Lost in Translation: Medieval and Modern Heraldic Vocabulary

The article discusses obstacles appearing before a Russian translator while working with modern and medieval texts on heraldry. The cases analyzed in the article show not only the most peculiar mistakes but the circumstances of their appearance. First of all it investigates the process of historical development of heraldic lexis and grammar, translation of which always require vast accompanying explanatory texts. The author suggests some ways of solving disputable situations, based on personal experience of linguistic analysis and translation of medieval rolls of arms, heraldic treatises and romans. In the whole, it outlines general difference of blazon traditions.