American Journal Of Philological Sciences
134
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue 03 2025
PAGE NO.
134-137
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue03-34
Exploring the challenges and strategies for translating
Alisher Navoi's literary masterpieces
Bafoyeva Nilufar Salimovna
Navoi state university, teacher, Uzbekistan
Received:
28 January 2025;
Accepted:
28 February 2025;
Published:
31 March 2025
Abstract
:
Navoi’s
creativity deserves great attention in the world of literature. His skillful use of artistic tools, use
of Turkish, Arabic and Persian language expressions, description of events, and at the same time, his approach to
the divine theme with a delicate taste, were clearly demonstrated on a wide scale. At the same time, he fights for
the truth against injustice and superstition, he closely connects the hard life of the working people, traditions, and
the courage of the heroes of the people through one work.
Keywords:
Challenges, Strategies, Alisher Navoi's Literary.
Introduction:
Navoi’s creativity deserves great
attention in the world of literature. His skillful use of
artistic tools, use of Turkish, Arabic and Persian
language expressions, description of events, and at the
same time, his approach to the divine theme with a
delicate taste, were clearly demonstrated on a wide
scale. At the same time, he fights for the truth against
injustice and superstition, he closely connects the hard
life of the working people, traditions, and the courage
of the heroes of the people through one work.
By the way the works of the esteemed Uzbek poet
Alisher Navoi are notable for their profound meaning
and distinctive content, showcasing their uniqueness.
The creation of dictionaries of Navoi’s writings since
the 15th century and their meticulous copying by
calligraphers highlight the global significance of his
work during his lifetime. Analyzing the Arabic
vocabulary within Navoi’s “Saba'i Sayyor,” pa
rt of his
“Khamsa”, reveals more about his spirituality and
worldview. As one delves into the language, a deeper
understanding of enlightenment and culture emerges.
The study of Alisher Navoi’s literature has a lengthy and
intricate history, beginning in the 15th century with the
works of his contemporaries. Over time, the interest in
Navoi’s contributions and legacy evolved into a distinct
academic field. His artistic prowess is evident in his
consistent portrayal of events, meticulous attention to
detail, and the overarching narrative structure.
Notably, Navoi approached the epic “Sabai Sayor” in a
unique manner, using the concept of seven to enrich
the narrative through artistic expression. The character
Bahram serves as a vehicle to illuminate significant
aspects of his era and convey his perspective on those
events.
Indeed, it is not enough to simply translate the works
of Alisher Navoi word for word. His creations contain
deep meanings, cultural context, and artistic
expression. The translator must understand these
aspects and preserve the spirit and style of the work.
The poetry and philosophical ideas in Navoi’s work, as
well as the social and political issues of his time, should
be taken into account during the translation process. As
an example, let’s analyze the first line of the epic
“Saba'i Sayyor”. Navoi skilfully describes the fact that
God has given man a soul, different from other
creatures, language and intelligence, and he mentions
that man is a great being: Ey siposing demakda el tili lol,
Elga til sendin o‘ldi tilga maqol. Sendin insong‘a toru
pudi jasad, Jasad ichra ko‘ngul
-
ko‘ngulda xirad.
“The language of the people is
unable to express your
definition, you gave a language to a person, you gave a
speech, you connected a soul with a mind to a div and
you made a person dear”. A translator must consider
the context of the work, the author's intentions, and
their unique style. For example, in the works of Alisher
Navo’i, there are many symbols, folk traditions, and
historical contexts.
In translation, it is also important to take cultural
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
135
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
differences into account. Some phrases or concepts
may not translate directly into another culture, and in
such cases, the translator needs to think about how to
convey them in the most accurate and understandable
way.
