Linguistic Peculiarities of Translating Metaphors in Diplomatic Discourse

Abstract

This thesis examines the techniques of translating metaphorical expressions from English into Russian, in particular, in the context of official speeches of the presidents of Kazakhstan and Russia. Taking into account that political speeches are full of metaphors, often containing ideological and cultural meaning, the aim of the study is to analyze metaphors as a specific, figurative form of language and to identify the peculiarities of their changes depending on national differences. The analysis of official translations of presidential speeches between 2021 and 2024, reveals a variety of strategies for translating metaphors, which in turn accounts for the emergence of semantic nuances, that is, how translation can influence policy statements at the international level. This paper fills an important research gap, as if until now there has been no comparative analysis of Kazakh and Russian political discourse in the field of metaphor translation. The study advances the understanding of metaphor translation in diplomacy and has practical implications for linguists, translators and political scientists. According to the qualitative research, which included the analysis of over 200 metaphorical expressions, the most common translation strategy is retaining the original metaphor, which indicates an intention to save its figurative meaning. The comparative analysis, on the other hand, allowed us to identify both common features and specific features that reflect national peculiarities. The results of the study show that there is a need for a planned way of using metaphors in political discourse. Consequently, it can be stated that translating metaphors is also a political act, as it reflects cultural differences. In conclusion, it is recommended to pay more attention to the careful translation of metaphors in diplomatic speeches and to promote research on how different languages are used in diplomatic communication.