Special Techniques in Translation of Leaflets and Radio Broadcasting Programs

Abstract

The article focuses on the peculiarities of translation of indoctrination materials (leaflets and radio broadcast programs) aimed at soldiers and the population of Nazi Germany during the Great Patriotic War. Based on the language and style analysis of original materials, we define grammatical, syntactical and stylistic transformations in translation intended to convey the meaning of combat documents which exert influence over different demographic and social groups. While analyzing the discourse of verbal persuasion in the armed forces of Wehrmacht through oral and printed propaganda, we emphasize the translator’s capability to use language means, particularly epithets, allegories, antitheses, metaphors, hyperbolae, inversions, etc., to affect soldiers’ feelings and emotional state. A thorough study of indoctrination documents allows the authors to suggest a set of necessary requirements for translators who work with leaflets and broadcast programs.

References

Bernikov, N. Oruzhiem pravdy [With Weapons of Truth], Moscow: Voenizdat, 1970 (in Russian).

Lejnbarzher, P. Psixologicheskaya vojna [Psychological Warfare], Moscow: Voenizdat, 1961 (in Russian).

70 let Nacionalnomu komitetu “Svobodnaya Germaniya” [70th Anniversary of “Free Germany” National Committee], Sbornik materialov nauchnoj konferencii. Moscow: Izdatelstvo im. Sabashnikovyx. 2013, E. Torsukov “Pravnuk Bismarka o NKSG” (in Russian).Buchbender, Ortwin, Schuh, Horst. Die Waffe, die auf die Seele zielt. Kriegführung 1939–1945. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, 1988.

Burtzew, M. Einsichten, Militärverlag der DDR, Berlin, 1985.

Sie kämpften für Deutschland. Verlag des Ministeriums für Nationale Verteidgung, Berlin, 1959.

Kirchner, Klaus. Flugblattpropaganda im 2. Weltkrieg. Flugblätter aus Deutschland 1941, Verlag D+C, Erlangen, 1986.

Kirchner, Klaus. Flugblätter. Psychologishe Kriegführung im Zweiten Weltkrieg in Europa, München, Carl Hanser Verlag, 1974.

Flugblätter des Nationalkomitees Freies Deutschland. Staatsbibliothek Preusischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin, 1989.

Heinrich Graft von Einsiedel, Stalingrad und die Verantwortung des Soldaten, Verlagsbuchhandlung, GmbH, München, 1993.