Features of the semantics of adjectives of color in the Russian and English language picture of the world: the problem of translation

Dzhguburiya Ketevan Kahaberovna Student, Department of Linguistics and Translation Studies, Moscow City Pedagogical University 105064, Russia, Moscow, lane. Small State-owned, 5B keti.dg.00@mail.ru

The linguistic picture of the world reflects the national extralinguistic and linguistic experience experienced within the framework of an established language system, however, it fades into the background in comparison with the conceptual picture of the world, in which mental structures are formed that preserve the moments of experiencing experience in a certain chronotope. In connection with this experience, new signs and connections arise between the signs of objects and phenomena of the surrounding world, and only at the next stage the subject selects linguistic units to express new knowledge, and this embodiment occurs within the framework of the language that the subject uses. Color is one of the ways of understanding reality.  The color picture of the world finds expression in individual lexemes, stable expressions, phraseological and terminological combinations of color designation ^[1]. Perception of the color spectrum is a key way of cognition of the material world and at the moment of the development of science there is a special interest in the study of this phenomenon.

The color spectrum is a continuum that is formed by changing the light wave. The real changes affecting the wavelength of light are perceived by the human eye as different colors. The distinctive properties of colors that allow them to occupy a special place in the color spectrum are called color tones. Along with the color tone, the distinctive features of the color are brightness and saturation.

The ability to distinguish colors makes it possible to obtain and process a large amount of information about reality. As noted, color has a distinctive function that helps to distinguish one material object from another. This function is expressed in the presence of a large number of similar objects, in which the color becomes relevant from a linguistic point of view and is described by linguistic means ^[2].

According to A. Vezhbitskaya, color is a meaningful element of culture that characterizes social attitudes, moral concepts and systematizes objects ^[3]. Indeed, the color vision of the world of the people is formed with the help of values, customs, traditions and historical events that are inherent in the collective. In this regard, in different cultures, the concept of color is a special system of meanings and meanings.

S.G. Ter-Minasova also recognizes the existence of a color picture of the world (along with a linguistic one) and notes that the color picture of the world is part of the cultural picture of the world, which is specific and varies among different peoples. In addition, the color picture of the world can be considered as "a reflection of the real picture of the world through the prism of knowledge obtained with the help of sensory organs refracted in the consciousness of an individual or a whole collective ^[4].

Thus, the linguistic picture of the world, as a language system, also includes a color picture of the world, which is realized in the form of color meanings (stable phrases, phraseological and terminological units, etc.) Color, as one of the ways of understanding reality, makes it possible to obtain and process a large amount of information. The color picture of the world consists of the culturally specific semantics of the units of color designation and considers the entire color space as a system of colors and shades.

For linguistic conceptualization of the color space, it is generally accepted to use lexical means of conceptualization. These means are directly related to color, since a person represents this phenomenon verbally. The role of linguistic means at the lexical level is decisive in the formation of the concept. A complete description of the space can be obtained on the basis of cognitive-semantic analysis of adjectives characterizing the colors of the spectrum.

Analysis of the description of the semantic structure of the basic adjectives of color in Russian and EnglishAt the first stage of the study, the units indicating the color spectrum were selected.

So, in the Russian language, there are seven basic colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, blue, purple and the basic (achromatic) colors black and white.At the next stage, the dictionary definitions of these words from explanatory dictionaries were analyzed in order to determine the semantic features of the lexemes under consideration and identify relevant semantic features that delimit their meanings – for example, highlighting the figurative meaning of an adjective, ways of describing it in lexicographic articles, etc.

The results of the analysis of lexicographic articles did not reveal differences in the representation of adjectives of color designation in the two pictures of the world. So, for example, when describing the adjective red, lexicographic articles largely coincide: the colors of blood / having the color of blood, moreover, the adjective is used in conceptualizing the political sphere represented in two pictures of the world, cf.: relating to revolutionary activity, to the Soviet system, to the Red Army and having very left-wing political opinions; having more people who vote for the Republican candidate than the Democratic one.

Definitions of the adjective orange in both Russian and English are represented by logical circles, due to the fact that the meaning of this color is transmitted through another color, cf.: thick yellow with a reddish tinge ^[5] / a bright color between red and yellow ^[6]. Note that in lexicographic descriptions, the word yellow is explained through correlation with the color (the so-called ostensive definition) of foods of a similar color: the color of egg yolk / having the color of lemons or butter. In addition, both dictionaries indicate the meaning of the present adjective describing the sign of race: with yellow skin / an offensive word used to describe the light brown skin of people from some East Asian countries. At the same time, in the linguistic picture of the English world, the use of this adjective in relation to people is inappropriate and taboo (the taboo litter is indicated in the dictionary).

