Features of translating Soviet political texts

the article presents a comprehensive study of the linguistic and cultural-pragmatic aspects of translating Soviet political texts, based on material from F. Chuev’s book One Hundred and Forty Conversations with Molotov (1991) and speeches by key Soviet leaders: V.I. Lenin, I.V. Stalin, and L.I. Brezhnev. The primary focus is on analyzing strategies for rendering ideologically charged vocabulary, metaphors, cultural-specific concepts (realia), and syntactic structures characteristic of Soviet political discourse. The methodological framework includes a comparative analysis of originals and translations, a contextual approach to interpreting ideological terminology, and a linguo-stylistic examination of rhetorical devices. The results demonstrate that successful translation of Soviet texts requires not only linguistic precision but also a profound understanding of historical-cultural context and the pragmatic objectives of communication. Specifically, it is shown that calquing ideological terms and literal translation of metaphors help preserve the rhetorical force of the originals. Special attention is given to the adaptation of Soviet realia, where a combination of transliteration and contextual explanations ensures their integration into foreign-language contexts. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of guidelines for translators working with historical-political texts, as well as in providing tools for analyzing Soviet discourse within cultural and historical research frameworks. The article contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship by integrating methods from linguistics, history, and translation studies, while also opening avenues for further exploration of the reception of Soviet rhetoric in international academic discourse.

Soviet political discourse, translation of ideological vocabulary, cultural pragmatics, metaphors in translation, Soviet realia, interdisciplinary analysis