Abstract

In spite of the large literature dealing with naval architecture language, the pragmatic features of this type of discourse or translator’s acculturation that occurs in translating naval architecture texts have not been systematically studied. Given the fact that most naval architecture translations are mission and audience driven, effective intercultural communication can be an even more important concept. In the acquisition and translation of this type of language, the translator’s ability to identify himself with the author and field are of paramount importance since the specific terminology, discourse and pragmatic features  pose great difficulties for non-native speakers, students, scientists and hence, for translators. The aim of this paper is to explain how the translator’s acculturation does occur, how the translation benefits from it, and why it sometimes requires not only a total replacement of the original text with more culturally compatible compensations, but it may also require changes as drastic as replacing the text with photographs or videos. Effective intercultural communication and translation may require “acculturation” rather than mere translation of naval architectural terms.