American Journal Of Philological Sciences
14
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
14-16
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue07-04
Linguocultural Features in The Process of Translating
Literary Works
Erimbetova Shaxzada Abatbaevna
Doctoral student of Nukus State Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan
Received:
12 May 2025;
Accepted:
08 June 2025;
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract:
This article explores the essential role of linguocultural features in the translation of literary texts.
Translation is not only a linguistic act but also a cultural one, as literature reflects the values, beliefs, and traditions
of its original culture. The paper examines how culture-specific elements
—
such as idioms, humor, metaphors,
and historical references
—
pose challenges in the translation process. It also discusses the major strategies used
by translators, including domestication, foreignization, cultural substitution, and calque. By analyzing selected
literary works and providing real-
world examples, the article highlights the translator’s responsibility to preserve
both the meaning and artistic integrity of the original text. The study concludes that literary translation is a
creative and intercultural process that requires deep cultural awareness, linguistic skill, and ethical sensitivity.
Keywords
: Literary translation, linguocultural features, cross-cultural communication, cultural substitution,
translator’s
ethics, literary adaptation.
Introduction:
Translation is not merely the act of
converting words from one language into another;
rather, it is a complex and delicate process that involves
the transmission of culture, emotion, and meaning. In
literary translation, this challenge becomes even more
intricate due to the embedded cultural elements,
stylistic devices, and authorial voice. Linguocultural
features
—
those aspects of language that are deeply
rooted in cultural context
—
play a significant role in
shaping how literary texts are interpreted and re-
expressed in another language. Consequently,
translators must act not only as linguistic mediators but
also as cultural interpreters. This article aims to explore
the main linguocultural features involved in the
translation of literary works, the strategies used to
handle them, and the potential challenges faced in
maintaining both fidelity and artistic integrity.
First and foremost, it is essential to understand that
language and culture are inextricably linked. Language
serves as a vehicle for cultural expression, while culture
shapes linguistic structures and meanings. In literature,
cultural references are often subtly interwoven
through idioms, metaphors, customs, societal norms,
and historical references. For instance, a phrase like
“Achilles' heel” carries specific mythological meaning
that may be familiar to a Western audience but could
be obscure to readers in other cultural contexts.
Moreover, the literary canon of a particular culture
reflects its worldview, values, and traditions. When
translating such works, especially novels, poems, or
plays, the translator must take into account these
embedded cultural elements to avoid misrepresenting
the author’s intent. Therefore, literary translation is a
form of cross-cultural communication that goes
beyond the lexical level [5, 155-158].
As a matter of fact, one of the key obstacles in literary
translation is the presence of untranslatable or culture-
bound elements. These may include names of festivals,
cuisine, units of measurement, historical allusions, or
proverbs that do not have direct equivalents in the
target culture. For example, the Japanese term "wabi-
sabi" conveys a nuanced aesthetic principle of finding
beauty in imperfection and impermanence
—
an idea
not easily encapsulated in a single English word.
Furthermore, humor, irony, and wordplay present
major challenges. Puns or cultural jokes often rely on
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
15
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
shared knowledge or phonetic similarities that may not
exist in the target language. As a result, translators
must find creative ways to convey similar effects,
sometimes opting for a different joke or a footnote to
preserve the humor while explaining the cultural
context.
In order to address these challenges, translators
employ a range of strategies. One common method is
domestication, where culturally specific elements are
adapted to align with the norms and expectations of
the target audience. For instance, a translator might
replace a reference to “Thanksgiving” with a more
culturally relevant holiday in the target language.
Conversely, the strategy of foreignization retains the
original cultural references to preserve the authenticity
of the text, often with the aid of footnotes or glossaries.
This approach respects the source culture and
encourages readers to engage with unfamiliar
concepts, promoting intercultural understanding. In
addition, the technique of cultural substitution may be
applied. This involves replacing a culturally specific
term with another term from the target culture that
conveys a similar connotation. Meanwhile, calque or
loan translation is used when a phrase or expression is
directly translated word-for-word, which can work if
the structure and meaning remain intact in the target
language [2, 106-110].
