Semantic and pragmatic conditioning of specification and generalization in translating military journalistic texts (based on German)

The article examines the semantic and pragmatic features of translating military journalistic texts from German. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors influencing the choice of the translation transformations of specification and generalization in such texts. The scientific novelty lies in establishing a correlation between the semantic characteristics of German military journalistic vocabulary, its broad semantic range (eurysemy), and the choice of translation transformations when rendering it into Russian. Based on practical material, the study determines the degree of specification or generalization of the resulting equivalent in relation to the denotative content of the source unit actualized in context. The author clarifies the role of translators’ background knowledge as a factor in selecting a translation solution. The results demonstrate that: (1) the choice of an equivalent is determined not so much by the direct dictionary meaning as by the denotative content actualized in context, the communicative situation, and the translator’s background knowledge; (2) increasing semantic uncertainty of the source nomination enhances the role of interpretation in selecting an equivalent; (3) generalization and specification are mutually complementary transformations: the former explicates relevant components of the denotative content, whereas the latter removes excessive detail; and (4) the translator’s background knowledge is essential for adequately conveying culturally marked and broad-meaning vocabulary.