LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATING REALIA BETWEEN ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN

Abstract

The translation of realia—culture-specific words and expressions that lack
direct equivalents in other languages—represents one of the most complex challenges
in intercultural communication. In the context of English and Russian, the problem
becomes especially significant due to the cultural, historical, and linguistic differences
between the two languages. This paper explores the linguistic and cultural challenges
encountered in the process of translating realia, focusing on issues of equivalence,
semantic loss, pragmatic adaptation, and cultural connotation. It analyzes the
strategies translators employ, such as borrowing, calque, descriptive translation,
adaptation, and domestication versus foreignization approaches. Through examples
from literature, media, and socio-political texts, the study highlights how translation
choices can either preserve cultural uniqueness or adapt terms for better
comprehension in the target culture. The findings emphasize that successful
translation of realia requires not only linguistic proficiency but also deep cultural
awareness, as misinterpretation may distort meaning, reduce authenticity, or create
cultural gaps. Ultimately, the study argues that the translator’s role is both linguistic
and cultural mediation, balancing fidelity to the source text with accessibility for the
target audience.