On translation of organizational elements of russian legislative texts

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the issue of translating Russian legislative texts into English. The purpose of translation of such legislative texts is to inform the reader rather that to regulate certain relations, which a typical law normally does. The research was conducted to find out whether the provisions of Russian federal laws are translated in the same way and, if they are not, to analyze the differences between the translation decisions and their adequacy from the point of view of contents and style and genre conventions. The research is based on ten Russian federal laws and their English translations presented on the legislation review websites and English versions of some Russian government institutions websites. The research methods include a comparative method, context analysis and analysis of dictionary definitions. The organization of any legislative text consists of specific elements which are comprised into introductory, main or final part of the text. The introductory part may include the provisions about the scope of the law, its subject matter, and basic terms and definitions. The final part may contain the provisions about the entry of the law into force and amendments to legislation, including repeals. Russian wordings of such provisions are different. An even greater variety can be seen in translations of these provisions. Sometimes a translator uses word-for-word translation in order to emphasize the linguistic aspects of the text. On the other hand, numerous translation decisions take into account English style and genre conventions. Differences can be found in translation of general legal terminology. For example, «scope», «sphere of application», «sphere of action» can serve as English equivalents of one and the same Russian term describing what the law regulates; «definitions», «notions», «concepts» are used in the provisions specifying the basic terms used in the law. Some provisions of Russian laws are translated with the verb being used in Present Simple Tense while others contain archaic “shall”. Undoubtedly, translation decisions can be different. However, what remains a priority for a translator is a purpose of translation, communicative situation, recipient of the translation and the instructions of the person who initiated the translation, for instance, to highlight the linguistic features of the Russian text, to emphasize the specifics of Russian legislative drafting etc.