The Translation of Controversial News: Examining Human Rights Violations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar

Authors

  • Yunita Widiyantari Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2642-9088
  • M.R Nababan Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta
  • Djatmika Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta
  • Riyadi Santosa Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i10.18692

Keywords:

translation techniques, controversial news, human rights, FIFA World Cup 2022, media translation

Abstract

This study investigates the translation of controversial news texts regarding human rights violations during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with a focus on the treatment of migrant workers. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzes English and Indonesian news texts to identify key controversies, translation practices, and the impact of untranslated content. The findings reveal that human rights concerns were a central theme, with translators frequently using the “established equivalent” technique to ensure clarity and accuracy. However, instances of untranslated content led to cognitive, emotional, and social impacts, including confusion and reduced trust in the media. This study highlights the importance of careful translation in controversial contexts to promote accurate and nuanced reporting, ensuring enhanced public understanding of global socio-cultural issues and emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of translators in cross-cultural news dissemination.

References

Deseret News. American views on Qatar hosting World Cup [Internet]. Salt Lake City: Deseret News; 2022 Dec 6 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Avail- able from: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2022/12/6/23494842/american-views- on-qatar-hosting-world-cup

Reuters. Qatar World Cup workers’ rights issues highlighted [Internet]. New York: Reuters; 2022 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.reuters.com

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Migrant worker conditions in Qatar ahead of World Cup [Internet]. London: BBC; 2022 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com

Tempo. Controversies surrounding Qatar’s World Cup preparations [Internet]. Jakarta: Tempo; 2022 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.tempo.co

Liputan6. Human rights issues in Qatar’s World Cup [Internet]. Jakarta: Liputan6; 2022 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.liputan6.com

Smith J. Controversial issues in modern journalism. London: NewsWorld Publications; 2020.

Jones P. Media and public controversies: Exploring the polarizing impact of news reporting. London: Media Press; 2019.

Taylor L. Reporting conflict: how news media handles controversies. J Media Stud. 2021;34(2):112–30.

Vocabulary.com. Controversial - Definition, meaning & syn- onyms [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/controversial

Merriam-Webster. Controversy: Definition & meaning [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy

Collins English Dictionary. CONTROVERSIAL definition and meaning [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/controversial

Tartory R. Critical discourse analysis of online publications ideology: A case of Middle Eastern online publications. SAGE Open. 2020;10(3):1–14.

Kamal M, Syafri H, Rahmanti N. The imbalance attitude of the journalists in chemical castration texts: an SFL critical discourse analysis. Humaniora. 2017;29(3):330–42.

Fairclough N. Discourse and social change. Cambridge: Polity Press; 1993.

Van Dijk TA. Discourse, knowledge, power and politics: Towards critical epistemic discourse analysis. London: SAGE Publications; 2005.

Richardson JE. Analysing newspapers: An approach from critical discourse analysis. New York: Palgrave Macmillan; 2006.

Guangjun X, Huanyao X. Translating political ideology: A case study of the Chinese translations of the English news headlines concerning South China Sea disputes on the website of ftchinese.com. Babel. 2015;61(3):394–410.

Wodak R, Meyer M. Methods of critical discourse analysis. London: SAGE Publications; 2001. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857028020.

Boéri J, Fattah A. Manipulation of translation in hard news reporting on the Gulf Crisis: combining narrative and appraisal. New Contexts Discourse Analysis for Translation and Interpretation. 2020;65(1):1–18.

Zeng W, Li D. Presenting China’s image through the translation of comments: A case study of the WeChat subscription account of Reference News. Perspect Stud Transl Theory Pract [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Feb 12];29(4):523–39. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676X.2021.1960397.

Khuzaini. Characteristics of controversy in media discourse. J Media Commun Stud. 2016;8(3):45–59.

Prihantoro. Analisis wacana pemberitaan selebriti pada media online. Prosiding Pesat. 2013;5:52–70.

Easy Llama. Status quo [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.easyllama.com/definitions/status-quo

Santosa R. Metode penelitian kebahasaan. Surakarta: UNS Press; 2017.

Cangara H. Pengantar ilmu komunikasi. Jakarta: PT Raja Grafindo Persada; 2002.

McQuail D. McQuail’s mass communication theory. 6th ed. London: SAGE Publications; 2010.

Newmark P. A textbook of translation. London: Prentice Hall International Ltd; 1988.

Nida EA, Taber CR. The theory and practice of translation. Leiden: BRILL; 1982. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004669147.

Molina L, Hurtado Albir A. Translation techniques revisited: A dynamic and functionalist approach [Internet]. Meta. 2002;47(4):498–512. [cited 2024 Feb 12]

Creswell JW. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications; 1998.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-16

How to Cite

Widiyantari, Y., Nababan, M. ., Djatmika, & Santosa, R. (2025). The Translation of Controversial News: Examining Human Rights Violations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar . KnE Social Sciences, 10(10), 432–448. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i10.18692