In fact, as Professor Aziz Qayumov noted: “What is
important is that, no matter what issue, event, place
and time Navoi approaches, he puts man in the central
place, he insists that all existence, nature should serve
for man, landscape image is definitely connected with
his recreation”. Аdam erkanda aylamak mavjud, Boʼlsa
mavjud qilmogʼing nobud . You created the non
-
existent man and paid attention to him. It is in your
hands to make a man exist and to destroy him. In the
present passage, he sincerely describes the creation of
man by the grace of God and the departure of man
from this world when God wills. In general, Alisher
Navoi’s work covers religious and worldly issues,
human values, feelings, virtues and vices from a deep
point of view, like a diary of life. Navoi’s creative work,
rich ghazals, priceless epics of educational importance,
works are among the masterpieces of world culture.
Mark Tuton, professor of the University of California
(USA), said at the highly prestigious international
conference on Navoi’s creative heritage held in Berlin,
Germany: “When I started studying Navoi’s creative
heritage, I was convinced o
f how great a genius he is” .
Initially, Navoi’s poetry was translated into Western
European languages, with English translations only
recently gaining traction. The appeal of his ghazals was
foreign to British audiences, leading to skepticism
about
their
acceptance.
Consequently,
many
translation efforts fell short, with some resulting in
prose adaptations rather than true poetic forms.
However, interest in Eastern ghazals is on the rise in
Western Europe and America, prompting the
emergence of English-language poets inspired by this
genre. A notable collection published in 2000 by the
University of Westland featured contributions from
over 150 American poets, reflecting the growing
appreciation for this style.
METHODOLOGY
When translating the works of Alisher Navoi, several
important aspects need to be considered:
1. Cultural Context
: Navoi’s works reflect the rich
heritage of Uzbek and Turkic culture. It is crucial to
preserve these cultural elements during the translation
process.
2. Style and Tone: Navoi employs a distinctive style and
lyrical tone in his works. The translator should strive to
maintain this style.
3. Target Audience
: It is essential to consider who the
translation is intended for. If the work is being
translated for academic purposes, attention must be
paid to terminology and precise expressions.
4. Reworking
: Some flexibility can be allowed in the
translation process. It may be beneficial to express
certain phrases or images more clearly in the target
language.
5. Annotations
: The translator may provide
explanations for complex or culturally specific concepts
within the work, which can help the reader understand
better.
Overall, it is important to preserve the deep meanings
and aesthetic beauty of Navoi’s works when translating
them.
Alisher Navoi is a renowned scholar whose unique
works have been translated into numerous languages,
making them accessible to a global audience. His
writings are cherished not only in Eastern cultures but
also in Western societies, with translations available in
Russian, English, German, French, and many others.
These translations allow people from various nations to
appreciate his invaluable literary heritage, and in some
places, statues of Navoi have been erected as a tribute
to his legacy. This article also highlights some of the
wisdom found in Navoi’s “Mahbub ul
-
qulub” and
discusses the challenges faced in translating his works,
along with potential solutions and the contrasts
between Eastern and Western literature.
In this context, the translator Navoi’s
works, Geldiyeva
Khursanoy, emphasizes the importance of meaning in
translating Navoi’s texts while also maintaining her
own style. She presents the following versions of
Navoi’s works.
Some aphorisms and translations of Alisher Navoi in
“Mahbub ul
-
qulub”
Alisher Navoiy hikmatli so‘zlari Aphorisms of Alisher
Navoi
1.
Har g‘ayinki tirikligida ehsonidin ko'ngillarni
shod qilamag‘ay, o‘lgandan so‘ng ani kimsa duo bilan
yod qilmag‘ay.
Let no one rejoice in the bounty of his bounty during his
lifetime, and let no one remember him with a prayer
after his death.
2.
Odam tili bilan boshqa hayvonlardan
imtiyozlidir.
Human is privileged from the other animals by his
superior language.
3.
Uning tili orqali boshqa odamlardan afzalligi
bilinadi.
His superiority over other people is known through his
language.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
136
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
4.
Til shuncha sharafi bilan nutqning qurolidir.
Language is a weapon of speech with so much honor.
5.
Agar nutq noma’qul bo‘lib chiqsa nutqning
ofatidir.
If the speech turns out be inconvinent, it is a disaster of
speech.
6. Yomon so‘zki kelib jong‘a urgay, jondan ham o‘tib
iymonga urg‘ay.
Let the evil word come and strike, and let the soul strike
with faith.
