Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
110
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
110-114
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This article examines the translation of intertextuality and emotive meanings in Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand
Splendid Suns” into Russian and Uzbek. It focuses on how references to other texts and emotional expressions are
adapted to suit the cultural and linguistic contexts of these languages. By analyzing specific passages, the study
highlights the techniques used by translators to retain the novel's cultural depth and emotional impact. This
comparative analysis demonstrates the importance of thoughtful translation in making literary works accessible and
meaningful across different cultures.
KEYWORDS
Translation, intertextuality, emotive meaning, cultural adaptation, literary analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Khaled Hosseini’s novel, “A Thousand Splendid Suns”,
is rich with cultural references and emotional depth,
making it a compelling story for readers worldwide.
Translating such a novel into different languages
presents unique challenges. This paper examines how
intertextuality and emotive meanings in the novel are
translated into Russian and Uzbek. By analyzing
specific examples, we explore the techniques
translators use to convey the story’s cultural and
emotional nuances. The thesis of this paper is that
through careful adaptation, translators can preserve
Research Article
TRANSLATING INTERTEXTUALITY AND EMOTIVE MEANING IN “A
THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS”
Submission Date:
June 20, 2024,
Accepted Date:
June 25, 2024,
Published Date:
June 30, 2024
Crossref doi
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume04Issue06-23
Asadbek Bozorov
Student Of Cuyahoga Community College, Ohio, USA
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
111
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
110-114
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
the novel’s essence while maki
ng it accessible and
relatable to different cultural audiences.
Main part. This section of the paper will compare how
intertextuality is translated into Russian and Uzbek
languages. Intertextuality is when a text references or
draws on another text, adding depth and meaning. In
“A Thousand Splendid Suns”, this is shown through
references to the Quran, which connect the characters
to the broader Islamic tradition and enrich the story.
13. “Mullah Faizullah admitted to Mariam that, at times,
he did not under
stand the meaning of the Koran’s
words. But he said he liked the enchanting sounds the
Arabic words made as they rolled off his tongue. He
said they comforted him, eased his heart.” [1, 13]
14. “Мулла Фатхулла признавался Мариам, что сам
не понимает значения некоторых слов из Корана, но
само их звучание так прекрасно, что они легко
скатываются с языка и облегчают душу.” [2, 15]
15.
“Мулла
Фат
ҳ
улла
қ
изчанинг
нозик
бармо
қ
чаларидан
тутиб
,
унга
ҳ
уснихат
билан
араб
ҳ
арфларининг
ёзилишини
ўргатган
эди
...
”
[3, 16]
Intertextuality is when a text references or draws on
another text, adding depth to its meaning. In “A
Thousand Splendid Suns”, this concept is shown
through references to the Quran. Mullah Faizullah talks
about how he doesn’t fully understand the Quran’s
words but loves their sound and the comfort they
bring. This connects the characters to the Islamic
tradition of appreciating Quranic recitation for its
beauty, beyond just its literal meaning.
The Russian version of the text emphasizes the
soothing eff
ects of the Quran’s language, showing
how the melodic quality of Quranic Arabic is admired
across cultures. Meanwhile, the Uzbek version
expands on this by describing Mullah Faizullah
teaching Mariam Arabic calligraphy, a respected art
form in Islamic cultures. This not only highlights the
script’s beauty but also ties the characters to a valued
cultural practice.
These references in the novel help shape Mullah
Faizullah as a wise and spiritual figure, influencing
Mariam’s views on faith. They link personal
experiences to broader cultural and religious practices,
making the story relatable and rich for readers. This
focus on spiritual comfort and personal interpretation
connects with universal themes in sacred texts,
enhancing the reader’s engagement with th
e
narrative.
The continuation of this paper will focus on how
meaning, specifically logical, emotive and nominative
meanings are depicted in the original text and its
translations into Russian and Uzbek.
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
112
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
110-114
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
19. “How tired their arms and legs must be, she
thought pityingly, pushing that heavy load. She wished
she were allowed to offer them water” [1, 11]
20. “Мариам всегда очень жалела их. Ведь тележка
такая тяжелая, они так с ней намучились, пока
доволокли сюда. Им бы хоть воды подать” [2, 13]
21. “
Қ
изча
акаларига жуда ачинарди. Ахир улар
аравани шу ергача судраб келгунча
қ
анча
қ
ийналишди
экан
?
Лоа
қ
ал
,
уларга
сув
берса
бўларди”
[3, 14]
In the passage from “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, the
translations into Russian and Uzbek handle the text’s
meanings
—
logical, emotional, and nominative
—
in
ways that suit their audiences. Each version reflects
specific cultural preferences for how stories are told.
