TENDENCIES OF TRANSFORMATIONS IN TRANSLATION OF ENGLISH LEGAL TERMS IN THE CONTEXT OF PLAIN ENGLISH CAMPAIGN

Abstract

The problem of legal discourse translation and interpretation arises due to the numerous issues of globalization and European integration. Although a large number of studies are devoted to peculiarities of English legal discourse, the issue of adequate interpretation of legal terminology is urgent. Moreover, legal terminology is interpreted either using an equivalent, which may not always be understood or known to addressees of the text, or a descriptive translation, that, should be based on the principles of Plain English taking into account the pragmatic component of the translation and which must be as compact and transparent as possible. In the presence of shifts in the semantics of legal terms, not only in the lexical units themselves, but also in the minds of users of the terminology, in the perception and interpretation of the term by a sufficiently wide range of people, the translator must either create a new system, focusing exclusively on dictionary definitions and using dictionary correlations, or use new cross-linguistic terminological units, since the term required for translation is “using” another meaning. The Plain English Campaign is aimed at dealing with extremely difficult and sometimes confusing even for professionals cases of legalese. The approaches and principles of the Plain English Campaign make it possible to achieve accessibility for understanding by representatives of another legal system thorough understanding of legal discourse being translated. Usage of simple, clear language seems necessary; errors, inaccuracies in interpretation, ambiguity and abundant usage of the Passive Voice that are inherent in legalese, are almost impossible in this case. Simple language does not require further explanation and interpretation. We think that in the nearest future, the English legal discourse undergoes simplification. The quality of legal translation in some way affects the efficiency of law enforcement, the degree of regulation of specific relations; therefore a translator must consider both public purpose and legal usage. As a result, seeking an adequate translation, an interpreter should focus on a particular area of law, consider basic grammar features, find Ukrainian equivalents and involve simplification of the legal discourse.