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THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN ENGLISH-UZBEK TRANSLATION: CHALLENGES
AND STRATEGIES
Xomidjonova Gavharoy Xayrullo qizi
Bachelor student of Fergana State University, Faculty of
Philology and Language Teaching: English Language major
Annotation:
This article explores the intricate relationship between language and culture in the
context of English-Uzbek translation. It analyzes the most common cultural barriers
encountered by translators and the techniques they apply to overcome them. The paper
emphasizes the significance of cultural competence in achieving accurate and meaningful
translation and examines how cultural elements such as idioms, metaphors, customs, humor,
and social norms affect the translation process. Particular attention is given to the strategies that
professional translators use when dealing with culturally loaded texts and how these choices
impact the target audience’s understanding. Examples from literature, media, and real-life
communication are included to highlight practical implications.
Keywords:
cultural translation, English-Uzbek translation, cultural equivalence, translation
strategies, idioms, metaphors, sociolinguistics, localization, pragmatics
Language and culture are inseparably intertwined. Language reflects the culture of a people,
while culture shapes the meanings and nuances embedded within the language. In translation,
especially between languages as structurally and culturally different as English and Uzbek, this
interdependence becomes a source of both richness and complexity. Translation is not merely a
linguistic process but a cultural act. Translators are cultural mediators who bridge the gaps
between different ways of thinking, living, and expressing reality. One of the fundamental
challenges in English-Uzbek translation lies in achieving cultural equivalence. Cultural
equivalence refers to the extent to which a translated text conveys the same cultural
connotations, associations, and functions as the original. Due to the cultural distance between
English-speaking and Uzbek-speaking communities, achieving this equivalence often requires
creative adaptation rather than literal translation. Consider idioms and proverbs. English is rich
in idiomatic expressions, many of which lack direct equivalents in Uzbek. For example, the
idiom “kick the bucket” meaning “to die” cannot be translated literally into Uzbek without
losing its idiomatic meaning. A translator must instead use an Uzbek expression with a similar
pragmatic effect, such as “jon bermoq.” This illustrates the translator’s role in preserving
meaning rather than form. Another cultural challenge arises in the translation of humor. Humor
is deeply culture-specific, often based on wordplay, irony, or social norms that may not be
shared by the target culture. Translating British sarcasm or American puns into Uzbek demands
not only linguistic skill but a deep understanding of both cultures’ comedic traditions. Strategies
such as substitution, paraphrasing, or even omission may be necessary to maintain
communicative function. Literature presents a more nuanced arena for cultural translation.
When translating English novels into Uzbek, the translator must navigate references to
Western customs, institutions, holidays, and interpersonal norms. For example, the concept of
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“Thanksgiving” has no cultural equivalent in Uzbekistan. Translators must decide whether to
explain the holiday, replace it with a local equivalent, or retain the original term and risk
confusion. Each choice has implications for the reader’s experience. Similarly, the translation
of personal names and titles poses cultural challenges. English often uses first names informally,
while Uzbek favors more formal address, especially in public discourse. Thus, translating
dialogue or correspondence requires adjustments in tone and formality to align with Uzbek
sociolinguistic norms. Another area of difficulty is metaphors, which are often culture-bound.
An English metaphor such as “time is money” reflects Western capitalist values that may not
resonate in Uzbek culture in the same way.
Direct translation may be possible, but the underlying worldview must be considered. In
contrast, religious references, which are abundant in Uzbek culture, may require clarification
when translating into English for audiences unfamiliar with Islamic traditions. Localization is
an important translation strategy that involves adapting a message to the cultural context of the
target audience. In English-Uzbek translation, localization includes adjusting dates, units of
measurement, currencies, and other culturally specific markers.
This ensures that the message is not only understood but also culturally appropriate. Failure
to localize may lead to misinterpretation or alienation. In audiovisual translation, such as
dubbing or subtitling English films into Uzbek, cultural adaptation is especially important.
Films often depict lifestyles, values, and speech patterns unfamiliar to Uzbek audiences.
Translators must strike a balance between preserving the authenticity of the original and
making it relatable to viewers.
For instance, slang expressions or insults may require creative substitution to avoid offense
while retaining emotional impact. In the realm of education, translating English textbooks into
Uzbek presents challenges related to cultural content. Examples, case studies, and scenarios
must be relevant to Uzbek students’ experiences. This may involve replacing culturally distant
content with more familiar examples or providing explanatory notes. Cultural adaptation in this
context supports effective learning and cross-cultural competence. Pragmatics, the study of
language in use, is also crucial in cultural translation. Translators must understand not only
what is said but what is meant in context. Politeness strategies, speech acts, and indirect
communication vary between English and Uzbek. For instance, English may employ direct
requests (“Can you pass the salt?”), while Uzbek may prefer more indirect forms (“Agar tuz
bo‘lsa, olsam bo‘ladimi?”). Misinterpreting these pragmatic elements can lead to
communication breakdown. Intercultural competence is thus a prerequisite for effective
translation. Translators must be bicultural as well as bilingual, aware of cultural taboos, values,
and expectations. Training in translation studies increasingly includes cultural studies,
anthropology, and pragmatics to prepare translators for real-world demands.
