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ERRORS IN LITERARY TRANSLATION.
Amrullayeva Maxliyo Abdurahmonovna
Tashkent Academic Lyceum No.2 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the
Republic of Uzbekistan.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14637720
Introduction:
Challenges and Consequences Literary translation is a
nuanced art that involves much more than converting words from one language
to another. A translator must capture the essence, style, cultural context, and
emotional resonance of the original work. However, this complexity often leads
to errors that can affect the story, its characters, or even the meaning of the text.
Key words:
Errors, Translation, Literary, Misinterpretations, complexity,
idiomatic expressions, cultural references
Here’s an exploration of the common errors in literary translation and their
impact. --- 1. Types of Errors in Literary a. Linguistic Errors These occur when a
translator misinterprets or mistranslates words, phrases, or idioms. Example: In
Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, some translations
failed to convey the magical realism tone of certain metaphors, reducing their
impact. Cause: Differences in idiomatic expressions or cultural references that
don’t have direct equivalents in the target language. b. Cultural
Misinterpretations Cultural context is often integral to literature, but
translations can distort or oversimplify these nuances.
Example: In Japanese literature, honorifics and hierarchical nuances are
often lost in English translations, altering character relationships or tone. Cause:
Lack of equivalent cultural constructs in the target language. c. Stylistic Errors
Translators may fail to preserve the author’s unique style, such as their use of
syntax, rhythm, or voice. Example: Poetry translations often face challenges in
maintaining rhyme, meter, and the emotional tone simultaneously. Cause: The
structural differences between languages (e.g., English vs. French) make it
difficult to replicate exact styles. d. Loss of Subtext or Symbolism Authors often
embed subtext or symbolic meanings that may not translate easily.
Example: In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s works, the religious and philosophical
undertones are sometimes simplified or omitted in translations, weakening their
depth. Cause: Ambiguity or multilayered meanings in the source text. e. Over-
Domestication or Foreignization Over-domestication makes the text overly
familiar to the target audience, losing its original cultural essence.
Foreignization, on the other hand, can render the text inaccessible or awkward.
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International scientific-online conference
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Example: Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn often suffers from over-
domestication when translated, diluting its Southern dialects and historical
setting. --- 2. Impact of Translation Errors a. Altered Themes or Messages Errors
can distort the original intent of the author. For instance, mistranslating key
phrases can misrepresent the underlying themes of a work. b. Misrepresentation
of Cultures Poor translations can perpetuate stereotypes or misrepresent
cultural nuances, affecting how readers perceive the source culture. c. Reader
Alienation Inconsistent tone or awkward phrasing can disengage readers,
reducing their ability to connect with the text. d. Historical and Social
Consequences Inaccurate translations of historical or political works can lead to
misunderstandings or misinterpretations of important events or ideologies. ---
3. Famous Examples of Literary Translation Challenges a. The Bible Over
centuries, the Bible has been translated into numerous languages, but slight
differences in word choices have led to theological debates. For example, the
Hebrew word "alma" was translated as “virgin” in some versions, while others
interpret it as “young woman.” b. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Early English translations of The Little Prince were criticized for losing the
poetic and whimsical tone of the original French text. c. War and Peace by Leo
Tolstoy Various translations have either streamlined or preserved Tolstoy’s
original Russian text. Some translators focused on making it more readable,
while others aimed for a more faithful, albeit complex, version. --- 4. Solutions
and Best Practices in Literary Translation a. Collaboration with Cultural Experts
Working with native speakers or cultural scholars can ensure cultural
nuances are accurately conveyed. b. Contextual Understanding A translator
should immerse themselves in the author’s world, understanding not only the
text but also its historical, cultural, and personal contexts. c. Balancing Fidelity
and Creativity A translator must strike a balance between being faithful to the
original text and adapting it creatively for the target audience. d. Iterative
Editing and Feedback Engaging with editors, beta readers, or literary critics can
help refine the translation to ensure quality. ---
Conclusion Errors in literary translation can fundamentally alter a work’s
meaning, tone, and cultural essence, sometimes diminishing its impact.
Translators must navigate linguistic, cultural, and stylistic challenges with care
and creativity. When done well, literary translation opens doors to new worlds
and fosters global understanding; when done poorly, it risks obscuring the
beauty and depth of the original work.
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The list of used literature:
1. ALLEN, Harold B., CAMPBELL, Russell N. Teaching English as a Second
Language: A Book of Readings. 2d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill International,
1972. ISBN 0-07-001071-4.
2. BILLOWS, Frederic Lionel. The techniques of language teaching. London:
Longmans, 1961. 4. BROWN, Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive
Approach to Language Pedagogy. New York: Longman, 2001. ISBN 0130282839.
3. BROWN, H. Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to
Language Pedagogy. New York: Longman/ Pearson Education, 2001. ISBN 0-13-
017816-0.
