COMMON MISTAKES IN TRANSLATING POLITICAL DOCUMENTS

Abstract

Translating political documents presents unique challenges due to the complexity of political language and the absence of exact equivalents between languages. This paper explores common mistakes made in political translation, emphasizing the need for translators to fully understand both the source and target languages to avoid misinterpretations. Key issues discussed include the difficulty of accurately conveying political terminology, the risks of prioritizing form over content (or vice versa), and the frequent inconsistencies in translation approaches. The study also highlights the impact of systemic linguistic differences, particularly in the translation of Polish political terms into English, and the inadequacies of official translation teams. To address these challenges, a translation model is proposed, focusing on formal lexical analysis and consistent methodologies to ensure precise and contextually appropriate translations. While the findings are based on Polish-English translations, the principles outlined can be adapted for broader application in political translation across various languages.