Catherine Muir Aug 6, 2012:

In America and countries that use US... ... English, yes, but in UK English countries, definitely not.

Ahmad Ridwan Munib (asker) Aug 6, 2012:

Thank you for your suggestion. I think the selected suggestion is not totally wrong. But according to David Anderson it is more natural, especially in American. And also, I used the suggestion as like this, "SMP Negeri 1 (Public Junior High School 1)," as given by Rosmelian Siagian.

Catherine Muir Aug 6, 2012:

I agree... ...and DEFINITELY NOT 'Public Junior High School'! I hope the asker of the question is reading this discussion and revises his translation accordingly.

Eddie R. Notowidigdo Aug 6, 2012:

Thank you Catherine. There's a possibility that the text requires that a distinction be made between 'SMP Negeri' and SMP swasta. Therefore, I support Kaharuddin's suggestion.

Catherine Muir Aug 6, 2012:

Translation should be clear and unequivocal... ...without qualifying with brackets. As in the example I gave and others available by googling, no need to use the word 'public' and using it only causes unnecessary confusion to English-speaking end-users. What's important is to translate the meaning, not word-for-word, which in this case obfuscates. An SMPN is a junior high school, full stop. No need to say more. If you feel compelled to translate the meaning of 'negeri', it's much better to use 'State'. 'Public' is simply wrong.

Rosmeilan Siagian Aug 6, 2012:

Thanks, Pak Eddie and Catherine.
That's the very reason why I suggest that we use brackets in the English sentence.

Catherine Muir Aug 6, 2012:

Exactly, Eddie... ... it's incorrect to use the term 'public school' in this context, unless one is specifically restricting the meaning to an American context. In the UK, a 'public' school is anything but public, but is a very swish private school, like Eton. My suggestion was correct and so was Kaharuddin's.

Eddie R. Notowidigdo Aug 6, 2012:

Walaupun pertanyaan sudah ditutup, saya mohon mengingatkan bahwa istilah 'public school' dalam bhs Inggris UK artinya 'sekolah swasta', jadi justru kebalikan dari Inggris AS.