TRANSLATION ISSUES OF TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY

485 Vol. 5, No. 11 – Special Issue (EJAR) ISSN: 2181-2020 LPTIENP International Scientific-Practice Conference on “Linguistics and Pedagogical Technologies: International Experience and National Practice” Denau, November 20, 2025 in-academy.uz/index.php/ejar TRANSLATION ISSUES OF TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY Aminova Dilshoda Jumayevna Master’s degree student of Denau Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17636729 ANNOTATION This article explores the main translation issues related to technical terminology across various specialized fields, such as engineering, medicine, and information technology. It examines linguistic, cultural, and contextual challenges that translators face when transferring highly specific terms between languages. The article also discusses strategies like standardization, neologism creation, and terminology databases, emphasizing the importance of translator training and subject-matter expertise to ensure precision and clarity in technical communication. Keywords: technical terminology, translation, standardization, neologism, terminology database, linguistic equivalence АННОТАЦИЯ В статье рассматриваются основные проблемы перевода технической терминологии в различных областях, таких как инженерия, медицина и информационные технологии. Анализируются лингвистические, культурные и контекстуальные трудности, с которыми сталкиваются переводчики при передаче специализированных терминов. Также обсуждаются стратегии стандартизации, создания неологизмов и использования терминологических баз данных, подчеркивается важность профессиональной подготовки переводчиков и их знаний в соответствующих областях. Ключевые слова: техническая терминология, перевод, стандартизация, неологизм, терминологическая база, лингвистическая эквивалентность. ANNOTATSIYA Ushbu maqola texnik terminologiyani turli sohalar, jumladan, muhandislik, tibbiyot va axborot texnologiyalari yo‘nalishlarida tarjima qilishdagi asosiy muammolarni o‘rganadi. Unda tarjimonlar duch keladigan lingvistik, madaniy va kontekstual qiyinchiliklar tahlil qilinadi. Shuningdek, maqolada standartlashtirish, yangi terminlar yaratish va terminologik bazalardan foydalanish kabi strategiyalar hamda texnik tarjimada aniqlikni ta’minlash uchun mutaxassislik bilimining ahamiyati yoritilgan. Kalit so‘zlar: texnik terminologiya, tarjima, standartlashtirish, yangi termin, terminologik baza, lingvistik ekvivalentlik. INTRODUCTION In an increasingly globalized and technology-driven world, accurate translation of technical terminology has become an essential element of international communication. Technical texts, whether they concern engineering manuals, scientific research, medical documents, or IT software, rely on precision, consistency, and clarity. Unlike literary or general texts, technical materials require translators not only to understand the linguistic aspects of the source and target languages but also to possess substantial knowledge of the subject matter itself. A single mistranslated term can lead to misinterpretation, functional errors, or even safety risks, particularly in industries like medicine and engineering. Technical terminology represents a specialized linguistic subsystem characterized by a high degree of standardization and conceptual specificity. However, challenges arise when equivalent terms do not exist in the target language, or when cultural and conceptual differences influence the perception of scientific or technological notions. Furthermore, rapid technological development continuously introduces new terms often in English that are adopted globally in varying ways, leading 486 Vol. 5, No. 11 – Special Issue (EJAR) ISSN: 2181-2020 LPTIENP International Scientific-Practice Conference on “Linguistics and Pedagogical Technologies: International Experience and National Practice” Denau, November 20, 2025 in-academy.uz/index.php/ejar to inconsistencies and ambiguity in translation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the most common issues encountered in translating technical terminology, identify the linguistic and pragmatic factors behind them, and discuss effective strategies that ensure accurate and contextually appropriate translations. The study also emphasizes the importance of developing unified terminology databases, enhancing translator education in technical fields, and maintaining collaboration between linguists and domain experts. MAIN PART Technical terminology forms the core of professional communication in fields such as engineering, medicine, information technology, and applied sciences. These terms are designed to express highly specific concepts unambiguously and efficiently [2]. However, translation of such terminology is not a mechanical transfer of words; it demands both linguistic competence and domainspecific knowledge [7]. For example, in computer science, the English term “cloud computing” has been translated into other languages through diverse methods some transliterate it, others translate it literally, and some retain the English form. Each approach shapes how the concept is understood in the target linguistic and cultural environment. Thus, the translator functions as a cultural and cognitive mediator between distinct systems of technical discourse. Technical terminology forms the core of professional communication in fields such as engineering, medicine, information technology, and applied sciences. These terms are designed to express highly specific concepts unambiguously and efficiently. Each approach shapes how the concept is understood in the target linguistic and cultural environment. Thus, the translator functions as a cultural and cognitive mediator