Doslovn

Doslovn is a term occasionally encountered in discussions of language and translation, used to signal a literal or verbatim approach. It is not established in standard dictionaries and is typically regarded as informal, a clipping or misspelling of doslovný (Czech and Slovak for “literal”) or doslovně (“literally”).

Etymology and forms: The root doslov- comes from doslovný, meaning literal or verbatim. The form doslovn is not a widely accepted standard spelling in formal language, though it may appear in casual writing, on forums, or in short notes where diacritics are omitted. Its meaning, when used, generally aligns with notions of strict adherence to wording rather than to sense or naturalness.

Usage and interpretation: In translation and linguistic discussions, doslovn is used to refer to a stance that prioritizes precise wording and form over fluency or readability in the target language. Critics argue that a strictly doslovný approach can produce awkward or non-idiomatic results, while proponents see value in preserving lexical fidelity and structural features of the source.

Relationship to related terms: Doslovn is related to doslovný (literal) and doslovně (literally). It sits opposite to more dynamic or free translation concepts, such as volný překlad in Czech or Slovak, which emphasize sense-for-sense rendering and naturalness in the target language.

See also: literal translation, word-for-word translation, translation studies, doslovný, doslovně.