The logical meaning focuses on the physical exhaustion
of the brothers. The English version mentions their
tiredness in a general way. The Russian translation
details their struggle with the heavy cart, emphasizing
the physical difficulty, which may cater to a preference
for vivid descriptions in Russian narratives. The Uzbek
version also explicitly describes the physical struggle,
ensuring clarity and emphasizing hardship, which
aligns with direct storytelling styles.
Emotionally, the English text connects Mariam’s
feelings directly to her observations by showing her
pity and desire to offer water. The Russian version
implies her empathy more subtly, while the Uzbek
translation explicitly states her emotional response,
possibly reflecting a cultural value on expressing care
and concern openly.
Nominatively, the mention of Mariam’s wish to offer
water is subtle in English but less so in Russian, which
focuses more on the situation than her internal desires.
The Uzbek translation clearly states her intention to
help, resonating with an audience that values explicit
expressions of intent and emotion in literature.
These translation choices are likely made to ensure the
text resonates culturally and emotionally with each
audience. They adjust the balance of logical, emotional,
and nominative expressions to fit cultural expectations
and linguistic preferences, making the narrative
engaging and meaningful in each cultural context.
Emotive Meaning:
22. “Mariam nodded. ‘And no more talk about school.
You’re all I have. I won’t lose you to them. Look at me.
No more talk about school’” [1, 14]
23. “Мариам послушно кивнула. ‘Больше даже не
заикайся насчет школы. Ты —
все, что у меня есть. Я
не отдам тебя им. Посмотри на меня. Не смей
заикаться насчет школы’” [2, 16]
24. “Мар ям жимгина бош ир
ғ
ади
.
‘Яна
бу
ҳ
а
қ
да
о
ғ
из
очганингни
эшитмай
.
Қ
изим
,
аввал
яхшилаб
ўйлаб
кўр
,
ахир
...
’”
[3, 18]
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
113
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
110-114
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
In
the passage from “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, the
dialogue between Mariam and Nana highlights Nana’s
protective but controlling nature. This is conveyed
through expressions of fear, loss, and commands,
emphasizing Nana’s emotional state.
In the English orig
inal, phrases like “You’re all I have”
and “I won’t lose you to them” along with “No more
talk about school” show Nana’s fear of losing Mariam.
The command “Look at me” makes the conversation
more intense, showing the importance of the moment.
The Russian version keeps this emotional intensity but
makes Nana sound even stricter with phrases like
“Dare not talk about school”.
The Uzbek version softens the emotion a bit. It focuses
more on stopping Mariam from talking about school
and suggests she think carefully about her desires,
adding a reflective tone to the conversation.
Besides the emotional content, the dialogue also
includes logical and nominative meanings. Nana
suggests that staying home is safer, showing her
protective instinct. She also defines their relationship
by emphasizing that Mariam is everything to her,
deepening our understanding of their dynamics. These
aspects help explore themes of control, protection,
and autonomy within their cultural and family context.
Conclusion. In conclusion, the
translation of “A
Thousand Splendid Suns” into Russian and Uzbek
shows how translators balance staying true to the
original text while adapting it to fit cultural differences.
By examining how specific phrases and emotional
expressions are translated, we see the complexity of
translating literature. These adaptations help ensure
that the novel’s themes of struggle, resilience, and
human connection reach and resonate with a global
audience. This analysis highlights the importance of
careful translation in making stories accessible and
meaningful across different cultures.
Translating “A Thousand Splendid Suns” into Russian
and Uzbek shows how translators adapt the novel to
different cultural contexts while retaining its
emotional and cultural depth. Intertextual references
to the Quran in the novel highlight the importance of
appreciating the beauty of Quranic recitation beyond
its literal meaning. In Russian, this is emphasized by
describing the soothing effects of the Quran’s
language, while in Uzbek, it is expanded to include
teaching Arabic calligraphy, thus tying the characters
to valued cultural practices.
The analysis of logical, emotional, and nominative
meanings in the text shows how translators adjust the
balance of these elements to fit cultural expectations.
The physical struggle of the characters is described in
detail in Russian, aligning with a preference for vivid
descriptions, while the Uzbek version focuses on clear
and direct storytelling. Emotional expressions are
adapted to reflect cultural values on expressing care
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
114
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
110-114
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
and concern, ensuring the text resonates with each
audience.
By examining how specific phrases and emotional
expressions are translated, we see the complexity of
translating literature. The study highlights the
importance of careful translation in preserving the
novel’s themes of struggle, resilience, and human
connection, making the story accessible and
meaningful to readers across different cultures.
REFERENCES
1.
Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns.
New York, Riverhead Books, 22 May 2007.
2.
Хусейни, Халид. Тысяча сияющих солнц /
перевод Сергея Соколова
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Москва,
Phantom Press, 2009.
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Ҳ
усайний
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Минг
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уёш
шуъласи
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роман
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аср
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https://cantonasylumforinsaneindians.com/his
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day/#:~:text=On%20most%20reservations%2C%
20one%20day,for%20annuities%20paid%20in%20
goods
