LINGUISTIC TRANSFORMATIONS IN TRANSLATION TO MAINTAIN MEANING

Abstract

Linguistic transformations are deliberate changes in form that translators use to preserve meaning when direct equivalence is unavailable or unnatural. This article explains why transformations are necessary and how they function as meaning-maintenance tools at lexical, grammatical, and discourse levels. Drawing on classic taxonomies of procedures (e.g., transposition and modulation) and the concept of translation shifts, the paper proposes a practical framework for selecting transformations based on context, genre, and reader needs. Multiple short examples demonstrate how transformations prevent semantic loss, pragmatic distortion, and cohesion breakdown. The analysis shows that successful transformations are not “free translation,” but controlled operations guided by communicative purpose and target-language norms. The article concludes that transformation competence is a core indicator of professional translation quality and can be systematically taught and assessed.