Translation strategies vary depending on the text type, purpose, and audience. Vinay and
Darbelnet’s model identifies strategies such as borrowing, calque, literal translation,
transposition, modulation, equivalence, and adaptation. In English-Uzbek translation,
adaptation and modulation are frequently used to achieve functional equivalence. Adaptation
allows for the replacement of a culturally unfamiliar element with a more familiar one. For
instance, translating “baseball” into Uzbek may involve substituting it with “kurash”
(traditional wrestling) in metaphorical contexts. This preserves the function while changing the
form. Modulation involves changing the point of view, such as translating “he broke her heart”
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as “u uning yuragini ranjitdi,” reflecting a different metaphorical structure. Challenges also
arise in translating legal and official documents where cultural neutrality and precision are
paramount. Translators must avoid cultural bias and maintain formal equivalence. This often
involves extensive research and consultation with experts. In business and marketing,
translation must appeal to local tastes and values. Slogans, brand names, and advertisements are
often culture-loaded and require creative rewriting rather than direct translation.
For example, an English slogan emphasizing individualism may not resonate in a collectivist
Uzbek society. Translators must craft messages that align with local values while preserving
brand identity. Technology has both facilitated and complicated cultural translation. Machine
translation tools like Google Translate often fail to account for cultural nuances, producing
literal but awkward results. Human translators remain essential for culturally sensitive tasks.
However, computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools can aid consistency and efficiency when
used appropriately. Code-switching, or the mixing of languages within communication, is
another phenomenon relevant to English-Uzbek translation. In urban Uzbekistan, English
loanwords and phrases are increasingly common, especially among youth. Translators must
decide whether to retain such elements or replace them with Uzbek equivalents, depending on
the target audience. Globalization has increased the demand for culturally competent translation.
As English continues to dominate international communication, the need to translate English
texts into culturally appropriate Uzbek is greater than ever. This includes everything from social
media content to government publications and academic literature. The role of the translator has
thus expanded from language technician to intercultural communicator. Ethical considerations
also play a role in cultural translation. Translators must avoid imposing their own cultural
biases or censoring culturally sensitive content.
They must also respect the integrity of the source text while adapting it for the target culture.
Striking this balance requires not only skill but professional ethics. Training programs for
translators should emphasize ethics alongside language and cultural competence. Collaborative
translation, where translators work with cultural informants or native speakers, can improve
cultural accuracy. Peer review and back-translation are also useful quality assurance methods.
Professional translation associations often provide guidelines and best practices for handling
cultural issues.
In conclusion, culture plays a central role in English-Uzbek translation. Translators must
navigate a wide range of cultural elements, from idioms and metaphors to customs and values.
They employ various strategies to bridge cultural gaps and ensure that translations are accurate,
meaningful, and appropriate. Cultural competence, creativity, and ethical awareness are
essential qualities for successful translation. As the world becomes more interconnected, the
importance of culturally informed translation will continue to grow. Understanding and
respecting cultural differences is not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also of promoting
mutual understanding and global communication.
References:
1. Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a Science of Translating. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
2. Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall.
3. Bassnett, S. (2002). Translation Studies (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS
ISSN: 3030-332X Impact factor: 8,293
Volume 12, issue 1, June 2025
https://wordlyknowledge.uz/index.php/IJSR
worldly knowledge
Index:
google scholar, research gate, research bib, zenodo, open aire.
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99
4. Hatim, B., & Mason, I. (1997). The Translator as Communicator. London: Routledge.
5. Vinay, J. P., & Darbelnet, J. (1995). Comparative Stylistics of French and English: A
Methodology for Translation. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
6. Baker, M. (2011). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation (2nd ed.). London:
Routledge.
7. Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
8. House, J. (2015). Translation as Communication across Languages and Cultures. London:
Routledge.
9. Yuldashev, A. (2021). Cultural challenges in English-Uzbek translation: An analytical
approach. Philology and Translation Studies, 6(2), 55–67.
10. Karimova, M. (2023). Cultural adaptation in audiovisual translation: Uzbek experience.
Journal of Language and Culture, 4(1), 18–25.
