ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
THE ROLE OF CULTURAL CONTEXT IN TRANSLATION ACCURACY
Karimova Tamannoxon Bahromjon qizi
1st year student of the Faculty of Tourism and Economics, Foreign Language
and Literature, Kokand University
Holdarova Nodiraxon Husanboy qizi
teacher of World Languages Department, the faculty of Tourism
and Economics, Kokand University
Abstract:
This topic emphasizes that translation should not only be a literal translation, but also an
understanding and consideration of cultural differences. Each language may have its own customs,
values, idioms, and forms of humor. If the translator ignores these cultural elements, the translation
may be inaccurate or unclear. Therefore, the accuracy and naturalness of the translation depends on
a correct understanding of the cultural context. In this article, I will explain how cultural context
plays a huge role in translation and can even be an important bridge between different nationalities.
Keywords:
Cultural context, translation accuracy, self-explanatory, expression, understanding,
irony, sarcasm, meme, equivalence, transculturation.
Аннотация.
В этой теме подчеркивается, что перевод должен быть не только буквальным
переводом, но и пониманием и учетом культурных различий. Каждый язык может иметь
свои собственные обычаи, ценности, идиомы и формы юмора. Если переводчик игнорирует
эти культурные элементы, перевод может быть неточным или неясным. Поэтому точность и
естественность перевода зависят от правильного понимания культурного контекста. В этой
статье я объясню, как культурный контекст играет огромную роль в переводе и даже может
быть важным мостом между разными национальностями.
Ключевые слова.
Культурный контекст, точность перевода, самоочевидный, выражение,
понимание, ирония, сарказм, мем, эквивалентность, транскультурация.
Annotatsiya.
Bu mavzu tarjimaning nafaqat so‘zma-so‘z tarjimasi, balki madaniy farqlarni
tushunish va hisobga olish ham bo‘lishi kerakligiga urg‘u beradi. Har bir tilning o’ziga xos urf-
odatlari, qadriyatlari, idiomalari va hazil shakllari bo’lishi mumkin. Agar tarjimon ushbu madaniy
elementlarga e’tibor bermasa, tarjima noto’g’ri yoki tushunarsiz bo’lishi mumkin. Shuning uchun
tarjimaning aniqligi va tabiiyligi madaniy kontekstni to’g’ri tushunishga bog’liq. Ushbu maqolada
men madaniy kontekst tarjimada qanday katta rol o’ynashini va hatto turli millatlar o’rtasida
muhim ko’prik bo’lishi mumkinligini tushuntiraman.
Kalit so’zlar.
Madaniy kontekst, tarjimaning aniqligi, o‘z-o‘zini tushuntirish, ifodalash, tushunish,
ironiya, kinoya, mem, ekvivalentlik, transkulturatsiya.
Introduction
The translation process is quite complex and requires a deep understanding of context. Context is,
in fact, the backbone of any successful translation. It is needed to make sure that the original
meaning, tone, and intent of the text are preserved. Translation also helps to promote cultural
exchange and understanding. By translating literature, films, and other cultural works, people can
learn about and appreciate the cultural traditions and values of different societies. This can help to
break down cultural barriers and promote mutual respect and understanding.
Methods
What is cultural context?
ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
To begin with, we need to understand the meaning of cultural context and what it has to do with
translation accuracy. Cultural context is the spiritual and cultural environment consisting of the
cultural values, traditions, religious beliefs, and historical experiences of a particular society or
people. It determines how people communicate, understand each other, and make decisions. This
means that even if you are fluent in another language, if you do not know about the culture of that
people, you will not be able to achieve close relations with that nation.
When it comes to translation accuracy, it refers to the understanding of the reader from the
source language to the target language. It is also about the correctness of the target language so that
readers can easily understand the meaning. The target text should be entirely free from spelling
mistakes and grammatical errors. The text should use proper conventions for measurements, dates,
and addresses. The translation should retain the style and tone of the source materials. The text
should reflect appropriate and modern uses of the target language. Also translating effectively has
to do with cultural intelligence just as much as it has to do with knowledge of grammar and syntax.
It ensures that translations are meaningful and respectful. This guarantees good communication
and mutual respect across different cultures.
As mentioned above, cultural context is the significant part of this field, as it determines the
accuracy of the translation and the correct interpretation of the text. Ultimately, the importance of
culture in translation is that it emphasizes how tradition and geographic origin impact the context
of language. When practicing translation, it is vital to be sensitive to the moral and spiritual values
of words to find the most accurate equivalents in the new language. The expressions that are
simple and self-explanatory to one nation may be unknown to another. When translating the same
expression into another language, the translator must take into account not only the language but
also the cultural context of the expression.