7. Vafosizdir zamon ahli, zamonda ne vafo bo'lg'ay, vafo
ahli gar bulardin vafo istar, erur nodon.
The people of the time are unfaithful, so why there is
faith in the time, if devoted people want to being
faithfulness from the time, they are ignorant.
8. Gulda vafo yo‘qin qayu bir qushki angladi, Hargiz vafo
guli tilamas daxr bog‘idin.
The bird realized that there was no fidelity in the
flower, then this bird never wish for the flower of
fidelity.
9. Kishikim qilsa olimlarga ta’zim, andoqki qilur
payg‘ambarga ta’zim.
If a man bows to the scholars, it means at that moment
he also bows to the prophet.
10. Yosh bolani juda kichik yoshidan boshlab
tarbiyalamoq zarur.
It is necessary to upbringing a young child from an
extremely early age.
11.
Tarbiya insonga o‘zida yaxshi odat va fazilatlar
hosil qilishda yordam beradi.
Discipline helps a person to develop good habits and
qualities.
12.
Odami ersang demagil odami, onikim yoʻq xalq
g‘amidin g‘ami.
Do not boast that you are human, live humbly with the
suffering of the people.
13.
Vatan tarkin bir nafas aylama, yana ranji
g‘urbat havas aylama.
Do not abandon your fatherland even a second, by the
way you will suffer from homesickness, loneliness.
14.
Noxush xabarni chin bo‘lsa ham do‘stingga
yetkazma.
Do not tell your friend the bad news, even if it is true.
15.
Birovdan ayb ko‘rsang yuziga solma. If you find
someone guilty of something, do not. Qo‘yaver o‘sha
chin xabarni dushman yetkazsin va sen sabr qil, u ayb
mojarosini dushman qilsin.
Let the enemy deliver that true massage and you be
patient, let him make the conflict of guilt the enemy.
16.
Ilm, Navoi
y senga maqsul bil, Edimki ilm o‘ldi,
amal aylagil.
Knowledge, Navoi, know that it is blessing to you which
given by Allah, implement your theories.
17.
Ey Navoiy taqdirdan neki bolsa itoat et zero,
falak ham tangri izni oldida ojizdir.
O Navai, obey your destiny no matter what, for the
heavens are helpless before thepermission of God.
18. Aysh Navoiy necha dilkashdurur, lek adad birla hayo
xushdurur.
Pleasure, Navai, so amusement, but it means
destruction your modesty and mind.
19. Yo‘q hunari yolg‘iz esa
yuz kishi, qayda kishi sonida
yolg‘iz kishi.
No profession is a hundred people alone, where the
number of people is the only person put it on his or her
face.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The translation of Alisher Navoi’s
works holds a
significant position in translation studies. Each piece,
from brief aphorisms to extensive writings, presents its
own unique challenges. While diligent and responsible
translators
can
successfully
translate
Navoi’s
aphorisms, rubai, and larger works, translating his
ghazals proves to be particularly difficult. Navoi’s work
exemplifies a rich subtlety and philosophical depth that
can resonate with English readers, highlighting the
urgent need for translators to effectively convey this
artistic richness. Additionally, there is a pressing need
to advance translation studies to focus on preserving
the tone and rhythm of his poetry.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Alisher Navoi is a distinguished scholar
with global recognition. His works have not only
become essential to Eastern literature but have also
found a place in the hearts of Western readers. While
many of his writings have been translated into various
languages, the challenge remains with his ghazals,
which have seen limited translation so far.
Nevertheless, the number of translated works is
gradually
increasing,
indicating
a
growing
understanding and appreciation of Navoi’s ghazals.
Translating the masterpieces of Alisher Navai is a
complex task that goes beyond mere word-for-word
translation. It requires an understanding of cultural
nuances, artistic expression, and historical context. By
employing thoughtful methods and maintaining a focus
on the integrity of the original works, translators can
bridge linguistic divides and bring these timeless
masterpieces to new audiences.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
137
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
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Baber: Babur - Emperor of Hindustan.
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London., 1826.
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432 р.
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