To illustrate the application of these strategies, let us
consider the translation of Gabriel García Márquez’s
One Hundred Years of Solitude. The original Spanish
text contains numerous references to Latin American
political and cultural realities. In the English translation,
while some terms are adapted for clarity, many cultural
elements are preserved to retain the novel’s rich Latin
American identity. Another pertinent example is the
Russian novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail
Bulgakov. The text is laden with Soviet-era political
satire and Christian symbolism. Translators have faced
significant difficulties in maintaining the dual-layered
meanings and subtexts without losing the
narrative’s
mystical tone. In such cases, a balance between
domestication and foreignization is essential. Likewise,
in translating poetry, where form and rhythm are
critical, translators often prioritize conveying the
thematic and emotional essence over a literal
translation. For example, translating a haiku may
involve reimagining imagery to fit the cultural
sensibilities of the target audience while retaining the
poem’s brevity and mood.
In light of these challenges, the translator holds both an
ethical and creative responsibility. Ethically, the
translator must strive to remain faithful to the source
text while considering the cultural background of the
readers. Creatively, they must reconstruct the literary
experience, not just the content. This dual role requires
cultural competence, literary sensitivity, and a
profound understanding of both source and target
languages. Moreover, literary translators often make
subjective choices based on their interpretation of the
text. While this introduces an element of individual
influence, it is a necessary part of the process due to
the inherent ambiguity and multiplicity of meanings in
literature [1].
Another crucial aspect that must be emphasized in the
process of translating literary works is the role of
context. Context is not limited to the immediate textual
environment but extends to historical, social, and
cultural settings in which the work was produced.
Without a full understanding of context, even the most
linguistically accurate translation may fail to convey the
intended meaning or emotional resonance. For
instance, literary works written during periods of war,
political upheaval, or cultural transformation often
carry coded messages, satire, or symbolic imagery that
only make sense within that context. A translator who
is unfamiliar with such background information may
misinterpret these signals or miss them entirely. In this
sense, contextual knowledge functions as a lens
through which both the translator and the target
reader can better understand the nuances of the
original work. Additionally, character names, locations,
and dialogue often carry contextual significance. In
certain cultures, names may reflect social status, ethnic
background, or even religious identity. For example, in
Chinua Achebe’s T
hings Fall Apart, the names and
rituals are deeply rooted in Igbo tradition. A translator
must decide whether to preserve these elements in
their original form or explain them within the text,
depending on how familiar the target audience is with
the cultural context. Furthermore, intertextual
references
—
where a text refers to other literary or
historical works
—
demand a high level of contextual
awareness. A biblical reference or allusion to classical
mythology may be easily understood by one audience
but may require explanation or adaptation for another.
In such cases, footnotes, endnotes, or brief in-text
clarifications can enhance understanding without
interrupting the literary flow. Thus, context serves as
both a guide and a framework. It helps the make
informed choices not just about vocabulary and syntax,
but
also
about
tone,
voice,
and
cultural
appropriateness.
The
more
thoroughly
a
ttranslatorranslator immerses themselves in the
context of the source text, the more faithfully and
meaningfully they can reconstruct its essence in the
target language.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, translating literary works is a
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
16
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
multidimensional endeavor that encompasses both
linguistic and cultural translation. Linguocultural
features such as idioms, cultural references, humor,
and historical context require careful handling to
ensure the translated text resonates with the target
audience while honoring the source material.
Translators must navigate between domestication and
foreignization,
creativity
and
fidelity,
making
thoughtful decisions that reflect both the spirit and the
substance of the original work. Ultimately, literary
translation is not only about bridging languages but
also about building cultural bridges, enabling readers to
access, appreciate, and empathize with world literature
across cultural boundaries.
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KUCHSHANOVA, AN, AS KUSHKIMBAYEVA, and M.
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