For example, the uzbek expression "to fill one's stomach with empty nuts" (“qo’ynini puch
yong’oqqa to’ldirmoq”) has nothing to do with nuts. That is, it refers to deceiving someone with
empty promises. Similarly, the English expression "to break a leg" does not imply any violence,
but rather it is used to wish other people good luck.
Cultural diversity in translation
Now that I've informed you about cultural context, what it is, and its purpose, let's discuss what
exactly constitutes this context. Also we need to learn about cultural differences in translation:
Cultural diversity refers to the variety of cultural expressions, practices, and identities that exist
within a society or community. It encompasses the different backgrounds, languages, traditions,
and beliefs that shape individuals and groups. It, the cultural barriers, is one of the greatest
challenges in translation. As language is not only a system of grammar and vocabulary — it is
deeply connected to the culture of its speakers. Expressions such as idioms, irony, jokes, and
modern memes often carry meanings that are not directly translatable. They require not only
linguistic knowledge, but also an understanding of the source culture's values, history, and humor.
Idioms are a common cultural barrier. For example, the English idiom “let the cat out of the bag”
means “to reveal the secret”, but if translated literally into another language, it may confuse readers
because it seems to be about a pet. The same to “kick the bucket”, it means “to die,” but without
cultural knowledge, one might assume it refers to a physical action involving a bucket. Irony and
sarcasm are also baffling to translate because they often depend on tone, cultural expectations, and
shared background knowledge. For instance, saying “Oh, great!” after receiving bad news, it has a
negative meaning, rather than positive. Translating this literally might result in misunderstanding.
ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
Memes and internet humor represent a new and rapidly changing type of cultural language. A
meme like “This is fine” with a cartoon dog surrounded by fire, It humorously represents denial or
pretending everything is okay in a bad situation. However, without knowledge of the original
comic strip or the sarcastic tone, non-English audiences may misunderstand the meaning or fail to
see the humor. Also internet slang and abbreviations, such as “LOL,” “Karen,” or “slay”, also
present cultural difficulties. These terms are often generational, evolve quickly, and may carry
hidden connotations. Translators must decide whether to leave the term untranslated, adapt it, or
provide explanations.
Real-life examples show how cultural misunderstanding can lead to mistranslation. A famous
case was the example that is Pepsi’s slogan “Come alive with the Pepsi generation”. In Chinese, it
translated to “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave”. These errors highlight the
importance of cultural awareness. Failing to consider cultural nuances can lead to unintended and
sometimes embarrassing results. Accurate translation goes beyond words, capturing the cultural
essence. In short, cultural barriers in translation are complex and require more than language
proficiency. They demand cultural sensitivity, contextual awareness, and creative problem-solving
to maintain accuracy and meaning.
To handle cultural context translation must involve particular strategies
When translators encounter culturally-bound elements in a text, they must make careful decisions
to preserve meaning and impact. There is no single perfect way to translate cultural concepts, but
several established strategies can help reduce misunderstanding and maintain communicative
effectiveness.
These include:
Adaptation
Finding equivalence
Explanation
Transculturation
Adaptation
involves changing a cultural reference in the source text to one that is more familiar
to the target audience. This is especially useful when the original reference has no direct equivalent
in the target culture. For instance, English “Thanksgiving dinner” might be received as a
“traditional holiday meal” in cultures where Thanksgiving is unknown. Though the cultural
specificity is reduced, the original meaning is preserved. Another example is the translation of
“Harry Potter” books. Translators had to adapt British cultural references to make them
understandable and relatable to international readers. Effective literary translation maintains the
original’s charm and context, making stories accessible to a global audience. Adaptation is
commonly used in subtitling films, advertisement, and literature aimed at mass audiences.
Equivalence
means finding a phrase that performs a similar function in their languages, even
though the words are different. For example, the English phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs” can be
translated into Uzbek as “Yomg‘ir quyib yog‘yapti” — although the image changes, the intensity
of the rain remains the same. Equivalence requires a deep understanding of both languages
and cultures.
Explanation
is used when there is no natural equivalent and the concept needs to be clarified.
This is often used in academic or literary translations. For example, the Korean term "sunbae"
(senior at school or work) can be translated as "senior colleague" or even explained by the cultural
context. This strategy may slightly disrupt the order of the text, but it preserves the original term
while ensuring understanding.
ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
Transculturation
goes beyond simple word substitution. That is, it involves reconstructing the
message so that it appears within the target culture and reflects the essence of the source culture.
This is commonly seen in literary or poetic translation. For example, when translating a poem from
Persian or Chinese into English, the translator may change the imagery or structure to convey the
same emotional weight, even though the words themselves may differ. Transculturation is a
creative and interpretive act that requires both linguistic and artistic skill.
Each of these strategies has strengths and weaknesses, and skilled translators often combine them
depending on the context, audience, and purpose of the text. The ultimate goal is not only linguistic
accuracy, but cultural clarity — enabling the reader to access meaning in a way that feels natural
while remaining faithful to the source.
