CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATING MILITARY TERMINOLOGY FROM ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN INTO KAZAKH

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ПЕРЕВОДА ВОЕННОЙ ТЕРМИНОЛОГИИ С АНГЛИЙСКОГО И РУССКОГО ЯЗЫКОВ НА КАЗАХСКИЙ

Сагындыков Жандос Ерканатулы

студент, Карагандинский национальный исследовательский университет имени академика Е.А. Букетова, Казахстан, г. Караганда

Набиева Айжан Болатовна

научный руководитель, магистр гуманитарных наук, Карагандинский национальный исследовательский университет имени академика Е.А. Букетова, Казахстан, г. Караганда

Abstract. This study explores the linguistic and pragmatic complexities involved in rendering military terminology from English and Russian into Kazakh. The paper examines issues such as polysemy, the absence of direct equivalents, and the necessity of cultural adaptation. Special emphasis is placed on the evolution of Kazakh military discourse and the integration of CAT-tools (Tilmoch.ai, Smartcat) into the translation workflow. The research identifies systemic causes of translation errors and suggests methodological improvements for the military sphere.

Аннотация. В статье рассматриваются теоретические и практические трудности перевода военной терминологии с английского и русского языков на казахский. Анализируются полисемия, культурно-правовые особенности, проблема отсутствия эквивалентов и вопросы контекстуального перевода. Особое внимание уделяется формированию казахской военной терминологии и применению современных технологий перевода (Tilmoch.ai, Smartcat). Исследование выявляет основные причины ошибок и предлагает рекомендации по совершенствованию методики перевода.

Keywords: military terminology, translation challenges, equivalence gaps, polysemy, Kazakh language, translation technology.

Ключевые слова: военная терминология, трудности перевода, отсутствие эквивалентов, полисемия, казахский язык, технологии перевода.

Introduction

In the contemporary global security landscape, Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces are increasingly engaged in multilateral cooperation, necessitating seamless interoperability with both NATO standards and CSTO protocols. This integration places a heavy burden on the precision of military translation. The translation of technical terms is not merely a linguistic exercise but a factor of national security, as any ambiguity in command or tactical documentation can lead to critical misunderstandings. Our study aims to dissect the specific barriers faced by translators when adapting established English and Russian military systems into the developing terminological framework of the Kazakh language.

Specific Features of Military Discourse

Military language in English and Russian is characterized by extreme density, a high frequency of abbreviations, and a rigid hierarchical structure of concepts. However, when these systems meet the Kazakh language, a significant «asymmetry» arises. While English and Russian systems are highly standardized, Kazakh military terminology is currently in a state of active formation and refinement.

The primary stylistic challenge lies in maintaining the strictly impersonal, logical nature of military-scientific texts. Kazakh syntax must be carefully adjusted to mirror the passive constructions and objective tone prevalent in international documents without losing semantic clarity. Furthermore, military concepts often carry extralinguistic weight — legal and ethical connotations that differ across national systems. A term that seems technically accurate might fail to meet the «cultural-legal» sensitivity required in official Kazakh military standards.

Theoretical Foundations and Historical Context

From the perspective of translation theory, as noted by V.N. Komissarov [1], terms represent the most stable yet context-dependent layer of language. In the Kazakh context, military terminology began its formal development during the Soviet era, largely as a derivative of Russian models. However, since independence, scholars like K. Amanzholov and A. Tasbolatov [2] have worked to establish a more distinct and accurate national terminology. Despite these efforts, a gap persists between international standards (such as NATO’s AAP-06) and domestic glossaries, which often complicates the search for precise equivalents.

Practical Challenges: From Polysemy to Equivalence Gaps

Our analysis of documents from the Kazakh military glossaries [3, p. 288, 325] and the NATO terminology database [4, p. 21, 44, 53] reveals three primary levels of difficulty:

1. The Trap of Polysemy: A classic example is the English term «drone.» While it is often transliterated as «дрон,» a professional military context might require «ұшқышсыз ұшу аппараты» (unmanned aerial vehicle). The choice depends entirely on the technical specifics of the craft, which a general-purpose dictionary might overlook.
2. Equivalence Gaps: The Kazakh term «барлау» is broadly used for «reconnaissance» and «intelligence». However, in operational contexts, these are distinct activities. Translators must often resort to descriptive translation or neologisms to avoid tactical ambiguity.
3. Legal and Ethical Nuances: The term «collateral damage» exemplifies the difficulty of cultural adaptation. In Kazakh, it can be rendered as «қосалқы зардап» or more explicitly as «бейбіт тұрғындарға келтірілген зиян.» The choice is dictated by the legal framework of the document being translated.

The Role of CAT Tools and Post-Editing

The advent of specialized software like Tilmoch.ai and Smartcat has undoubtedly accelerated the translation process. During our research, the implementation of Translation Memory (TM) proved vital for ensuring consistency across large volumes of text. However, «raw» machine translation remains inadequate for military purposes. Human post-editing is indispensable to ensure that the final text adheres to the strict «business-like» style and specific military standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Conclusion

The translation of military terminology into Kazakh is a dynamic field that requires a synthesis of linguistic expertise and technical knowledge. To improve current standards, it is necessary to focus on three areas: the creation of a unified, digitally accessible military glossary, the integration of modern CAT tools into the training of military translators, and a deeper focus on the legal nuances of international defense cooperation. These measures will ultimately strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the international military arena.