The description of the adjective green by indicating the color of grass and plants is presented in two dictionaries, cf.: the colors of grass, foliage / having the color of grass or the leaves of most plants and trees. Note that dictionaries distinguish figurative meanings of adjectives – inexperienced: inexperienced by youth / young and without experience; movement of groups engaged in the fight against environmental destruction: a democratic movement, one of the main principles of which is the struggle for the harmony of man with nature, for the preservation of the environment / connected with the protection of the environment; supporting the protection of the environment as a political principle.

When describing the adjective white, the authors of dictionaries refer to the color of snow: the color of snow or chalk. We observe the same situation when describing the English word white: having the colour of fresh snow or of milk. In addition, both dictionaries noted the meaning of adjectives as a sign of race, cf.: with light skin / belonging to or connected with a race of people who have pale skin. When describing the words black / black, the meanings of these adjectives are contrasted with antonyms – light (white), cf.: dark, in contrast. what-n. a lighter one, called white / without light; completely dark. The figurative meaning is gloomy, dreary, heavy / full of anger or hate or without hope; very depressing is also presented in the English and Russian dictionary. Further, two linguistic worldviews use this adjective to denote a person's race, cf.: with dark skin, black / belonging to a race of people who have dark skin; connected with black people.

Cognitive structure of the studied adjectives Let's also consider how Russian stable phrases are transmitted in English.

First of all, it is necessary to divide the considered units containing the color component into three clusters: 1) units that characterize color; 2) phraseological units; 3) terminological units.

Adjectives that characterize color do not cause difficulties in translation and are translated into English using direct correspondences, while terminological and phraseological combinations that include a color component cause difficulties for translators.

Let's consider how the studied adjectives are represented in the English language picture of the world by the example of phraseological combinations. For example, when translating the phrase red price, no correlate was found that includes the color designation: the most sb'd pay and to be worth, cf.: Your dog has ten rubles red price, and even with you in addition – Ten rubles is the most I'd pay for your dog, with yourself into the bargain or I had to pay a hundred for this old tub, which in the States the red price is ten dollars. – I had to dig up a hundred for this old tub, which ain't worth ten down in the States. In other words, translators practically convey this attributive phrase metonymically using a predicative construction with an English verb. The translation of the phrase red word is also ambiguous. This is evidenced by the example of this is a lie, and he cannot fail to understand it, no matter how convenient it is for the "red word". – This is a canard that he knows better than to pass on, no matter how rhetorically convenient, which illustrates the transfer on a metonymic basis, highlighting the original value as part of an attribute chain. Translation of the sentence Here you will wait until you are expelled from the institute, and all for the sake of a red word. – Soon you'll be thrown out of the Institute – and all for a few fine words is more adequate due to the fact that the translation sentence highlights the appropriate meaning for this context – beautiful, good, glorious, but also loses connection with the color characteristic. Phraseology (to pass) the red thread unfolds during translation, while losing the indication of color as one of the main components of this expression: along with this, I note that in the legacy of space shuttle flights, the actions of people are a red thread. – At the same time, when contemplating the shuttle's legacy, what stands out is the human manipulations. Thus, when translating, the connection with the color representation of an object or event is lost.

The phrase rainy day finds an established correlate in English – rainy day. Translation with its use is quite frequent, cf.: and by that time you had not been able to save a little for a rainy day? – Had you, up to this time, been able to put aside any money for a rainy day?

Phraseology in black and white (written) is translated into English by the expression (spelled) in black and white: I recently found an interesting document in the library — a report by Colonel Bibikov from 1826, in which it was written in black and white: "I follow the writer P. as much as possible. – Not long ago I came upon an interesting document in the library — a report from Colonel Bibikov dated 1826, in which it was spelled out in black and white: I keep a close eye on the writer Pushkin, insofar as possible. It is interesting to rethink the correlation between white and black: in the Russian language, the contrast of colors is emphasized, their disparity, with which one can distinguish one color from another, whereas in the English version these concepts are presented as equivalent. Sometimes translators reject the figurative meaning, revealing its meaning: I also found that it is written in black and white in our laws. – I also find it very clearly written in our laws.

The phraseology of the white crow is translated into English using the noun maverick, for example: in fact, it is quite possible to say that all great scientists are white crows, each in his own way. – In fact, it could easily be argued that all great scientists are mavericks in some way. It seems that the use of this noun in this context is quite justified, due to the fact that it emphasizes dissent, identity. Along with this, translators also resort to the use of metaphors when translating phraseology, cf.: He is a white crow, he is an iron mask, he is the last defender. – He is the lone eagle, the man of mystery, the last defender. In English, exclusivity and loneliness are emphasized, while in the Russian language picture of the world, brightness is emphasized, contrasting with what is traditionally expected in the case of describing a crow as a dark-colored creature. Apparently, the basis of the phraseology of the white crow is a sign of individuality, a sharp separation from society, which is often perceived as something ambiguous, sometimes negative.

