Some Remarks on Terminological Metaphor and Its Translation. The Case of the French and Czech Terminology of Astronomy Cover Image

La metaphore terminologique et sa traduction. Le cas de la terminologie astronomique française et tcheque
Some Remarks on Terminological Metaphor and Its Translation. The Case of the French and Czech Terminology of Astronomy

Author(s): Zuzanna Honová, Jan Holeš
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Cognitive linguistics
Published by: Editura Universitaria Craiova
Keywords: astronomy;Czech language;French language;

Summary/Abstract: In specialized language, the reader encounters metaphors that cover an actualisation and explanatory role. They help to clarify some complex concepts and make them accessible for the reader. Metaphor is also a powerful source of terms and terms of metaphorical origin are abundant in specialized language. Finally, it is possible to examine the translation of metaphors in the specialized language, particularly in relation to the formation of new terms in various fields. The article analyses the translation of metaphors based on a comparison of French and Czech terms, particularly from the field of astronomy, also taking into account terms from other disciplines. Attention is mainly focused on the translation strategies used in the formation of new terms and on the comparison of their use in both languages. Calques and loanwords seem to be the most frequent translation strategies when forming French and Czech terminological equivalents of metaphorical terms in the field of astronomy. The calque is a universal and transparent solution allowing to create parallel metaphorical series in different languages. As for loanwords, the presence of anglicisms in French astronomy terminology is not really massive, probably as a result of the role of French standardizing authorities in the formation of terminological neologisms.

  • Issue Year: 2022
  • Issue No: 1-2
  • Page Range: 52-64
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: French