LINGUISTIC APPROACHES TO DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SKILLS AT MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Abstract. This article examines the linguistic features of translating medical scientific texts and documentation in the context of the globalization of healthcare systems. It demonstrates that medical translation is a complex type of professional translation activity, as it combines linguistic, terminological, cognitive, and pragmatic aspects and directly affects the quality of professional communication and patient safety. The main theoretical approaches to understanding translation as a linguistic process and a result of intercultural interaction are discussed. The specificity of medical terminology as a standardized lexical system characterized by its international nature, logical structure, neutrality, and unambiguity is analyzed. Key difficulties faced by medical students when translating professional texts are identified, including inaccurate use of terms, grammatical and syntactic errors, misinterpretation of abbreviations, and the influence of context on translation choices. The main types of “false friends” in English-Ukrainian medical translation are classified, and their role in causing semantic misinterpretations is discussed. It is shown that complex grammatical structures in English medical texts complicate the determination of logical stress and require the application of translation transformations. The article emphasizes the need to consider structural shifts, equivalence, and pragmatic completeness in medical translation. The article concludes that a comprehensive methodological approach to developing the translation competencies of medical students is advisable, involving systematic mastery of medical terminology, translation theory knowledge, and the development of practical skills in working with professional sources.