CURRENT THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO SCIENTIFIC TRANSLATION: A CONTRASTIVE RESEARCH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/2520-6397.2026.1.02Keywords:
specialised translation, scientific translation, translation theory, source-oriented approach, target oriented approach, translation equivalence, referential equivalence, text-normative equivalence, pragmatic equivalence.Abstract
Background. The relevance of this research is determined by the immediate need of scientific translation as a progressively developing subfield of Translation Studies in developing its own methodological principles and approaches within the framework of the general theory of translation. The article considers the latest theoretical approaches and tests their applicability to specialised translation, in particular to the translation of scientific texts.
Methods. The study employs general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, classification, systematization, descriptive analysis, as well as specialized research methods of discourse analysis, comparative translation analysis.
Results. This review paper has analysed the existing theories of translation according to their orientation on the source text and/or target text against the background that the source text was previously considered as the most important element in translation. In our research, we have traced in the translation theory a shift of focus away from source text frameworks towards a more communicative approach in terms of which translation is now viewed as a communicative process with the guiding factors of the message and the recipient. As to approaches that could be instrumental in analysing specialised translation in general and scientific translation in particular, we have found it useful to apply a more balanced notion of equivalence called pragmatic equivalence ("functionality plus loyalty" model), which could be a useful guide for specialized translators in their professional activity. Importantly, in this dynamic notion of equivalence the accent is not on the supremacy of either the source text or the target text but on the equal significance of the two. In our research, we have investigated the types of equivalence achievable in scientific translation – referential, pragmatic, text-informative. In particular, we looked into the pragmatic equivalence of analysed research articles and their translations, while specifying the translators' orientation on source or target text.
Conclusions. Our analysis has proved that modern translators of scientific texts try to maintain a balanced attitude towards the source and target texts, with equal attention to both texts, which is definitely helpful in choosing appropriate translation solutions and achieving a pragmatically successful translation. Keywords: specialised translation, scientific translation, translation theory, source-oriented approach, target oriented approach, translation equivalence, referential equivalence, text-normative equivalence, pragmatic equivalence.
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