Semantics and Equivalence Antinomy in Translation: The Case of Russian-Turkish Translation of Chekhov’s “Misery”

Semantics and equivalence are two fundamental concepts in the disciplines of linguistics and translation, and they are phenomena that require particular attention in the translation process. This article addresses the possibility that dictionary meanings of words may be misleading in achieving semantic equivalence between the source and target languages during translation, and that selecting from among dictionary meanings in both the source and target languages may constitute an issue that requires additional consideration. Since words can be polysemous in dictionaries, they may also undergo various shifts, such as acquiring figurative meanings, within context. The study presents conceptual analyses of semantics and equivalence and offers practical comparisons based on Turkish translations of examples taken from the original Russian text of “Misery” by Anton Chekhov. This comparative analysis aims to reveal the points at which word semantics found in dictionaries and equivalence diverge in certain cases by relating theoretical inferences to practical application. The study highlights the subtle differences between these two concepts in the context of translation practices and linguistic analysis.