Cognitive strategies for translating Russian medical terminology into Chinese

Abstract

This article explores cognitive strategies for translating Russian medical terminology into Chinese. The aim of the study is to identify and classify approaches that ensure precise and conceptually adequate rendering of medical terms in the context of linguistic and cultural asymmetry. The research employs methods of cognitive and contrastive analysis, translation studies approaches, examination of lexical formation models, as well as analysis of corpus data and medical reference materials. The study investigates four key mechanisms of term formation: word formation, terminologization of common language units, abbreviation, and metaphorization. For each mechanism, relevant cognitive translation strategies are identified, including conceptual expansion, explicative calquing, and the construction of cross-linguistic terminological maps that reflect differences in cognitive models. Special attention is given to challenges arising from the translation of homonymous and latent metaphorical units, as well as culturally marked terms. The article introduces the concept of conceptual adaptation—the process of integrating a medical concept into a different linguistic and cultural worldview, based on cognitive models such as frames and prototype schemas. The findings confirm that high-quality medical translation is only possible through the integration of linguistic knowledge, a cognitive approach to meaning modeling, and professional understanding of the specialized domain. The proposed strategies may be applied in translator training programs and in the practice of medical and scientific translation between Russian and Chinese.

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