Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Indonesian term or phrase:
geladag
English translation:
immoral and unethical
Added to glossary by
Catherine Muir
Nov 3, 2011 06:06
12 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Indonesian term
geladag
Indonesian to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
early 20th C. Indonesian novel in Malay lingua franca
A long-time trusted employee of a Central Java sugar mill is retiring. The mill offers to buy all his property, including fields, oxen, carts, buildings etc because it is all essential to the mill's operations. A committee inspects and values everything and makes him a fair offer, which he accepts. However, the mill owner -- a nasty Dutch woman -- is angry that he's been paid so much and calls him a 'geladag'. Sample sentences in which the word is used include the mill owner's accusation, "Saya pikir dia sudah mencuri dari pabrik, itu geladag!" and the administrator's reply, "Saya berani katakan, mandor Joyo jauh dari pantaran geladag, jauh dari perbuatan mencuri atau menipu."
I think 'geladag' means someone who is money-grubbing, who seeks to get more than he deserves, who outsmarts and bilks others. What do you think?
I think 'geladag' means someone who is money-grubbing, who seeks to get more than he deserves, who outsmarts and bilks others. What do you think?
Proposed translations
(English)
3 | uncivilized | ErichEko ⟹⭐ |
4 | riff raff, common criminal | Budi Suryadi- |
3 | low-life | Vincentius Mariatmo |
3 | crook/criminal | Hengky Chiok |
Proposed translations
54 mins
Selected
uncivilized
The word geladag is an adjective, not a noun. The phrase "Itu geladag" just means it is considered to be unethical or immoral rather than illegal (although stealing is almost always illegal, except in, perhaps, a basketball game).
To say "jauh dari pantaran geladag" is the same as, IMO, to say that the person was not of lowly morality so as to steal from the person that employed him.
All in all, I believe geladag refers more to morality and ethics.
Note from asker:
Thanks, Erich. This Dutch lady is very rough in her speech. I think she'd say it was immoral or unethical, rather than uncivilized. Very insightful of you. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I think 'immoral and unethical' is a good choice in this instance, so that's what I'll use. Many thanks, especially for pointing out the grammar."
17 mins
low-life
It's quite hard to translate this term into English, as it is rarely used in daily conversation.
From the source that I found below, it can be roughly translated into "low-life" or "not praiseworthy".
Hope that helps you ^^
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Note added at 20 mins (2011-11-03 06:27:18 GMT)
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Not to be confused with the word "geladak" (ship's deck), or "Gladag" (a place in Solo, Central Java).
To be honest, we (Indonesian people) often got mixed up in writing the term "geladak" and "geladag" :P
From the source that I found below, it can be roughly translated into "low-life" or "not praiseworthy".
Hope that helps you ^^
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Note added at 20 mins (2011-11-03 06:27:18 GMT)
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Not to be confused with the word "geladak" (ship's deck), or "Gladag" (a place in Solo, Central Java).
To be honest, we (Indonesian people) often got mixed up in writing the term "geladak" and "geladag" :P
Example sentence:
Istilah perempuan geladag, perempuan jalanan, perempuan nakal, perempuan jalan, semua memiliki makna yang sama dengan pelacur.
26 mins
crook/criminal
Try "crook" or "criminal." Kayaknya lebih cocok dengan konteks.
Usually "geladak" is used with "anjing" where "anjing geladak" indicates "stray dogs" and hence, tend to steal their food.
My 2 cents.
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Note added at 29 mins (2011-11-03 06:36:12 GMT)
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Check this out too: http://www.kamus.com/may-eng/geladak kapal where "geladak" means "criminal."
Usually "geladak" is used with "anjing" where "anjing geladak" indicates "stray dogs" and hence, tend to steal their food.
My 2 cents.
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Note added at 29 mins (2011-11-03 06:36:12 GMT)
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Check this out too: http://www.kamus.com/may-eng/geladak kapal where "geladak" means "criminal."
Reference:
Note from asker:
Thanks, Hengky. Re 'anjing geladak', in US English, it would be a 'junkyard dog'. |
7 hrs
riff raff, common criminal
There's an Indonesian feature film titled "Anjing-anjing Geladak" (1972)(notice the spelling of the word). It depicts the life of common criminals, low ranking sailors living near the harbour, and other riff raff.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2011-11-03 13:52:27 GMT)
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The word Anjing in Indonesian has a negative connotation, and in conversation it is one of the crudest ways to insult a human being. FOr that reason, the pairing of ANJING with GELADAK (or geladag) adds emphasis to its derogatory meaning.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2011-11-03 13:52:27 GMT)
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The word Anjing in Indonesian has a negative connotation, and in conversation it is one of the crudest ways to insult a human being. FOr that reason, the pairing of ANJING with GELADAK (or geladag) adds emphasis to its derogatory meaning.
Reference:
http://filmindonesia.or.id/movie/title/lf-a020-72-000359/anjing-anjing-geladak#.TrKbRrIVTt8
Discussion
Geladak dalam bahasa Inggris nya deck adalah lantai kapal , nama – nama geladak ini tergantung dari banyaknya geladak yang ada dikapal ...
2 KB (252 kata) - 5 Agustus 2011 10.54