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TRANSLATION CHALLENGES OF LIGHT INDUSTRY AND TEXTILE
TERMINOLOGY IN ENGLISH AND KARAKALPAK LANGUAGES
Sratdinova Gulbakhar Bakhtiyarovna
Assistant-teacher of Karakalpak State University
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16741632
Abstract
. The textile and light industry fields have their own intricate
terminologies, which pose significant challenges when translated between
linguistically distant languages such as English and Karakalpak. This article
provides a detailed analysis of the linguistic, cultural, and industrial factors that
influence the translation process, focusing on terminology commonly used in
textile technology, materials, and production.
Keywords
: Textile terminology, Karakalpak language, industrial
translation, light industry, English, linguistic adaptation, technical vocabulary,
cultural equivalence
Introduction
. The textile industry is one of the oldest yet most globally
evolving sectors, and with the spread of international trade, translating textile-
related terminology becomes a crucial task. Karakalpakstan, though a region
with its own textile traditions, is experiencing increased exposure to modern
industrial textile processes and materials. Hence, the necessity for accurate
translation from English into Karakalpak is growing. However, due to linguistic
disparities, cultural incongruities, and the novelty of many terms, the process is
not straightforward. Words in English often carry connotations, industrial
standards, or historical contexts that have no direct counterparts in the
Karakalpak language. This article aims to systematically explore these
challenges and recommend feasible strategies.
To begin with, a major issue lies in the asymmetry of vocabulary. English, as
a global lingua franca, has a vast and continuously evolving lexicon of textile-
related terms, many of which are neologisms or brand-specific compounds. In
contrast, the Karakalpak lexicon is still developing in this field, leading to several
key problems:
Lack of Established Equivalents
For example, terms like:
"Spandex" – a synthetic fiber known for elasticity,
"Sericulture" – the production of silk,
"Lycra" – a trademarked name for a type of elastic fiber,
have no native equivalents in Karakalpak. In such cases, translators often
face the choice of either borrowing the word (e.g., spandeks) or creating a
descriptive phrase (e.g., sozılmalı sintetikalıq jip). However, descriptive phrases
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can result in overly technical or unnatural constructions, which may hinder
comprehension, especially for general audiences.
Many English textile terms are polysemous, meaning they have multiple
meanings depending on context. Take the word "finish": In general use, it means
to complete something. In textiles, "fabric finish" refers to a process applied to
enhance texture or durability. If translated simply as «juwmaqlaw» (to finish),
the technical nuance is lost. It must be contextually adapted to something like
«material jùzesin tegislew processi» (the process of surface treatment) [6, 1-28].
Beyond semantics, grammatical structure creates another layer of difficulty.
English tends to use compact noun compounds, such as:
"moisture-wicking material",
"colorfast synthetic fibers",
"non-shrink wool blend".
These are difficult to directly translate into Karakalpak due to its
agglutinative morphology, which prefers analytic expressions. The result is
longer, more complex phrases like:
"ıǵallıqtı shıǵarıwshı material,"
"reńli sintetikalıq talshıqlar,"
"Keltermeytuģın jún aralaspası."
While these translations are technically accurate, they may sound
cumbersome and reduce readability, especially in marketing or instructional
materials.
Another significant issue in translation arises from cultural and industrial
mismatches between English-speaking countries and Karakalpakstan.
Karakalpak textile heritage includes elements such as:
Kórpeshe tigiw (quilting and padding),
Jip iyiriw (traditional yarn making),
Sawkele bezew (headdress decoration), [5].
which have no functional counterparts in industrial English terminology.
Similarly, English terms like "digital textile printing," "technical textiles," or
"nanofibers" often do not correspond to any existing cultural concept in
Karakalpak. This leads to a conceptual translation gap where words must be
explained rather than translated.
Karakalpakstan is in a developmental stage regarding modern textile
manufacturing. Many processes and materials are imported, and so are the
terms. Without institutional standardization or formal training in industrial
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translation, these terms often appear inconsistently in texts, sometimes in
Russian, Uzbek, or a mix of transliterations.
To address these multifaceted challenges, a combination of strategies is
needed. Below are several practical recommendations:
Using loanwords with descriptive qualifiers can help balance clarity and
authenticity. Example: "Acrylic yarn" → akril jip (zamanagóy sintetika)
Educational institutions and textile industry stakeholders should
collaborate to create bilingual or trilingual glossaries (English–Karakalpak–
Uzbek). These would:
Provide standardized equivalents,
Explain unfamiliar terms,
Reduce confusion in educational materials and product labeling [1, 3-25].
Training translators in technical fields is essential. Workshops and short-
term courses focusing on industrial terminology, textile production processes,
and cultural adaptation would significantly improve translation quality.
In instructional or promotional contexts, adding visual diagrams, process
illustrations, and usage examples can complement translation, especially for
terms with no equivalents.
English Term
Karakalpak Translation
Translation Note
Synthetic fiber
Sintetikalıq jip
Commonly
borrowed;
understandable
across Turkic
languages
Fabric finishing
material jùzesin tegislew
processi
Needs contextual
clarification
Embroidery thread
Naģıslap tigiw jibi
Traditional term;
close to cultural
context
Flame-retardant
textile
Órtke shıdamlı material
New concept;
requires technical
awareness
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Textile printing
technique
Materialģa basıp
shıģarıw usılı
May need visual
clarification in
educational settings
Conclusion
. In conclusion, the translation of textile and light industry
terms between English and Karakalpak is not merely a linguistic task but a
socio-cultural and industrial endeavor. It requires sensitivity to linguistic form,
awareness of industrial processes, and adaptation to the cultural reality of the
target audience. While Karakalpak is rich in traditional textile lexicon, modern
technical vocabulary is still evolving.
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