https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 6, 2025
63
SEMANTIC AND STYLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
IN TRANSLATION
Sobirjonova Mushtariy Muzaffar kizi
2nd year student of Namangan state institute of foreign languages
Annotation:
This article explores the semantic and stylistic transformations that figurative
language undergoes during translation, with special attention to the Uzbek-English language pair.
It examines how metaphors, idioms, similes, and other stylistic devices are interpreted and
adapted when transferred across languages and cultures. The author analyzes translation
strategies such as paraphrasing, cultural substitution, and semantic compression, which help
maintain the emotional depth and artistic integrity of the source text. Uzbek figurative
expressions rooted in folklore and rural imagery are discussed alongside their English
counterparts to reveal the complexity and creativity involved in rendering culturally rich
language. The findings support the idea that figurative translation is not merely a linguistic
challenge, but a cross-cultural negotiation that requires both linguistic expertise and interpretive
sensitivity.
Keywords:
figurative language, semantic transformation, stylistic adaptation, metaphor
translation, Uzbek-English translation, cultural substitution, translation theory, linguistic
equivalence, artistic expression.
Translation is far more than a technical transposition of words—it is an intricate artistic and
intellectual endeavor that seeks to recreate meaning, tone, and cultural resonance across
linguistic boundaries. Among the most challenging elements in this process is the treatment of
figurative language, which includes metaphors, similes, idioms, personification, and other
stylistic devices that are often deeply rooted in the source culture’s worldview.
Figurative language serves not only as a vehicle for aesthetic beauty but also as a reflection of
cultural identity, emotional nuance, and philosophical depth. However, when such expressions
are transplanted into another language, they frequently undergo semantic and stylistic
transformations. These shifts may involve reimagining metaphors to suit new cultural contexts,
simplifying complex imagery for clarity, or preserving stylistic integrity even at the expense of
literal accuracy.
This article investigates the semantic and stylistic transformations that figurative language
undergoes in the process of translation. It explores how translators navigate the delicate balance
between fidelity to the original text and adaptation for the target audience, analyzing strategies
that preserve or reshape figurative meaning. Through comparative examples and theoretical
insights, the study sheds light on the translator’s role as both linguistic mediator and artistic
interpreter.
Figurative language plays a vital role in expressing cultural identity, emotional depth, and artistic
nuance, making its accurate translation essential for cross-cultural understanding. In the context
of Uzbek-English translation, this task becomes particularly significant due to the rich
metaphorical and idiomatic traditions embedded in Uzbek literature and oral expression. Uzbek
figurative expressions often reflect national values, folklore, and rural imagery, which may not
have direct equivalents in English. As a result, translators must navigate semantic shifts and
stylistic adaptations to preserve the original tone and meaning. For example, metaphors like
“tilidan bol oqqan”
(literally: “honey flows from his tongue”) require creative rendering to
https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 6, 2025
64
convey eloquence in English, such as
“silver-tongued.”
These transformations are not merely
linguistic—they are interpretive acts that shape how cultures perceive one another. Therefore,
studying the semantic and stylistic transformation of figurative language in Uzbek-English
translation is crucial for maintaining literary integrity, fostering intercultural empathy, and
enriching the global appreciation of Uzbek artistic expression.
The translation of figurative language has long been a central focus in both theoretical and
practical domains of linguistics. Initially, figurative expressions such as metaphors, idioms, and
similes were often treated as peripheral embellishments, leading to their simplification or
omission in early translation strategies. However, with the introduction of Conceptual Metaphor
Theory (CMT) by Lakoff and Johnson (1980), figurative language was redefined as a
fundamental cognitive mechanism through which individuals interpret and structure their reality.
This paradigm shift marked a significant turning point in translation studies, placing greater
emphasis on the semantic depth and stylistic integrity of figurative language.
Under this framework, metaphor and other figurative devices are recognized as not only stylistic
flourishes but also culturally embedded expressions. Scholars like Denroche (2022) argue that
language itself is inherently figurative, with meaning shaped by construal and context.
Consequently, translators must do more than match lexical items—they must reconstruct the
“semantic space” of the source text in the target language. This is particularly important in
Uzbek-English translation, where expressions such as
“Ko‘ngli muzdek edi”
(His heart was icy)
or
“Tilidan bal oqqan”
(Honey flows from his tongue) carry nuanced emotional and cultural
meanings not readily translatable without stylistic adaptation.
Mona Baker (2018) identifies four major challenges in translating figurative language: lack of
direct equivalents, contextual variability, idiomatic shifts, and discourse-level differences. To
address these challenges, translators often employ a range of strategies including paraphrasing,
cultural substitution, explanatory glosses, or preservation of metaphorical form. Peter
Newmark’s (1988) taxonomy of metaphor translation remains a cornerstone of this discussion,
offering structured methods that vary from literal translation to adaptation and even omission
depending on the communicative purpose and target audience.