between distinct systems of technical discourse. Information technology represents perhaps the most challenging domain for English-Uzbek technical translation due to the extremely rapid pace of technological innovation and the overwhelming dominance of English as the language of software development, internet communication, and digital technology [6] . New terms emerge constantly in English—often as proprietary brand names, informal coinages, or acronyms—that must somehow be rendered into Uzbek for technical documentation, user interfaces, educational materials, and professional communication. The fundamental challenge in IT terminology translation involves deciding between three main strategies: direct borrowing of English terms, creating native Uzbek equivalents, or using hybrid approaches. Direct borrowing is extremely common in IT contexts, resulting in Uzbek technical discourse filled with minimally adapted English terms: "kompyuter" (computer), "internet" (internet), "smartfon" (smartphone), "printer" (printer), "skaner" (scanner), "router" (router). These borrowings maintain international intelligibility and avoid the awkwardness of coined native terms for concepts closely associated with English-speaking technological culture. However, wholesale borrowing raises concerns about linguistic autonomy and accessibility for speakers less familiar with English. Some terms have competing native Uzbek equivalents of varying acceptance. "Computer" may be rendered as "kompyuter" (borrowing), "hisoblash mashinasi" (calculating machine, calque), or "EHM" (electronic computing machine, from Russian ЭВМ). "Software" appears as "dasturiy ta'minot" (programmatic provision, calque from Russian "programmnoe obespechenie"), "dastur" (program), or simply "software." "Hardware" becomes "apparat ta'minoti," "qurilma," or "hardware". This variation creates consistency problems in translation, as different translators and institutions adopt different conventions. Abstract IT concepts pose particular difficulties. Terms like "cloud computing," "machine learning," "artificial intelligence," "big data," and "blockchain" have entered English technical 487 Vol. 5, No. 11 – Special Issue (EJAR) ISSN: 2181-2020 LPTIENP International Scientific-Practice Conference on “Linguistics and Pedagogical Technologies: International Experience and National Practice” Denau, November 20, 2025 in-academy.uz/index.php/ejar discourse recently and lack established Uzbek equivalents. Translators must choose between borrowing ("bulut texnologiyasi" for cloud, "blokcheyn" for blockchain), creating descriptive phrases ("mashinali o'rganish" for machine learning, "sun'iy intellekt" for artificial intelligence), or leaving terms in English with explanatory glosses. The choice affects both comprehension and the long-term development of Uzbek technical vocabulary. User interface translation presents additional challenges. English IT terminology includes many short, intuitive terms (save, load, delete, download, upload, drag, drop) that are difficult to translate concisely into Uzbek while maintaining clarity. "Save" might be "saqlash," "saqlab qo'yish," or "xotirada saqlash." "Download" could be "yuklab olish," "yuklab tushirish," or simply "download." Consistency across software applications is rare, leading to user confusion [5]. Moreover, English terminology often relies on metaphors (desktop, window, folder, trash) that may not translate naturally into Uzbek conceptual frameworks. CONCLUSION Translating technical terminology is one of the most complex and demanding tasks in modern translation studies. It goes far beyond finding lexical equivalents; it requires a deep understanding of specialized concepts, contextual meanings, and the communicative purpose of the text. The accuracy of a technical translation can determine the safety, reliability, and success of professional communication across different fields such as engineering, medicine, and information technology. The analysis of linguistic and conceptual challenges shows that technical terms often lack direct equivalents in target languages. This is mainly due to differences in technological development, cultural background, and terminology creation processes. Borrowing, calque, descriptive translation, and neologism formation each play a significant role in ensuring equivalence, but every choice carries implications for clarity and user comprehension. Therefore, translators must evaluate not only the linguistic but also the pragmatic and cultural dimensions of the text. Another crucial factor is the need for standardization. Terminological inconsistency may cause confusion, especially when multiple translators or organizations work on the same subject area. Establishing and maintaining national and international terminology databases helps unify the use of technical vocabulary, improve precision, and reduce errors. This is particularly important in fastdeveloping fields where new terms appear rapidly and spread globally. Continuous professional development, collaboration with field experts, and familiarity with translation technologies such as CAT tools and terminology management systems are essential to achieve high-quality results. In conclusion, effective translation of technical terminology is the product of linguistic expertise, domain knowledge, and methodological discipline. It ensures that technology, science, and innovation remain accessible and comprehensible across linguistic boundaries. The future of technical translation depends on ongoing cooperation between linguists, scientists, and technologists to create precise, standardized, and universally accepted terminology that meets the needs of the global knowledge community. 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