THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
183
STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES IN TERMINOLOGY TRANSLATION:
FROM BORROWING TO NEOLOGISMS
Ortiqova Iroda Shukhratovna
UzSWLU
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15386063
Abstract
This article examines practical strategies for translating specialized
terminology across disciplines such as medicine, technology, and law. By
analyzing methods including calquing, descriptive translation, borrowing, and
neologisms, the study highlights how translators navigate linguistic and
conceptual challenges.
Keywords
: Calquing, borrowing, neologisms, descriptive translation, ISO
Specialized terminology forms the backbone of precise and effective
communication in numerous professional fields, including medicine, technology,
and law. Translating such terminology accurately, however, poses considerable
challenges due to linguistic, conceptual, and cultural complexities. Translators
must not only exhibit linguistic proficiency but also possess a profound
understanding of specific domain knowledge, cultural nuances, and institutional
norms. The goal is to select strategies that maintain the accuracy and usability of
terms within the target language context, considering various influencing factors
such as established linguistic equivalents, cultural distance, the balance between
conciseness and explicitness, and compliance with institutional standards.
One prevalent strategy in translating terminology is calquing or loan
translation. Calquing involves translating individual morphemes or words
directly from the source language to the target language, preserving the original
structure. This method proves especially beneficial when languages share
similar morphological structures. For instance, the English term
"superconductor" is translated into Uzbek as "supero‘tkazuvchi," maintaining
transparency and conformity to Uzbek morphological patterns. Similarly, the
German term "Fernsehen," meaning "far-seeing," translates effectively into
English as "television." While calquing ensures semantic transparency and
linguistic consistency, it also risks creating unnatural expressions or false
cognates when source and target structures differ significantly, as illustrated by
the German word "handy," which means "mobile phone."
Another crucial translation method is descriptive translation, which uses
explanatory phrases to convey the meaning of terms lacking direct equivalents.
This approach enhances clarity for non-specialist audiences by explicitly
describing the term's function. For example, the English term "firewall"
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
184
translates descriptively into Uzbek as "kompyuter tarmog‘ini himoya qiluvchi
dasturiy vosita" (software protecting computer networks). Similarly, the Latin
legal term "habeas corpus" is translated into Russian as "судебный приказ о
доставке заключённого" (court order to deliver a prisoner). While descriptive
translation provides clarity, it may also result in lengthy phrases that hinder
readability in technical texts and require frequent updates if concise equivalents
subsequently emerge.
Borrowing, or transcription, represents a third significant strategy, directly
adopting source language terms with minimal adjustments. This method is
particularly effective in fields that evolve rapidly, such as information
technology, promoting immediate international recognition and facilitating
communication across linguistic borders. For example, "algorithm" in English
directly translates into Uzbek as "algoritm," and "software" translates into
Arabic as "
تفوس
ريو
." Despite its advantages in global communication, borrowing
can alienate audiences unfamiliar with foreign terminology and potentially
impede the development of indigenous terminology within the target language.
The creation of neologisms, involving new terms crafted using native
morphemes or semantic extensions, constitutes a dynamic method that fosters
linguistic identity and local comprehensibility. The English term "smartphone,"
for instance, translates into Uzbek as "aqlli telefon" (intelligent phone), while the
French term "courriel," blending "courrier électronique," offers a native
alternative to "email." Neologisms align well with linguistic traditions but
require widespread acceptance and institutional support. Furthermore, the
coexistence of competing neologisms may fragment language use and
complicate standardization.
Institutional frameworks play a pivotal role in terminology translation,
providing guidelines and standards that ensure consistency and clarity across
international platforms. Organizations such as ISO, IATE, and WHO develop
standardized terminologies, illustrated by ISO 704:2019, which outlines term
formation principles, and IATE, which harmonizes terms across European Union
languages. These frameworks significantly reduce ambiguity and facilitate
multilingual documentation, notably aiding minority languages in developing
technical vocabularies.
Practical examples underscore the complexity and necessity of context-
specific translation strategies. In medical terminology, the WHO standardizes
terms such as "diabetes mellitus," translated into Uzbek as "qandli diabet"
(sugar diabetes), ensuring interoperability across global healthcare systems.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
185
Legal terminology poses unique challenges, exemplified by the term "common
law trust," lacking direct equivalents in civil law jurisdictions. Russian
incorporates the English "trust," while other languages employ descriptive
translations like "доверительная собственность" (fiduciary property).
In conclusion, effective terminology translation demands strategic
flexibility to balance accuracy, clarity, and cultural adaptability. While calquing
and borrowing offer practical immediacy, descriptive translations and
neologisms emphasize inclusivity and linguistic independence. Institutional
standards remain essential for maintaining global consistency, but translators
must continuously adapt to evolving language usage. Future translation
strategies should leverage collaborative digital platforms, artificial intelligence
tools, and policies supporting minority languages to enhance the precision and
accessibility of terminology across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.
References:
1.
ISO 704:2019. Terminology work—Principles and methods.
2.
Sager, J.C. (1990). A Practical Course in Terminology Processing. John
Benjamins.
3.
IATE Database. European Union Terminology. https://iate.europa.eu
