Translating texts on military monuments: a view through the Ecological Model of Translation

Abstract

Lvshunkou (historically known as Port Arthur) is a significant port in China with a rich history intertwined with the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars. Over different periods, it was controlled by Japan, the Russian Empire, and later the USSR, leaving a profound imprint on its cultural heritage. One of its key monuments is the “Victory Tower in Lvshunkou,” constructed in 1955 to commemorate the triumph over fascism. Th is monument symbolizes the joint struggles of China and Russia across different historical periods. In this study, the inscriptions on the monument in Russian and Chinese are examined using the Ecological Model of Translation. Linguistic features such as conciseness and solemnity are analyzed, alongside the role of translation in conveying historical and cultural information. Special emphasis is placed on linguistic, cultural, communicative, and aesthetic dimensions, enriching the evaluation criteria for translation quality within the Ecological Model (degree of integration, adaptation, and selection). The research demonstrates that translating monument texts requires consideration of historical context and cultural nuances. Through the analysis of the Victory Tower inscriptions, the study illustrates how translators balance semantic accuracy with linguistic adaptability. It also highlights the importance of fostering proper ecological ethics in translating historical texts. Employing comparative and analytical methods within the ecological translation framework, the study reveals translation’s critical role in shaping historical memory and preserving cultural heritage.