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Terminology system of green economy in a multilingual context: translation strategies for sustainable use of biological resources

https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2025-3-2-1-02

Abstract

The present article is dedicated to the study of methods for translating terms from the field of green economy, a relatively new area of economics aimed at sustainable use of biological resources. In the absence of a fully developed terminology system, the process of translating specialized texts in this field can be challenging and is susceptible to errors. Therefore, the relevance of this study arises from the need to organize terminology in the field of green economy and to ascertain the most efficacious methods of conveying it during the process of translation from other languages. The authors analyzed 145 terms from the field green economy in English, Russian, German, French, and Italian languages, collected through selection from specialized glossaries and a handbook containing specialized texts and terminology from the field of green economy. Along with the analysis of definitions, contextual analysis was conducted to identify equivalents in translation. The research material comprised texts that are freely available online. The English language was selected as the primary source language for this study, as it is the language in which these terms are originally expressed. The English terms were divided into two categories: single-component terms and multicomponent ones. Subsequently, the corresponding terms in other languages were identified and the translation techniques were analyzed. After studying the translation of some of the most common English terms into Russian, German, French, and Italian, it was found that the main challenge for translators is the existence of multiple translation options for a single term. This phenomenon is referred to as a doublet, and its present can affect the quality of the translation. Calquing has been identified as the preferred translation shift for multicomponent terms, as it facilitates a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the term’s meaning. Further research in this area would allow to systematize the terminology of green economy and develop guidelines for translating terms that do not have a permanent equivalent.

About the Authors

Elena N. Shirlina
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation


Jacopo Vigna-Taglianti
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation


Alla Yu. Komanova
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation


Elizaveta N. Sidorova
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation


Natalya A. Sergeeva
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation


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Review

For citations:


Shirlina E.N., Vigna-Taglianti J., Komanova A.Yu., Sidorova E.N., Sergeeva N.A. Terminology system of green economy in a multilingual context: translation strategies for sustainable use of biological resources. Timiryazev Biological Journal. 2025;3(2):202532102. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2025-3-2-1-02

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