By Lynn Visson
Since today’s world newspapers, radio and television programs around the globe are all too often filled with accounts of terrorist attacks, suicide bombing and other such horrific acts, the Russian-English/English-Russian translator or interpreter is well advised to have a variety of synonyms in his active linguistic baggage. “Shocking”, a word commonly used to describe terrorist acts, can be supplemented or replaced by a wide variety of negative adjectives such as “abominable’ (отвратительный), “appalling” (жуткий), “atrocious” (зверский, гнусный), “brutal” (жестокий), “frightful” (ужасный, страшный), “hateful” (ненавистный), “heinous” (омерзительный), “hideous” (безобразный), “horrible” (ужасный), “monstrous” (чудовищный), “obnoxious” (противный, несносный), “odious” (ненавистный, противный), “outrageous” (безобразный, возмутительный), “repugnant” (отвратительный), “repulsive” (отталкивающий), “sickening” (тошнотворный), “terrible” (страшный, ужасный), “vile” (гнусный). Another useful word is “unspeakable” – “unspeakable acts” imply actions so awful that one is loath to even talk of them. These deeds may also be “brazen” (дерзкие). A common Russian adjective describing such acts is коварный, as in коварная изощренность террористов. While the dictionary defines коварный as “treacherous” or “perfidious”, in many contexts these may not be appropriate translations. In the given phrase, “insidious” or “fiendish” sophistication of the terrorists would successfully render the phrase’s meaning.
“Reprehensible” implies something which is both предосудительный and отвратительный – “revolting”. “Disgusting” is somewhat too colloquial for such situations. And the correct adjective to render варварский is “barbaric”, not “barbarian”, as in “barbaric bombings” or “the barbaric and sick individuals who committed these acts”.
The individual who carries out such acts is the “perpetrator”, and he ‘commits”, ‘carries out” or “perpetrates” his evil deeds. The individuals who order him to do so, заказчики or зачинщики are the ‘masterminds”, “ringleaders” or “instigators” of violence. While the word бандиты often comes up in reference to terrorists, the English word “bandits” should be avoided. A far better translation is “thug”; the пособники or приспешники of terrorists are their “henchmen” or ‘accomplices”, or “those who aid and abet terrorists”. Преступные банды террористов is better translated as “criminal gangs” than as “bands”. Но дело (“cause”) can justify the actions of any заблудившиеся (“misguided”, “deluded”) individuals, would-be martyrs (мученики) or fanatics.
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While сильный и беспощадный враг, as terrorists are often called, can be translated as a ‘strong and merciless enemy”, “ruthless” is a more idiomatic translation of беспощадный, and a very useful word to describe someone who has no scruples/moral principleswill stop at nothing/will not shrink/shirk from perpetrating any kind of terrorist act.
Вопрос о дальнейшей активизации и повышении сотрудничества в борьбе с терроризмом is the “vitally”, “critically important ” or “crucial’ issue of the continuous/continued further revitalization (“activization “ is not a good choice here) of effective cooperation in combating rettorism”. Борьба с терроризмом can be rendered in several ways: the war on terrorism/campaign against terrorism/struggle/fight against terrorism. And решение приоритетной задачи борьбы с терроризмом can be rendered as “the high(est) priority objective of resolving (not solving) the challenge/issue/problem of the fight/struggle against terrorism.”
Террористические акты, потрясшие мир, are acts which “shocked”, “stunned”, “rocked”, or “convulsed” the world, or “made the world reel”. While террористические очаги are often translated as “hotbeds” or “flashpoints” of terrorism, in some contexts these can be “strongholds” or “bastions”.
We often hear about the главное условие успеха – “the key to success” or “prerequisite for” success in the war on terrorism. Враг – «enemy/adversary/opponent” – далеко не сломлен – “has by no means/has not yet been defeated/conquered/smashed”. The forces of evil рвутся к обладанию оружием массового уничтожения – “are (desperately) trying /eager/out/to acquire weapons of mass destruction”. There are also многочисленные неопровержимые доказательства – “a great deal of/a plethora of/incontrovertible/irrefutable evidence” regarding terrorists activities.
Терроризм нужно полностью искоренить/ликвидировать can be translated as “Terrorism must be eliminated/destroyed/wiped out/ended”. This also requires putting an end to its питательная среда, or “breeding grounds”. Совместные усилия – “joint” or “common” efforts are needed to defeat the terrorists, and those involved in this struggle must “pool” or “unite” (not “share”) their efforts. What is required is a комплексный подход к противодействию терроризму. Better than “a comprehensive” approach would be “multipronged” or “multifaceted”. Also needed are решительные, сплоченные и выверенные действия международного сообщества – vigorous/resolute (much better than “firm”), united and considered actions on the part of the international community”. As the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated in his speech to the UN security Council.
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Использование методов террора ставит крест на политических амбициях тех, кто этим занимается, однозначно превращает их в преступников и подлинных изгоев. Не может быть никакого оправдания их действиям. И сами мы должны действовать в отношении их соответственно: преступники обязаны неси наказание за содеянное.
The translator here is presented with plenty of interesting possibilities. The use of terror can either “doom” or “put an end to” the political “strivings” (better than “ambitions”) of those engaged/involved in terrorism, and (“and” is necessary in English) clearly/unequivocally/stamps/marks/brands them as criminals and utter/absolute pariahs/the lowest of the low/places them beyond the pale. There can be no justification for their actions. And we must take appropriate action against them: the criminals must be punished/punishment must be meted out for their actions (or, much better) – for what they have wrought. In other words, they cannot be allowed to act безнаказанно – “with impunity”. Terrorists must not be allowed to уйти от правосудия – “to escape from justice”.
Those who укрывают террористов, “harbor/give refuge” to terrorists must also be punished. As the Foreign Minister pointed out in his speech: «Для России укрепление международной солидарности в борьбе с терроризмом – не дань политической риторике ». For Russia strengthening/consolidating international solidarity/unity in the war on/campaign/fight against terrorism is not empty rhetoric/hollow platitudes/mere political gesturing/lip service/mere verbiage. All those who are fighting against terrorism must питать надежду − harbor/cherish the hope” that terrorism will be eliminated.
The translator/interpreter must take care to keep abreast of the growing vocabulary of political, military and humanitarian terminology so frequently used in discussion of this scourge of the twenty-first century.