DENOTING "ON DENOTING": PHILOSOPHICAL REMARKS BY A TRANSLATOR

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Abstract

The article presents the translator’s commentary of the first Ukrainian translation of Bertrand Russell’s “On Denoting” (1905).

The first part of the article examines the conceptual and philosophical significance of the translated text. Particular attention is devoted to Russell’s theory of denoting (the theory of descriptions), developed to clarify the logical structure of descriptive sentences in natural language. The study analyzes the notion of the denoting phrase and its role in the construction of propositional meaning. Denoting phrase considered as a predicative part of a sentence. The study explores the function of determiners and quantifiers in the formation of definite, indefinite, and “empty” descriptions, as well as the distinction between primary and secondary occurrence. The epistemological and ontological dimensions of Russell’s theory are also discussed, especially the distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description, which demonstrates how linguistic description supplements and extends simple apprehensional cognition. The article highlights the fundamental difference between Russell’s approach and logical positivist interpretations, particularly A. J. Ayer’s account. To illustrate the continuing relevance of Russell’s theory within contemporary philosophy of language, the discussion engages with interpretations and developments proposed by David Kaplan, Saul Kripke, Nathan Salmon, Stephen Schiffer, and Stephen Neale.

The second part provides a detailed justification of the translation choices adopted for the article’s key philosophical terms. It outlines a methodological preference for the transliteration of specialized technical vocabulary lacking precise Ukrainian equivalents. Particular attention is given to the translation of such terms as denoting, denoting phrase, meaning, proposition, acquaintance, and primary/secondary occurrence, as well as to the rendering of the English articles “a” and “the.” The study seeks to establish a terminological foundation for future translations and scholarly engagement with Russell’s philosophical legacy within Ukrainian-language philosophical discourse.