Terminology as a Translation Challenge: Navigating Sociopolitical Texts across Languages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.26050018Keywords:
Sociopolitical translation, terminology, equivalence, cultural context, translation strategies, language and ideology, political discourseAbstract
Translating sociopolitical texts is widely considered one of the most demanding tasks in the field of translation studies. These texts deal with topics such as government, law, international relations, elections, and social movements, and they contain a large number of specialized terms that carry very precise meanings. When a translator fails to handle these terms correctly, the result can be a serious misunderstanding of the original message. This article explores the main challenges that translators face when working with terminology in sociopolitical texts, and suggests practical strategies for overcoming them. The study argues that terminology in this text type is not simply a matter of finding the right word — it is deeply connected to culture, ideology, and historical context. The article also discusses the growing role of technology in supporting terminological decisions, while noting that human judgment remains essential. Drawing on established translation theories and recent research in linguistics and language education, the article proposes a balanced approach that combines terminological accuracy with cultural sensitivity and communicative effectiveness.
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