On the Use of Terminology in the Translation of Sociopolitical Texts

Abstract

This article investigates the crucial role of terminology in the translation of sociopolitical texts. The distinctive lexical and semantic characteristics of sociopolitical discourse — particularly the polysemy, cultural embeddedness, and ideological loading of its key terms — generate serious challenges in the translation process. The article analyses four main translation approaches employed between Azerbaijani and English: word-for-word, functional, communicative, and cultural adaptation. Practical translation strategies including transcription, transliteration, terminological equivalence, and explanatory translation are evaluated through concrete examples. The article further examines the capacity of artificial intelligence translation tools to handle sociopolitical terminology and argues for the continued indispensability of expert human translation. The study concludes that effective translation of sociopolitical texts requires a deep linguistic and cultural understanding of terminology, grounded in both theoretical frameworks and practical competence.