LEXICAL AND STYLISTIC BASICS OF THE TRANSLATION OF SCIENTIFIC TEXTS

Abstract

The article examines the lexical and stylistic peculiarities of translating scientific texts, emphasizing the importance of achieving adequacy, precision, and stylistic consistency between the source and target languages. It identifies the main linguistic and contextual challenges translators face when working with academic and technical materials. The study highlights the need for accurate term selection based on specialized dictionaries, avoidance of ambiguity, use of calques to preserve the original structure, and adherence to lexical equivalence according to the topic and context. Particular attention is given to lexical transformations such as transliteration, transcription, and descriptive translation, which help render specialized terminology lacking direct equivalents in the target language. The article also explores stylistic features essential for high-quality scientific translation, including objectivity and neutrality of presentation, terminological consistency, conciseness, logical coherence, and preservation of the author’s style.

Examples from English–Ukrainian translations illustrate strategies for maintaining clarity and stylistic conformity, such as the adaptation of passive constructions and the contextual differentiation of polysemous terms. The study underscores the significance of understanding the semantic and syntactic differences between English and Ukrainian, as well as the translator’s ability to navigate field-specific terminology, abbreviations, and neologisms that are not yet standardized in lexicographic sources.

Emphasis is placed on semantic transformations, the avoidance of tautology, and grammatical adaptation of complex sentences to ensure naturalness and readability in translation. The paper also analyzes the role of genre and stylistic conventions in conveying scientific discourse and discusses methods to overcome linguistic asymmetries through generalization, concretization, and syntactic restructuring.

Ultimately, it concludes that a competent translation of scientific texts requires not only linguistic expertise but also subject-matter knowledge, awareness of context, and adherence to the norms of the target scientific style. The adequacy of translation is determined by the balance between accuracy, equivalence, and stylistic conformity, ensuring the faithful transmission of meaning and structure from the source language into Ukrainian.