Strategiebedingtes Übersetzen aus den kleineren Sprachen im Fachbereich Jura

Legal translation from languages of limited diffusion: translation strategyTranslation studies generally fail to regard the SL as one of the main factors determining translation strategy. This also applies to studies of legal translation, the subject-matter of this paper. Analyzing the procedures used in the translation of system-bound terms in statutory texts from LLD (languages of limited diffusion), the author shows that translators of LLD also give priority to neutral, TL-oriented equivalents. In cases, however, where no neutral equivalents are available in the TL, translators usually resort to literal equivalents. Assuming that their readers are not already familiar with the source concept, translators of LLD intentionally avoid using borrowings and naturalizations which are preferred by their colleagues who translate from world languages. This, however, does not warrant the unlimited use of literal equivalents. Finally, for the sake of uniform usage, the author urges national organizations to standardize equivalents of LLD system-bound terms.