The linguo-pragmatic aspect of translating political media discourse

Abstract

The translation of political media discourse presents significant challenges due to its complex, persuasive nature and the critical role of linguo-pragmatics. Political language often carries implicit meanings shaped by cultural and socio-political contexts, requiring translators to navigate these aspects while maintaining the original message’s integrity. Thе paper explores the intricacies involved in translating political media, particularly TED Talks, to demonstrate how linguistic choices and expressive means impact the conveyance of political ideas across languages. The study employs a range of research methods, including continuous sampling of English and Ukrainian TED Talks speeches, comparative and contextual analyses, and the descriptive method. They were used to examine the translation strategies and their effectiveness in preserving the original media discourse’s ideological and pragmatic implications. The obtained results reveal that translating political discourse involves more than linguistic accuracy. It requires careful consideration of ideological and cultural contexts. Translators must handle lexico-semantic choices, gendered language, stylistic devices, and intertextuality with precision to avoid unintended bias and preserve the intended impact. The study also highlights the impact of translation strategies on the reception of political messages. Translators’ decisions, such as the use of feminitives or the preservation of metaphors and rhetorical questions, influence how audiences understand and engage with political content. The research emphasizes the importance of balancing fidelity to the source text with ethical considerations and the potential ideological effects of translation choices. Thus, the role of linguo-pragmatics in preserving the integrity and effectiveness of political communication across languages and cultures is of paramount importance.