and the theoretical frameworks guiding these studies. The results indicate that literal translation is the most commonly used technique, particularly in academic, legal, and news texts where fidelity to the source is prioritized. In contrast, modulation, transposition, and adaptation frequently appear in literary and audiovisual translations to accommodate linguistic and cultural differences. While many studies refer to established taxonomies such as those by Molina and Albir (2002) and Vinay and Darbelnet (1995), few engage deeply with broader translation theories. Additionally, formal translation quality assessment (TQA) methods are underutilized, limiting evaluative insights into the effectiveness of different techniques. The review reveals a fragmented research landscape that largely focuses on descriptive analysis rather than comparative or theory-driven approaches. This study highlights the need for future research to incorporate stronger theoretical foundations and robust evaluation models to enhance translation quality and advance academic understanding. The findings also underscore the importance of considering text type and cultural context in translation practice, offering valuable implications for translators, educators, and researchers working in the English–Indonesian language pair.