Pragmatic adaptation of nationally-precedent proper names in English–Ukrainian literary translation

Abstract

The topicality of the research is determined by the need to study the methods of rendering nationally-precedent proper names in literary translation as a stylistic device widely employed by masters of the written word. Unlike universal names, nationally-precedent proper names do not belong to the global cognitive space but rather reflect the specificities of a particular culture, which poses a significant challenge for the translator. The purpose of the study is to investigate and substantiate the expediency of applying specific adaptive strategies when rendering nationally-precedent proper names in English–Ukrainian literary translation, depending on their functional load in the source text. It has been established that such names perform nominative-informative and axiological functions. The essence of the nominative-informative function lies in naming the object and conveying a significant amount of socio-cultural background associated with it. The axiological (evaluative) function expresses the speaker’s attitude toward the object and is realized through comparison, metaphor, denominal adjectives, or antonomasia. Various adaptive transformations are applied to reproduce the connotations, associations, and axiological meanings of a precedent proper name in translation. The choice of the pragmatic adaptation method depends on the unit’s functional load in the source text. Specifically, if a proper name primarily performs a nominative-informative function, transcoding combined with a translator’s note proves to be effective. This solution allows for filling the cognitive gap while preserving the national flavor of the original. At the same time, if the proper name performs an evaluative function, the use of comments may excessively increase the volume of the target text due to the need to explain both denotative and connotative meanings. Therefore, in a number of cases, it is more expedient to apply other techniques, such as generalization, addition, or substitution. The prospects for further research lie in a comprehensive study of precedent phenomena and the strategies of their pragmatic adaptation in the English–Ukrainian translation of contemporary prose.