Challenges in translating mountain-related cultural and ecological terminology: The Azerbaijani–English context

Translation of Azerbaijani mountain-related cultural and ecological terms into English often results in semantic loss due to conceptual discrepancies, as demonstrated by a study analyzing words like 'yaylaq' (summer pasture) and 'qışlaq' (winter pasture). The research applies Venuti's domestication/foreignization theory and Nida's dynamic equivalence concept, revealing that literal translations fail to capture the specificity of Azerbaijani terms. Descriptive translation combined with borrowing or including Azerbaijani terms with explanations proves more effective in preserving meaning and cultural nuances, particularly in academic and ethnographic contexts.

Aghayeva, G. (2026). Challenges in translating mountain-related cultural and ecological terminology: The Azerbaijani–English context. BIO Web of Conferences, 257, 1012. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202625701012