THE CONCEPT AND CLASSIFICATION OF NATIONALLY AND CULTURALLY SPECIFIC UNITS
Abstract
Abstract: Nationally and culturally specific units (NCSUs), sometimes called realia, represent lexical and semantic items deeply embedded in the sociocultural fabric of a community. They include references to material culture, institutions, traditions, and phenomena that often lack direct equivalents in other languages. The translation and study of such units have attracted scholarly attention because they reveal how language mediates cultural identity. This thesis explores the conceptual foundations of NCSUs, reviews major classifications, and evaluates their implications for translation studies. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks and practical typologies, the paper argues that understanding NCSUs is essential not only for accurate translation but also for intercultural communication and cultural preservation.
References
Baker, M. (2018). In other words: A coursebook on translation (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Forum for Linguistic Studies. (2024). Realia vs irrealia in non-fiction vs fiction texts: A case study. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(1), Article 1946. https://journals.bilpubgroup.com/index.php/fls/article/download/6382/5169/28132
Grit, D. (2004). De vertaling van cultuurgebonden elementen. In L. Schulte Nordholt (Ed.), Culturele componenten in vertaling (pp. 35–52). Utrecht: Uitgeverij Het Spectrum.
Khachatryan, A. (2024). Strategies of rendering realia in mediated literary translation. Journal of Translation Studies. Yerevan State University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379486739_Strategies_of_Rendering_Realia_in_Mediated_Literary_Translation
Newmark, P. (1988). A textbook of translation. New York: Prentice Hall.
Venuti, L. (1995). The translator’s invisibility: A history of translation. London: Routledge.
Vermeer, H. J. (1989). Skopos and commission in translational action. In A. Chesterman (Ed.), Readings in Translation Theory (pp. 173–187). Helsinki: Oy Finn Lectura Ab.
Vlahov, S., & Florin, S. (2012). Untranslatables in translation theory. Moscow: R. Valent. (Original work published 1980).