In the Uzbek-English context, preserving stylistic texture and national color becomes a complex
endeavor. Figurative expressions in Uzbek literature often reflect rural life, folklore, and Islamic
traditions—elements that may be unfamiliar to English-speaking readers. Omar (2021) stresses
the importance of cultural sensitivity in this process, advocating for translations that retain poetic
rhythm and emotional resonance even when semantic restructuring is necessary.
Recent studies have also explored the performance of AI tools like ChatGPT in figurative
translation. Although these systems exhibit fluency and coherence, they often struggle with
metaphorical nuance and culture-specific interpretations. As Sahari et al. (2024) demonstrate,
human translators outperform AI in texts rich with figurative language, underscoring the
irreplaceable value of human insight and cultural intuition in literary translation.
Together, these studies affirm that translating figurative language demands more than technical
skill—it requires interpretive judgment, artistic sensibility, and cultural empathy. Understanding
the semantic and stylistic transformations involved in Uzbek-English translation helps ensure
that figurative meaning is not lost, but rather reimagined in a way that resonates with new
audiences while honoring the spirit of the original.
Figurative language, rich in metaphor, idiom, and imagery, often undergoes semantic and
stylistic transformation when translated across languages. These transformations are not merely
linguistic—they reflect cultural adaptation, aesthetic choices, and the translator’s interpretive
skill. In Uzbek-English translation, such shifts are particularly pronounced due to differences in
worldview, poetic tradition, and idiomatic structure.
For instance, the Uzbek expression
“Tilidan bol oqqan”
literally means “Honey flows from his
tongue.” Semantically, it conveys eloquence and charm. In English, the closest stylistic
equivalent would be
“He’s silver-tongued.”
While the metaphorical image changes—from
https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 6, 2025
65
honey to silver—the underlying meaning remains intact. This is a clear example of semantic
substitution paired with stylistic adaptation
.
Another example is
“Ko‘ngli muzdek edi”
, which translates as “His heart was icy.” This
metaphor expresses emotional coldness and detachment. English has a direct stylistic parallel in
“He was cold-hearted.”
Here, the metaphor is preserved both semantically and stylistically,
demonstrating cross-cultural metaphorical alignment
.
More complex transformations occur with culturally embedded idioms. Take
“Esagi bilan
maslahatlashib ish qiladi”
—“He consults with his donkey before making decisions.” This
humorous metaphor implies foolishness or indecision, rooted in rural Uzbek imagery. In English,
a stylistically appropriate rendering might be
“He’s all over the place”
or
“He doesn’t know
what he’s doing.”
The original metaphor is replaced with a culturally familiar idiom, showing
stylistic replacement and semantic generalization
.
Similarly, the Uzbek phrase
“Sochiga oq tushgan har bir tol hayotning bir sabog‘i”
—“Every
white strand in his hair is a lesson from life”—reflects reverence for age and experience. In
English, this might be rendered as
“His gray hair tells stories of experience.”
Though the
metaphor shifts slightly, the emotional and cultural tone is preserved, illustrating semantic
compression with stylistic preservation
.
These examples reveal that figurative language in translation is not static—it evolves to fit the
linguistic and cultural norms of the target audience. Translators must balance fidelity to the
original with creative adaptation, ensuring that the figurative meaning resonates without losing
its poetic or cultural essence.
Figurative language, as a carrier of cultural depth and artistic resonance, presents a unique
challenge in the field of translation. Its transformation across languages is not merely a matter of
linguistic equivalence but a nuanced interpretive process that demands creativity, cultural
awareness, and stylistic sensitivity. In the case of Uzbek-English translation, this complexity
intensifies due to the rich tapestry of Uzbek idiomatic expressions, metaphors, and poetic images
often rooted in folklore, rural life, and spiritual traditions.
Translators must skillfully navigate semantic shifts and stylistic changes to preserve the original
intent and emotional texture of the source text. Whether through metaphor substitution,
paraphrasing, or stylistic reconstruction, the goal remains the same: to maintain the aesthetic and
cultural integrity of figurative language within a new linguistic framework. These
transformations play a crucial role in enabling literary and cultural exchange, offering new
audiences access to the expressive power and artistic spirit of Uzbek literature.
Ultimately, understanding and mastering the semantic and stylistic transformation of figurative
language not only elevates translation practice but also strengthens intercultural dialogue by
honoring the unique voice and worldview embedded within every phrase.
References
1.
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. Metaphors We Live By. – Moscow: Editorial URSS, 2004. –
256 p.
2.
Newmark, P. A Textbook of Translation. – London: Prentice Hall, 1988. – 292 p.
3.
Baker, M. In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. – London: Routledge, 2018. –
346 p.
4.
Denroche, C. Metaphor, Translation, and Communication. – London: Bloomsbury
Academic, 2022. – 208 p.
5.
Omar, S. Cultural Aspects of Metaphor Translation in Uzbek-English Contexts //
Journal of Language and Culture Studies. – 2021. – No. 4(12). – pp. 57–65.
6.
Sahari, N., Akhmedov, R., & Shukurova, L. Human vs. Machine Translation of Uzbek
Idioms: A Comparative Evaluation // Central Asian Journal of Language Studies. – 2024. – Vol.
3(1). – pp. 31–45.
