Eurospeak and the Russian terminology of law: translation challenges

I N Fomina

doi:10.24833/2687-0126-2019-1-3-41-49

Abstract

The paper focuses on translation challenges arising from a discrepancy between English and Russian terminological systems of law and politics and studies the possible solutions used by translators. Advantages and drawbacks of the generally accepted methods are considered, as well as the factors that usually influence the translator’s decision. The study also aims at analysing the consequences of the translators’ choices. While in the source language (SL) terms are largely coined by lawyers and scholars, in the target language (TL) translators are often the people who introduce and popularise them, which makes them particularly responsible for their work. The paper provides an overview of the interaction between individual decisions made by translators and the long-term influence they make on the system of the Russian EU-related terminology. The findings of the study can be used in training translators, interpreters and other professionals in the fields of law and politics whose responsibilities require good command of the terminology in question. Further research in this area can make a strong contribution to the efforts of terminology management.

Highlights

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the way terms of the European Union law and politics are typically rendered in the Russian language, with particular focus on the most challenging cases
As the new concepts are formulated in the countries of the European Union, they are first assigned a name in one or several of the EU languages, and Russian inevitably becomes secondary to this process, very often adopting a new term along with borrowing the concept it denotes. This expands and enriches the Russian terminology of the respective subject area, but on the other hand, certain efforts have to be made to fit the new terms in the current terminological system and align them with the main principles of the local terminology. It is essential for translators and interpreters to ensure adequate mutual understanding between participants in international communication, and the exact treatment of terms by both sides is a must for harmonising terminology [Manik, 2015]
E.g., austerity – меры жесткой экономии, food safety – гарантия чистоты пищевых продуктов, general-interest services – услуги, ориентированные на общественное благо, environmental liability – ответственность за вред, нанесенный окружающей среде, etc

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the way terms of the European Union law and politics are typically rendered in the Russian language, with particular focus on the most challenging cases. The latter include situations when those terms do not have an established dictionary equivalent; when the meaning of the original term changes to the extent that an explanation or even a new equivalent is required; or when the respective terms in the English and Russian languages are only partially similar in meaning, but the elements of the concept in one language are distributed differently among several terms of the other language. It is essential for translators and interpreters to ensure adequate mutual understanding between participants in international communication, and the exact treatment of terms by both sides is a must for harmonising terminology [Manik, 2015]

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

OVERVIEW OF THE VOCABULARY IN QUESTION

TRANSLATION CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

CONCLUSION