Translation of metaphorised terms (the case of patents)

The paper focuses on the aspects of translating specialised lexical units of technical texts. Metaphorised means of cognitive information, namely terms, are of particular interest within the framework of technical texts characterized by the presence of cognitive information, which is dominant in such texts. Our hypothesis is that modern technical patents registering copyright for specific latest inventions may contain terms formed as a result of the metaphoric transfer with the purpose of rendering the cognitive information. Drawing upon English-language patents presenting discoveries in the area of nanotechnology and nanomaterials and selected from PATENTSCOPE database of the World Intellectual Property Organisation by the continuous sampling method, this paper highlights the techniques of translating metaphorised terms into Russian. To achieve the set goal, the comparative and descriptive methods have been utilized. The analysis of patents and their Russian translations has revealed that the following methods have been used to translate metaphorised terms: metaphorisation, with the meaning transfer method being retained; remetaphorisation, with the meaning transfer method being changed; demetaphorisation; demetaphorisation or metaphorisation of one and the same metaphorised term. The research demonstrates that remetaphorisation is the least used technique. The practical value of this paper consists in the use of the terminology research outcomes for translation purposes and in translation theory and practice courses.