Next, let's look at how the selected terminological combinations are presented in English. The Russian quite neutral phrase yellow race corresponds to the full correlate in English, but in the translated version is extremely offensive. For this reason, translators resort to using the word oriental to convey the meaning of oriental culture; a resident of the East. This trend is observed in the following example: I would understand that I would have to admit that I served in Vietnam, where I killed exclusively representatives of the yellow race. – I would have had to admit that I had served in Vietnam, killing nothing but Orientals. The phrase black race or black, black to denote a person's race was previously in most cases transmitted as black man / woman / person: A black man threw a pillow with a golden poodle embroidered on it under Margarita's feet. – Some black man threw a pillow under Margarita's feet embroidered with a golden poodle.The participle colored in the role of definition is often used as a correlate to the Russian black or black, cf.: this is a black guy working in a legal office and doing additional work. – He is a coloured boy who works in a law office and does odd jobs. However, political correctness is beginning to play a key role in the modern world, so in the English language picture of the world, the meaning accentuating the color of a person's skin, if we are talking about a resident of the United States, is often expressed by a combination of substantive adjectives African-American.

The name of the viral disease yellow fever does not pose any particular problems when translated into English, in all the cases considered, the only correspondence of this phrase is yellow fever. This can be seen in the following examples: unlike yellow fever or malaria, tuberculosis is not carried by insects. – TB,unlike yellow fever or malaria,is not transmitted by insects. This phraseology is based on metonymy, since one of the symptoms of this disease is jaundice staining of the skin.

The name of the mental state associated with alcohol abuse, delirium tremens, is translated by the English special medical term delirium: it is said that in delirium tremens the patient sees an obsessive object, mostly dark, which suddenly changes its shape and position. – They say that in delirium tremens you see a fixed object,preferably dark,which suddenly changes shape and position. Note that the figurative meaning of this phraseology is based on metonymy. Thus, with prolonged alcohol consumption, peripheral blood circulation is often disrupted, which leads to a change in complexion. The pale complexion of the patient is the basis on which metonymy is based on the part/whole model. In addition, the basis of metonymic transfer can also be the color of vodka as a common alcoholic beverage, the abuse of which mainly leads to this mental state. Thus, the transparent color of vodka and a number of other strong alcoholic beverages appears to be an unfilled color, and the adjective white is often used when describing them.

The translation of the stable expression white salary causes some difficulties. To select a successful correlate, it is necessary to have an idea of the meaning of this expression, namely, the fully official income of employees after taxes, which is specified in the employment contract. Apparently, the most successful correlate of this term, which fully conveys its meaning, is the phrase formed using the metonymic transfer take-home pay. We believe that the selected stable expression is based on a metaphor, due to the fact that the adjective white is synonymous with the adjective pure, transparent. So, a white, or official, salary is an official salary from which all types of taxes and contributions are paid in accordance with an employment contract, i.e. wages are paid according to a scheme that is understandable and legal for the state and the employee. In this regard, we can refer to the stable expression gray salary, which also presents difficulties in translation. Various sources and corpora offer several translations of this expression, among them: illegal salary, under the table, off the books and cash in hand. The expression gray salary represents the payment of labor with which the employer does not pay taxes in full. Such a scheme seems incomprehensible, unclear, confusing for the state due to the fact that the employer, and by agreement with the employee, resorts to illegal methods of remuneration. Therefore, it can be argued that this type of salary is vague, confusing, and the highlighted expression is based on a metaphor.

The result of the study is to determine the ways of verbalization of the color spectrum in two linguistic pictures of the world. At the same time, the analysis of discursive examples makes it possible to identify problems in the transmission of adjectives of color meanings.

As it was highlighted, the units characterizing the color do not present any particular difficulties in translation, due to the fact that the fields of the colors of the spectrum in Russian and English coincide and thus represent complete coincidences that are characterized by similar values. Thus, there is a high level of frequency of translation of adjectives by direct English correspondences (green – green, blue – blue, orange – orange, etc.).

Terminological combinations often correspond to English expressions that preserve the semantic element that introduces information about color, i.e. terminological correlates (yellow fever – yellow fever). Along with this, there is also a transfer of real units using English terms, in which there is no semantics of color (delirium tremens). Thus, real units can also present a translation difficulty in the absence of correlating stable terms in two linguistic worldviews.

Apparently, the class that presents the greatest translation difficulties is phraseological units and stable combinations. When translating combinations of this cluster, there is an "unfolding" of the meaning, semantics of the expression using structural and lexical substitutions. In addition, in the English language picture of the world there is a large number of combinations with similar meanings, which can also be used when translating phraseological units, despite the fact that the element characterizing the color is lost.

The derived data will be in demand in lexicographic practice when compiling new bilingual and explanatory dictionaries, as well as in teaching (in courses of intercultural communication, linguoculturology) and in translation practice.