Abstract: The article looks at the question whether the concept of translation unit might apply to the sphere of machine translation and whether the size of the unit influences the quality of translation. While modern machine translation systems offer an acceptable level of quality, a number of problems mainly related to the structural organization of the text remain unresolved, hence the question posed in the paper. The article offers a review of modern readings of the concept and pays special attention to the question whether the scope of the term changes depending on whether the object of research is the target text or the translation process. The paper also provides a quick look on the research methods for both text-oriented and process-oriented approaches, such as comparative analysis of language pairs and Think Aloud Protocol. Based on a review of existing machine translation models, each of them is analyzed to answer the question whether a unit of translation can be defined for a given system and what its size is. It is concluded that a unit of translation can be viewed as either a unit of analysis or a unit of processing with respect to text-oriented and process-oriented perspectives on to the study of translation. The unit of translation has a dynamic character and influences the quality of the target text. In machine translation, the unit of translation as a unit of analysis is not applicable for systems based on probabilistic non-linguistic methods. For rule-based machine translation systems, both readings of the unit of translation concept are applicable, but hardly go beyond a single sentence. Accordingly, at least one type of translation problem – intra-textual relations resolutions – remains largely unaddressed in the present state of affairs in machine translation.

Abstract: The article presents the author's experience in developing an ESP (English for Specific Purposes) course for International Relations and Regional Studies majors and looks at the theoretical background for LSP course design. Choosing between terminological and discursive approach to course design in the sphere of humanities, the authors of the course favour the latter. The article also provides a quick look at an integrative approach to mastering English for Special Purposes offered by Western linguistics (CLIL-approach, Content and Language Integrated Learning), which implies combining the study of language and specialty discipline within the framework of a single course. Although the idea raises obvious interest, the authors of the course opt for a more traditional approach. The selection of texts for the course was subordinate to its main objectives. Since the course is centered upon productive competences – mainly speaking – its authors opted for a factual rather than analytical type of texts as more motivational and easier to discuss. Another chosen way to raise motivation is through the use of illustrations, video and audio materials. A second problem to address was that of authenticity and scientific objectivity of the selected texts, since some of the well-established views on the subject matter in social sciences may differ across countries. The number and types of activities are determined by specific needs of the learners. Particular emphasis is put on identifying and interpreting metaphors in the scientific discourse of humanities.

Abstract: The article describes the experience of author's participation in the development of ESP course (English for Specific Purposes) for students majoring in International Relations and Regional Studies, as well as examines the theoretical prerequisites for creation of similar courses. Having compared the terminological and discursive approaches towards development of the course in the sphere of humanities, preference is given to the latter. The article analyzes the offered by foreign linguistics integrative (CLIL) approach towards learning English language for special purposes, which implies combining the study of language and specialty discipline within the framework of a single course. Although the idea raises obvious interest, the authors of the course choose a rather traditional approach. The texts underlying the course are subordinate to its key objectives. Since the course is centered upon productive competences – mainly speaking – it predetermined the choice of factographic type of texts over analytical. Another method for increasing motivation is the use of illustrations, video and audio materials. The article also considers the problem of authenticity and scientific objectivity of the selected texts, since the views established in the Russian and foreign humanities may differ. The number and types of activities are determined by the specific needs of the students. Special emphasis is placed on determination and interpretation of metaphors in the scientific discourse of humanities.

Abstract: This article on the example of specific language material analyzes the difficulties causes by the need to translate the text as a semantic whole, as well as outline the methods to avoid them. The texts is viewed from two perspectives – as a coherent fragment of speech, and as a speech of particular style. The author carries out comparative analysis of the forms of expression inherent to the texts of scientific and formal business styles in the Russian and English languages; highlights the elements relevant for translation; and classifies them based on nature of their correlation. The article also considers the problems of achieving coherence in translation of the text. The conclusion is made on the need for additional translation transformations substantiated not so much by discrepancies in the structure of two languages, but as by belonging of the original text to a particular speech style. The author lays emphasis on coherence and stylistic uniqueness as the elements relevant for translation of the text as a semantic whole. Such transformations as translation conversion, inter-level transformations, and omission are proposed for translating deverbal nouns in scientific and formal business texts. In the aspect of achieving coherence in translation, the author determines such problems as sentence-level topic model and preservation of co-reference. The article can be valuable for translators and in teaching translation techniques.