Screen terminology: from lexical framework to translation strategies

Abstract

The article examines the modern English-language terminological system of cinematography as an essential component of specialized vocabulary, playing a significant role in intercultural communication and translation practice. Language, particularly specialized vocabulary, reflects cultural, social, and scientific changes, with terms serving not only as outcomes but also as tools for the development of specific fields of knowledge. Cinematography, as a synthetic art form, encompasses technical, artistic, and theoretical components, which are reflected in its terminology. The study emphasizes the dynamic development of film terminology, which has undergone substantial changes under the influence of technological progress, globalization, and interdisciplinary exchange. The article analyzes the sources of term formation, including borrowings from theatre, photography, and literature, as well as methods of term creation such as compounding, derivation, and calquing. The focus is placed on the structural and semantic characteristics of terms, including polysemy, synonymy, evolution, and stability within the language system. The complexity of translating such terms is highlighted, often due to the absence of equivalent concepts in Ukrainian or differences in cultural context. The analysis of translation strategies includes transliteration, calquing, descriptive translation, explicitation, and other techniques. Particular attention is given to the challenge of rendering terminological units in literary contexts, where terms may acquire evaluative or figurative functions, complicating the translation process. The need for systematizing cinematographic terminology to ensure clarity and precision in professional communication is also underscored. The study stresses that film-related terms have become an integral part of common vocabulary, facilitating their use not only by professionals but also by the general public. The research concludes that English-language film terminology represents a dynamic system that is constantly evolving, reflecting both the development of cinematic art and the transformation of the socio-cultural landscape. Its translation requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account linguistic, cultural, and pragmatic factors.