Understanding with examples
Here I want to give you some examples in the hope of your better understanding:
Idiomatic expressions.
English idiom
Literal translation
Equivalent in uzbek
Kill two birds with one stone Bitta tosh bilan ikki qushni
urish
Bir o’q bilan ikki quyonni
urish
Hit the nail in the head
Boshga mix qoqmoq
To’g’risini aytmoq
Under the weather
Ob-havo ostida
Avzoyi buzuq
(kayfiyati yo’q)
Every cloud has a silver
lining
Har bulutda kumush mato
bor
Har ishda bir hikmat bor
Bounce off the walls
Devorlarning sakrashi
O’g’zi qulog’ida bo’lmoq
(juda xursand)
1-table
Results
A piece of advice for translators and language learners
Understanding and navigating cultural context is essential not only for professional translators
but also for language learners whose main purpose is communicating effectively in a foreign
language. It is a mistake for both groups to rely solely on vocabulary and grammar to properly
understand the values, humor, idioms, and worldview of that language.
In this article, although I don't have much experience, I would like to provide some practical
advice for translators. Professional translators must approach each text with cultural sensitivity and
critical thinking. For official documents, literal translations may be sufficient, but creative texts
such as literature, advertising, and humor need to be understood by the general public. If this is not
done, their translation will be meaningless.
Translators are advised to:
Research cultural sources before translating. Understanding the background will help you
choose the right equivalent or explanation.
Also consider who your translation is aimed at. Are the readers familiar with the meaning,
or do they need additional context?
Use footnotes or glossaries when necessary, especially in academic or literary texts, to
maintain meaning without overwhelming the reader.
Collaborate with native speakers or cultural advisors when in doubt on topics of public
importance.
ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
Stay up-to-date with the latest in vocabulary, language slang, and internet jokes.
For language learners, cultural knowledge is a powerful tool for improving communication skills
and avoiding misunderstandings. Idioms, gestures, humor, and even politeness norms are unique to
different cultures. Without cultural context, learners may misinterpret messages and fail to convey
their thoughts effectively to the listener. This creates a great opportunity for them to be
embarrassed.
And here are some tips for language learners:
Studying idioms and proverbs provides insight into how native speakers think and behave,
and their lifestyles.
Watching movies, reading books, or following social media in that language can help you
naturally absorb cultural topics.
By comparing the traditions and customs of their own country and the country where the
language is being learned, the learner can become a more flexible and respectful interlocutor.
And most beneficially, traveling greatly contributes to a learner's deeper understanding of a
culture and mastery of that language.
In summary, both translators and learners need to see language as a large part of culture. Without
this awareness, language learning and translation will remain superficial and the risk of
miscommunication is high.
Discussion
Cultural context plays a direct and important role in the accuracy of translation. Translating
words without understanding the culture behind them can lead to a complete loss of meaning and
even to interethnic conflict. Therefore, translators must be not only linguists, but also cultural
interpreters and strong bridge builders between different peoples.
Cultural knowledge enhances the quality and depth of meaning of any translation. Phrases,
humor, religious references, and historical events, especially when dealing with languages as
culturally distinct as English and Uzbek, require careful consideration. As globalization continues
to strengthen the bonds of friendship between cultures, the demand for cultural translation will
only grow.
For both professional translators and language learners, investing in cultural competence is not
optional, but essential. The better you understand a language, the easier it is to understand people,
and that starts with their culture.
List of used literature:
1.
https://repository.stkippacitan.ac.id/id/eprint/1185/3/Book%20Chapter_2021_Translation%20Ac
curacy%20of%20Online%20Dictionary.pdf
2.
https://renaissance-translations.com/accurate-translation-why-is-accuracy-so-important/
3.
https://www.kent.edu/mcls/translation-ma/blog/practicing-cultural-translation
4.
5. Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall.
6. Baker, M. (1992). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. London: Routledge.
7. Hatim, B., & Mason, I. (1997). The Translator as Communicator. London: Routledge.
8. Katan, D. (2004). Translating Cultures: An Introduction for Translators, Interpreters and
Mediators. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.
9. Nord, C. (2005). Text Analysis in Translation: Theory, Methodology, and Didactic Application
of a Model for Translation-Oriented Text Analysis. Amsterdam: Rodopi.
10. Internetlinguistics.org. (n.d.). Understanding Memes and Language. Retrieved from
ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI JURNALI
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02, IYUN 2025
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE NASHRIYOTI
worldlyjournals.com
11.
Cambridge
Dictionary
Online.
Idioms
and
Phrases.
Retrieved
from
https://dictionary.cambridge.org
12. Uzbek-English idiomatic usage examples. (n.d.). Lingvoforum and Uzbeklanguage.org
