APPROACHES TO TRANSLATING LEGAL VOCABULARY CONTAINING COLOUR ADJECTIVES INTO RUSSIAN

Abstract

Research on color-denoting adjectives primarily focuses on describing color designations in individual languages, historical contexts, and literary genres. There are fewer results based on professional texts, and color-denoting adjectives within legal texts have not been thoroughly studied. The goal of this article is to complement existing research by describing the semantic characteristics of color components found in legal lexicon and their translation into Russian. To analyze the semantic and structural composition of terms containing color-related components, we applied a method of continuous sampling and cluster analysis. Additionally, we used a compara-tive-contrastive analysis to examine translation methods for selected lexical units into Russian. Our sources included English-English, bilingual dictionaries of legal terms and encyclopedias. The study identifi ed ten colors refl ected in various terms used in legal communication. We described their quantitative and structural characteristics, com-ponent-based semantic composition, and established translation methods. The identifi ed lexical units encompass verbs, nouns (including compound nouns), adjectives, and fi xed expressions. We identifi ed relationships of contrast, complete equivalence, shifts in meaning, and unrelated meanings within their semantic fi elds. The research fi ndings can be applied in legal translation courses, particularly for analyzing vocabulary characterized by metaphorical transfer and idiomatic expressions. Nearly all units have been translated resorting to multiple translation techniques, although their frequency of use varies. In total, we identifi ed 22 translation methods, including subtypes. Most terms are translated through calque and explanatory translation. Some terms are translated with the help of a combination of translation methods, primarily involving calquing, identifi cation of their equivalents, or descriptive translation.