Problems and principles of translating terminology in legal English discourse: conceptual asymmetry in legal systems and its reflection in translation strategies
Doklady Bashkirskogo Universiteta. 2026. Volume 11. No. 2. pp. 132-162.
Authors
Ezhova N. F.
Kutafin Moscow State Law University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
Abstract
This study, making use of authentic texts of British legal discourse (regulatory acts, contracts, court decisions), examines the problem of overcoming conceptual asymmetry in the translation of legal terminology into Russian. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the development of a three-level classification of translation problems (linguo-stylistic discrepancies, partial equivalence, conceptual non-equivalence), based on the degree of divergence of the institutions of Common Law and Civil Law. It has been proven that the choice of the optimal translation strategy (from established calquing to the use of a functional analog and explicative transcription) is strictly determined by the level of conceptual asymmetry. The developed model algorithmizes the translation decision-making process and minimizes the risks of pragmatic adaptation to legal realities.
Keywords
- юридический перевод
- английский юридический дискурс
- сопоставительная лингвистика
- концептуальная асимметрия правовых систем
- общее право (Common Law)
- континентальное право (Civil Law)
- переводческие стратегии и техники
- функциональная эквивалентность
- юрислингвистика
- правовой концепт
- концептуальная лакуна
- безэквивалентная терминология
- правовая реалия
- правовая семья